On 31 October, a celebration event marking the 30th anniversary of the Master of Business Administration (iMBA) programme jointly offered by Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (SUFE) and Webster University (USA) was held in Shanghai. Leaders from Webster University and SUFE, including those from the School of Business, representatives of faculty members and industry mentors, as well as current students, alumni, gathered to collectively commemorate the 30-year journey of the programme. They also looked forward to the future with shared aspirations, joining hands to advance the high-quality development of Sino-foreign cooperative education. Established in 1996 with the approval of the former State Education Commission, the SUFE-iMBA programme was among the first Sino-foreign cooperative MBA degree programmes in China to receive such authorisation, pioneering MBA education through international collaboration in the country. Over the past three decades, the programme has adhered to the educational philosophy of 'integrating knowledge with practice and embracing social responsibility'. Rooted in China and with a global vision, it has continuously strengthened and highlighted its distinctive international education advantages grounded in finance and economics. The programme strives to develop a sustainable and exemplary model of Sino-foreign cooperative education that emphasises practice-based and collaborative learning. To date, the programme has educated over 3,000 graduates from China and abroad, contributing a significant number of talented individuals to economic and social development, and has become one of the most influential international MBA programmes in China.
A New Chapter Begins · The Legacy of Two Universities
The event commenced with a short video reviewing the 30-year development of the programme.
In her speech, Jin Yuying, Member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee and Vice-President of SUFE, extended warm congratulations on behalf of the university to all faculty members, students, and alumni of the programme. She also expressed heartfelt gratitude to Webster University for its steadfast partnership over the past 30 years, and to all sectors of society that have long cared for and supported the development of the programme. She reviewed the exploratory journey of the two universities joining forces to launch an international MBA programme thirty years ago, pointing out that the programme has always adhered to a long-term vision. From introducing international business education paradigms to taking root in the fertile soil of the domestic economy and achieving localised growth, the programme has consistently focused on the goal of cultivating talents who 'understand China and see the world'. She noted that thirty years marks 'the age of maturity', where 'maturity' represents not just the passage of time, but a solid foundation and a clear direction. She expressed the hope that, with the 30th anniversary as a new starting point, the programme will continue to build on China’s business practices, integrate high-quality educational resources from both China and abroad, achieve even greater success, reach further, and nurture more business leaders with vision and a sense of responsibility for the times.
In his speech, Ryan Guffey, Executive Vice President of Webster University Global Campuses, stated that thirty years ago, the two universities made the joint decision to collaborate on an international MBA programme — an uncommon move at the time. Over the past three decades, this partnership has endured despite leadership changes at both institutions, global financial fluctuations, and shifting external environments. He remarked that while establishing a partnership may be relatively straightforward, maintaining it is far more challenging, and he expressed heartfelt gratitude to Shanghai University of Finance and Economics for its trust and commitment over the past 30 years. He noted that the programme has consistently evolved alongside the development of business relations between the two countries, and that Webster University and SUFE will continue to enhance the curriculum and academic standards to meet the new demands placed on the next generation of business professionals by areas such as artificial intelligence, data analysis, sustainable enterprise, resilient supply chains, and cross-cultural leadership. He also looked forward to continued contributions from alumni as bridges between the two institutions.
At the event, Jin Yuying and Ryan Guffey, on behalf of the two universities, exchanged 30th-anniversary commemorative gifts, symbolising the enduring collaborative bond in co-establishing the MBA programme. Leaders from various campuses of Webster University and representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce also sent congratulatory messages, conveying their heartfelt wishes across continents.
Leaders from various campuses of Webster University and representatives from the American Chamber of Commerce also sent congratulatory messages
Thirty Years of Dedication · A Decade of Recognition
The 30th-anniversary awards ceremony was also held on-site, recognising faculty and alumni who have contributed tirelessly to the programme over the past three decades. Four major honours were presented: the ‘Teaching and Nurturing’ Long-term Devotion Award, the ‘Passing the Torch’ Practical Education Award, the ‘Inspiring the Future’ Innovation Leadership Award, and the ‘Standing Tall in Maturity’ Outstanding Contribution Award. In addition to these four awards, a special recognition was given for the iSport 30th Anniversary Tribute Run. Awards were presented by Jin Yuying, Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President of SUFE; Ryan Guffey, Executive Vice President of Webster University Global Campuses; Eric Michael Click, European Academic Director of Webster University; Xu Min, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Business at SUFE; Chen Hongmei, Director of the Office of Cooperation and Development at SUFE; Ding Dong, Director of the Office of International Exchange and Cooperation at SUFE; and Wang Ti, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Business at SUFE.
During the alumni sharing session, representatives from different cohorts spoke about their experiences with the programme: Huang Zhen, representative of the first cohort (Class of 1996); Zheng Junyan, representative of the tenth cohort (Class of 2006); Tang Feifei, representative of the twentieth cohort (Class of 2016); and Wang Lei, representative of the thirtieth cohort (Class of 2026). Xue Liping, Full-time Organisational Officer at the School of Business of SUFE; Richard Foristel, former China Campus Director of Webster University; Professor Sun Qi, Deputy Dean of the School of Business at SUFE; and Anthony Jarvis, Academic Director of the China Campus of Webster University, presented each speaker with a customised commemorative badge and took a group photo with them.
Thirty Years of Praise · An Artistic Tribute to Excellence
A talent showcase by faculty, students, and alumni was held at the event, featuring performances including song and dance, comic dialogue, kung fu demonstrations, and choral singing. Works such as 'Wild Geese', 'I Believe', 'As You Wish', and 'Tomorrow Will Be Better' connected under the theme of 'A Tribute to Thirty Years', offering heartfelt tributes to the iMBA programme’s 30th anniversary in a warm and relaxed atmosphere.
Standing Tall at Thirty · Setting Forth Anew
Prior to the celebratory event, leaders from both Chinese and American partner institutions and specially invited alumni held two sessions of talks, engaging in lively exchanges on alumni development and university–industry collaboration.
Thirty years is not an endpoint, but a new starting point. Building on the 30th anniversary, the iMBA programme at Shanghai University of Finance and Economics will continue to deepen cooperation between the two institutions, integrate high-quality educational resources from both China and abroad, and remain grounded in Chinese business practices. The programme is committed to cultivating high-calibre business professionals with a global vision and a sense of national responsibility, and to making new contributions to economic and social development.
