Global education leaders gathered in Shanghai to discuss how business schools can innovate and collaborate in the age of AI and globalization, with Hitotsubashi ICS Prof. Satoko Suzuki contributing insights on future-ready leadership and partnership.
Photos provided by Fudan University School of Management
In the end of October 2025, the Fudan University School of Management (Fudan SoM) celebrated a major milestone, the 40th anniversary of its re-establishment, by convening an international forum focused on the future of business education. Among the global participants was Prof. Satoko Suzuki MBA Program Director of Hitotsubashi ICS, who attended on behalf of Hitotsubashi ICS and contributed to the exchange of perspectives among leading business schools.
The 2025 Global Business Education Deans’ Forum & Expo held at Fudan SoM’s Zhengli campus in Shanghai, brought together deans and senior representatives from nearly 50 top-tier institutions across five continents.
More than a commemoration, the 40th-anniversary events highlighted collaboration as the cornerstone of progress in global management education. The Deans’ Forum provided a vibrant space for academic leaders to exchange ideas, showcase innovative teaching models, and explore opportunities for institutional partnerships.
Participants emphasized the growing importance of curriculum transformation, experiential learning, and cross-border cooperation in developing agile, purpose-driven leaders who can thrive amid global uncertainty. Together, these discussions reaffirmed a shared vision: to shape business education that is not only academically rigorous but also responsive to the complex challenges of today’s world.
Fudan University School of Management’s 40-year journey has been marked by transformation and internationalization. From its re-establishment in 1985 to its current status as one of China’s premier management schools, Fudan SoM continues to expand its global influence through partnerships, research collaborations, and thought leadership initiatives.
In May 2025, Fudan SoM and Hitotsubashi ICS signed a student exchange agreement, marking the beginning of a new chapter in collaboration between the two institutions. Building on the momentum of the recent forum, both schools are expected to further deepen their partnership through new joint programs, collaborative research initiatives, and enhanced student mobility opportunities. These developments will continue to strengthen their shared commitment to advancing excellence and innovation in global business education.