China’s importance in the MBA market grows

Businessweek states seven Chinese schools and programs that drive the boom in the Asian country. These are CEIBS, Tsinghua University, Guanghua School of Management, Antai College of Economics and Management, the Beijing International MBA at Peking University, Fudan University, and the Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business.

These schools attract 30 to 40 per cent international students - each of them has to have a minimum of 5-7 years of work experience. The programs span from 18 to 24 months. The rising success of these Asian programs seems to stem from a clever cooperation with other renowned international faculties like Wharton and Sloan for example. The main drive for many international students is to explore opportunities in China after graduating with an MBA. The CEIBS Career Report for the Class of 2010 for example found that 50 per cent of its international graduates decided to take job offers in China. So far it has been mainly international companies being able to afford MBA graduates but the successful development of Chinese domestic firms could see a shift in the future.

Most participants of these MBA programs spend time not only in China but also overseas. Students of the BiMBA (Beijing International MBA at Peking University) for example travel overseas on research trips, often finish a dual-degree at Fordham University and spend an intensive five weeks studying finance in New York. Other special features of the BiMBA are character developing studies like a stint with Buddhist monks who teach the students Zen meditation.

Sources:  http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/dec2010/bs2010123_503852.htm
http://www.businessweek.com/bschools/content/dec2010/bs2010121_360753_page_2.htm
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/93240/20101217/china-mba-international.htm