CEIBS Launches Part-time Finance MBA Programme
- Preparing Future Leaders of China's Financial Sector
|
|
| November 1, 2011. Shanghai -- The China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) today officially announced the launch of its 21-month Part-time Finance MBA (FMBA), CEIBS' first-ever specialized MBA programme. The FMBA expands on the school's current offerings of a full-time 18-month MBA, a 24-month part-time EMBA and Executive Education programmes. The announcement was made at a press conference at CEIBS-Lujiazui International Financial Research Centre (CLFC), located in Lujiazui -- Shanghai's financial hub. More than 30 domestically- and internationally-renowned media organizations covered the event. CEIBS Executive President Prof. Zhu Xiaoming, Vice President & Dean Prof. John A. Quelch, and Vice President & Co-Dean Prof. Zhang Weijiong were among the school officials who attended the press conference, which was chaired by Director of the CEIBS FMBA Programme Prof. Zhao Xinge. Also during the event, CEIBS Professor of Economics and Finance and a member of the new FMBA Programme's faculty team Dr. Xu Xiaonian delivered a speech on "Financial Research in the Eye of the Financial Crisis". In his welcome address, President Zhu spoke of the national importance of ongoing efforts to establish Shanghai as an international financial centre (IFC) by 2020, and the role that CEIBS FMBA will play in this initiative. He explained that the programme -- first conceived in October 2007 -- was being launched in order to build a talent pipeline that will develop the high-calibre, globally competitive individuals needed to transform Shanghai into an IFC. President Zhu added that, according to China's 12th 5-Year Plan, there was a significant shortage of finance talents needed for this transformation. "Our method was to take a stable approach to launching this programme, first establishing the CLFC, the CLFC forums etc. Now all the pieces are in place, we have accumulated enough experience and we have a wealth of knowledge to share via our FMBA," he said. "This is the right time for us to launch this specialised programme." Next, Dean Quelch spoke about what differentiated the CEIBS FMBA from similar programmes on the market. In addition to teaching the technical aspects of finance, the CEIBS programme will also offer courses in general management, to create well-rounded graduates who are both strong in finance and capable of leading at the management level, he said. In that regard the course, he said, was unique in its ability to offer "Finance Depth, Management Breadth", part of CEIBS' wider positioning as the only b-school that provides "China Depth, Global Breadth". "This part-time FMBA is an important initiative for CEIBS," he said. "We believe our expertise in China Depth, Global Breadth equips us especially well to provide the best part-time FMBA programme in Shanghai!" Another element that made the CEIBS FMBA stand out, he said, was the inclusion of a module at London Business School. "Our global breadth connections enable us to leverage LBS to the advantage of students enrolled in the FMBA," Dean Quelch added. "We may not be the first in Shanghai to offer a part-time MBA but we will be the best!" He explained that CEIBS had gathered a team of excellent faculty from the field of finance for the new FMBA. The programme is tailored to meet the needs of high-potential, mid-level managers in financial institutions, or those from other industries with work that involves financial management, he added. Guiding individuals as they develop comprehensive abilities, solid knowledge of finance, and a strong command of managerial skills, the establishment of the FMBA Programme is a mark of CEIBS' commitment to cultivating future leaders of China's financial sector, Dean Quelch explained. During the Q&A section, Vice President Prof. Zhang Weijiong fielded questions on topics such as the cost of the FMBA versus CEIBS' full-time MBA programme, and how CEIBS aims to deal with the issue of competition from similar programmes. Vice President Zhang explained that the LBS overseas module was the main reason for the higher price of the FMBA, and that there was no direct competition with other schools because of the CEIBS FMBA's unique positioning of "Finance Depth Management Breadth". In providing an overview of the new programme, Prof. Zhao Xinge announced that the first group of students in the CEIBS FMBA Programme will begin classes in September 2012, and the school will begin accepting applications from November 2011. The course will last 21 months, with tuition and fees at RMB 398,000. For the first class, 45-50 students will be admitted. Courses will be offered two weekends (Saturday and Sunday) per month at the CEIBS campus in Jinqiao or CLFC in Lujiazui. Prof. Zhao added that the key strengths of the programme include: First, customization and specialization is the most important quality that sets the CEIBS FMBA Programme apart from the rest. This can be seen both in terms of curriculum design and in applicant selection. The programme targets senior and middle-level managers of financial institutions and those in other industries whose work involves financial management. The most relevant financial courses will be offered on the basis of the industries in which students are involved, while the general management course will be tailored to incorporate content and cases related to the financial industry. The admission process emphasizes applicant background in order to identify the top echelon that best represents the elite of financial institutions and in financial divisions from other industries. The interaction between the most talented students and experienced instructors will ensure an unparalleled learning experience with long-lasting benefits. Second, based on the school's positioning of "China Depth, Global Breadth", the CEIBS FMBA Programme focuses on the China market from an international perspective. Given both the current status and future trends of China's financial market, the curriculum design is a combination of practical financial theories and real-world case studies. In addition to delivering courses that emphasize international competence, a one-week overseas module will be held at the London Business School so students will have a chance to study cutting-edge financial theories at one of the world's premier business schools, and learn best practices through visits to well-known financial institutions. Third, CEIBS FMBA Programme boasts an all-star faculty team. The staff consists of a number of CEIBS' internationally-renowned professors in finance, economics and accounting, including Prof. Xu Xiaonian, Prof. Ding Yuan, Prof. Huang Ming, and Prof. Stephen Roach. In addition, various business leaders will be invited to the classroom to share their experiences with students. Fourth, CEIBS FMBA Programme embodies the school's motto of "Conscientiousness, Innovation, and Excellence". Future leaders of China's financial sector should be both disciplined and innovative and, through two years of study in a well-managed rigorous academic environment, students will be able to capture the values of this motto. Instead of the traditional one-way-flow in knowledge transmission, the school creatively builds an open communication platform for all students to share and sharpen insights and ideas. Finally, CEIBS has an active and influential global network of alumni. The CEIBS FMBA Programme provides students with access to knowledge exchange and networking with all members of the extended CEIBS community. As of 2011, CEIBS had nearly 11,000 alumni, and the CEIBS Alumni Association had 39 regional chapters in mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and other regions of the world. To meet their demands for career development and networking, CEIBS alumni have established 39 clubs and associations, including CEIBS Alumni Finance & Investment Club, CEIBS Alumni Private Equity Association, CEIBS Alumni Entrepreneur Club, CEIBS Alumni Association of Real Estate & Construction, CEIBS Alumni Auto Industry Club, CEIBS Alumni E-Commerce Association, CEIBS Humanities Club, CEIBS Environmental Protection Schoolmate Association, CEIBS Alumni Golf Club, etc. CEIBS' impressive alumni base includes 1000+ CEOs and top-level decision makers. |
