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Amid the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence and various hard-tech breakthroughs, how should business schools cultivate future-ready talents? On May 10, the School of Economics and Management (Tongji SEM), Tongji University, officially launched its 2027 intake admission policy for professional degree programs. In line with the AI-era development trend and the demand for developing new-quality productive forces, the school has carried out a systematic and major reform of its existing programs across two dimensions: foundation reshaping and pillar upgrading.

Prof. En XIE, Dean of Tongji SEM, emphasized that the new technological revolution represented by AI is profoundly reshaping business logic and management paradigms. Traditional business education is no longer fit for the latest development of the times, as well as the expectations of students and industry. The new 2027 admissions policy marks a radical overhaul of the school’s professional degree offerings. On the one hand, the school has redesigned its curriculum, embedding AI into all core courses —so every student graduates as an AI-ready manager. On the other hand, it has unveiled distinctive tracks and advanced AI modules within its MBA/EMBA programs. SEM will also integrate students into the unique ecosystem of Tongji Knowledge Economy Circle, focusing on hard-tech frontiers like AI, automotive, architecture, and medicine — unlocking entrepreneurial opportunities and laying the groundwork for lasting career success.

Prof. Hongwei WANG, Deputy Dean of Tongji SEM, elaborated on the admissions and program upgrades for six professional degrees (MBA, EMBA, MEM, MPA, MPAcc, MF) and the Entrepreneur Training Program (ETP), covering specialized tracks, faculty, curriculum, and scholarships.

Among them, the part-time MBA program has been redesigned as three distinctive tracks: AI-Driven Management and Transformation, Hard Tech Industry Management and Innovation, Entrepreneurship, Innovation, and Venture Financing. These tracks aim to cultivate AI strategists and transformation leaders, industry-tech integrators, and capital-industry connectors.

To back this major reform, SEM will tap into Tongji’s strong engineering heritage, global network, and industrial ecosystem. It will deepen cross-disciplinary collaboration, drawing on leading disciplines such as automotive, architecture and urban planning, and medicine. National labs, the Yangtze River Delta G60 Science and Technology Innovation Corridor, and the Tongji Knowledge Economy Circle will be embedded throughout the learning journey. Mobile classrooms in Shenzhen, Fuzhou, and other cities will further strengthen practice-oriented teaching. The scholarship system has also been upgraded. Inclusive scholarships benefit a broad range of students with real financial support, while top merit-based awards reach up to RMB 299,000, providing strong incentives for outstanding talent.

Wang added that the school is planning to launch two new programs — Digital Economy and Technology Transfer — which will eventually bring its professional degree portfolio to eight, creating a talent pipeline that spans hard-tech R&D, industrial operations, and capital operations.

The event also featured prominent Tongji alumni sharing insights on high-end manufacturing’s digital shift, hard-tech entrepreneurship, and tech-capital convergence.

Mr. Rongming HE (Tongji alumnus, class of 1980) — now Chairman of Guangdong iStar Technology Equipment Co., Ltd. and actual controller & Chairman of Sinostone (Guangdong) Co., Ltd., and formerly Chairman & GM of Shanghai Micro Electronics Equipment (Group) Co., Ltd. (SMEE) — gave a speech on China’s hard tech breakthroughs. Drawing on over four decades in high-end manufacturing, he shared inspiring insights from his career.

A panel discussion titled “Industrial Immersion and Career Renewal in the Era of Technological Change” featured distinguished alumni exploring industrial restructuring, management innovation, and talent development amid rapid tech shifts. The panel included Mr. Jun GAO (MBA 2002), Deputy General Manager (GM) of Tongji Holdings & GM of National Science and technology Park, Tongji University & Deputy Dean, the School of Innovation & Entrepreneurship; Mr. Charlie JIANG (MBA 1998), Senior Vice President of Siemens (China) and Head of Siemens Advanta China; Mr. Jerry ZHANG (EMBA 2020), CEO of Tianlu Flying Auto; and Ms. Rongrong ZHANG (Tongji alumna, Class of 2002), Director of the Performance Development Center at BYD Auto Engineering Research Institute.

At the launch event, Prof. En XIE and Prof. Hongwei WANG awarded mentor certificates to these five distinguished alumni. The event and panel discussion that followed were moderated by Prof. Su Taoyong (Academic Director of MBA/EMBA Center) and Prof. Luning SHAO (Department of Innovation and Strategy) respectively. Grace SHOU, Assistant Dean & Acting Director of Professional Degree Center Director, and other faculty members were also present.

A consultation session for professional degree programs was held later that day. Prospective students visited program booths and classrooms to discuss tracks, application procedures, and scholarships with the admissions team.

Moving forward, SEM will continue to pursue its mission — create management knowledge and develop leading professionals for China and the world who are capable of solving practical problems while addressing the challenges of business and society with a global perspective, responsibility and in a sustainable way. It aims to set a new standard for China’s business education, attuned to the AI era and the needs of new quality productive forces. SEM also invites ambitious change-makers to join, embrace the call of the times, and shape a promising future together.

To learn more about our MBA programs, please visit: https://mba.tongji.edu.cn/en/

For more application details, click here: https://study-info.tongji.edu.cn/