BEIJING, Dec. 6, 2024 — The 2024 CNR MBA Education Awards Ceremony, themed “Building an Education Powerhouse, Empowering National Prosperity Through Management”, convened Thursday, drawing over 200 policymakers, academics, and industry leaders from more than 100 business schools nationwide. Jointly hosted by China National Radio (CNR)and the China MBA Education Network, the event centered on strategies to advance China’s educational governance and cultivate management talent.
Key agenda items included keynote speeches, panel discussions among business school deans and MBA program directors, and the release of the 2024 Business Education Tribute List. Discussions highlighted practical approaches to talent development, innovation in curriculum design, and collaboration between academia and industry.
Notable attendees included Mr. Wang Chichang, former Director-General of the Ministry of Education’s Department of Higher Education and a preeminent architect of China’s tertiary education policy framework; Ms.WangPing, Secretary-General of the National MBA Education Steering Committee and Director of the Professional Degree Administration Office at the China Academic Degrees and Graduate Education Development Center (CDGDC); and Prof. Chen Xiaofang, Dean of Wuhan University of Technology’s School of Management, who presented actionable strategies for integrating scientific innovation ecosystems into MBA competency models.
The ceremony conferred honors upon institutions and individuals spearheading transformative advancements in management education, presenting three flagship awards: “Leading Figure in Business Education”, “Top Ten Business Educators of the Year”, and“Outstanding MBA Business School”—benchmarks designed to propel pedagogical innovation and operational excellence across the sector.
A standout recipient, Wuhan University of Technology’s MBA program, secured the “2024 Model MBA Institution of the Year” distinction for its industry-aligned curriculum design that systematically develops leadership agility, scientific research translation capabilities, and strategic decision-making prowess. DeanChenXiaofang’sconcurrent recognition as a “Leading Figure” underscored her pivotal role in redefining engineering-driven management education aligned with national technological priorities.
In a related recognition, Dean Chen Xiaofangwas honored with the“2024 Business Education Luminary” title, cementing her status as an architect of China’s management education evolution through industry-aligned curriculum design.
Following the ceremony, Dean Chen Xiaofang shared insights on the evolution of MBA education in the new era during an exclusive interview with CNR.
DeanChen underscored the imperative for industry-specific universities to innovate in business talent development amid China’s evolving economic landscape. “Tech-driven industrial reforms and the digital economy demand professionals who bridge technology, business operations, and societal understanding,” she asserted, stressing that MBA programs must align with national agendas like the Digital China and dual-carbon initiatives to cultivate globally competitive, digitally fluent leaders.
Further highlighting Wuhan University of Technology’s MBA distinctiveness, Chen noted its 1997-established program leverages the institution’s Ministry of Education affiliation and dominance in supplying talent for construction materials, transportation, and automotive sectors. By fusing engineering expertise with management studies, the curriculum seamlessly integrates“New Engineering” and “New Business Studies”, forging an “Engineering + Business” brand responsive to technological shifts and quality-focused growth.
Central to its philosophy—“Advancing Management Wisdom, Empowering Business for Societal Good”—is a dual commitment to sustainable innovation. “Our core industries’ green and intelligent transitions mirror our values of responsible progress,” Chen explained. Beyond embedding sustainability principles in coursework, the program partners with leading research institutes and corporations, offering case analyses, field immersions, and applied projects to train students in reconciling profitability with societal impact.
Looking ahead, The School of Management at Wuhan University of Technology will leverage this accolade as a springboard to further elevate its MBA program, contributing to the advancement of China’s management education and shaping visionary business leaders for a sustainable future.
