Business school honors first Shanghai MBA graduates

The groundbreaking W. P. Carey MBA Shanghai program marked a historic moment on June 4 when it honored its first graduating class. The class of 2005, 64 strong, represents a cross-section of China’s most prestigious executives and government leaders, including CEOs from Shanghai Airlines and Baosteel, as well as executives from financial institutions, utility companies, high-ranking government and regulatory agencies and Shanghai city government.

The W. P. Carey School of Business is the first U. S. business school to partner with the People's Republic of China to establish an MBA program for senior government officials and executives who oversee Shanghai’s financial markets. Unlike online degree programs offered in China by other U. S. universities, the Shanghai MBA program is delivered face-to-face in Mandarin and English by professors from top U. S. business schools.

“ This unique partnership between ASU’s W. P. Carey School and the People’s Republic of China demonstrates our drive to practice what we teach by developing international partnerships in education and creating innovative approaches to growing the global economy,” said W. P. Carey School of Business dean, Robert Mittelstaedt.

The Shanghai MBA program was developed in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance, and is delivered in collaboration with the Shanghai National Accounting Institute. The Ministry of Finance sought an alliance with the W. P. Carey School in developing the Shanghai program because of the school’s success with the W. P. Carey MBA Beijing program. Launched in 1998, W. P. Carey MBA Beijing prepares high potential Chinese managers for advancement at Motorola China.

According to Buck Pei, associate dean for Asia Programs, “Shanghai is the economic and financial center of China, and it’s where technology, bio-tech software engineering and other high growth sectors will evolve. To take its place in the global marketplace, China must prepare its state-owned businesses to succeed internationally. The W. P. Carey MBA Shanghai brings international business theories and practices to the leaders who will guide China’s global business development.”

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Photos: Wu Hong

First photo: China’s first astronaut, Yang Liwei, visited ASU’s exhibit and was invited to visit ASU. Pictured left to right are ASU Vice President Jonathan Fink, Liwei, ASU professors Jennie Si and Phil Christensen.

Second photo: High ranking government officials, including Madam Chen Zhili (far right in photo beside ASU Professor Jennie Si), toured the ASU exhibit during the opening ceremonies.

Third photo: Members of the W.P. Carey Shanghai MBA Class of 2005 pose with ASU President Michael Crow, who conferred their degrees in June.

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