On October 14, a delegation from Singapore Management University (SMU) visited the Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS). The delegation was led by Professor Alan Chan, SMU provost, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple chair professor of inter-religious studies and harmony (with courtesy appointment in the School of Social Sciences); and Professor Lim Sun Sun, SMU vice president of partnerships and engagement and Lee Kong Chian professor of communication and technology. They were warmly received and engaged in discussions with Professor Hai Wen, chair professor of economics, vice chairman of the Peking University Council (former vice president), founding dean of PHBS, and director of the DBA Program; as well as Professor Wang Pengfei, Boya distinguished professor of Peking University and dean of PHBS.

The two sides engage in talks to explore future collaboration

During the discussion, Professor Hai Wen extended a warm welcome to the visiting delegation and provided a detailed introduction to the jointly launched PHBS-SMU DBA (Doctor of Business Administration) program. He emphasized that the program represents a joint initiative by both institutions to address educational transformation amid globalization and innovate talent development models. He hoped that the program would serve as a platform to deepen collaboration across broader areas.

Professor Alan Chan highlighted SMU's strong commitment to cooperation and exchange with Chinese universities. He expressed his expectation that the implementation of the DBA program would further strengthen in-depth collaboration in academic research and talent cultivation, while also promoting more faculty and student exchanges.

Professor Wang Pengfei noted that the enrollment of the program's inaugural cohort of students this year marked a successful beginning for the partnership and laid a solid foundation for future cooperation. He looked forward to more forward-looking and practice-oriented initiatives between the two sides, particularly in the research and support services related to corporate internationalization, with a special focus on Chinese companies "going global."

The two sides held substantive discussions focused on several priorities, ranging from the joint DBA program to the application and impact of AI in business education and the imperative for curriculum innovation in the AI era.

SMU delegates tour PHBS

The group photo of the participants

Also joining the exchange were key faculty and administrators from both institutions. SMU's delegation featured faculty and administrators overseeing graduate education, sustainable finance, and the DBA program, while PHBS's participants comprised program directors and DBA students who are tech entrepreneurs.

The inaugural class opening ceremony for the PHBS-SMU DBA program was held on August 27, 2025. With the educational mission of developing "Thought Leaders and Innovation Pioneers," the program integrates world-class educational resources with Chinese business practices. It aims to cultivate well-rounded, intellectually grounded management scholars who possess both profound insights and practical wisdom to lead the future.

By Annie Jin