October 19, 2024. Shanghai – The opening ceremony for the 2024 cohort of CEIBS (Switzerland) Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme was held today on the CEIBS Shanghai campus, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey for 30 seasoned business professionals on this rigorous, high-level programme.

The ceremony was attended by CEIBS President Wang Hong, President (European) Dominique Turpin, Vice President and Dean Frank Bournois, Associate Dean (Europe) and DBA Programme Director Katherine Xin, and over ten faculty members representing the school’s five academic departments.

With an average age of 46.9 years, the 30 senior management talents in the cohort have an average of over 23.9 years of work and 19 years of management experience respectively. 27% of the participants hold dual Master’s degrees or higher, and over 80% serve as President, CEO, or ultimate controlling shareholder of a company.

During her opening speech, CEIBS President Wang Hong pointed out that the DBA programme emphasises not only theoretical research, but also practice-based thinking and future-oriented exploration.

She encouraged the participants to embrace the spirit of exploration in both theory and practice, and to remain intellectually curious, use knowledge as a tool to reach new frontiers, and view business as a force for good that can make the world a better place.

CEIBS President (European) Dominique Turpin then highlighted the close ties between the business and academic worlds, describing the CEIBS DBA programme as a bridge connecting the two.

“Our DBA is a demanding programme, and you will experience ups and downs - but this is entirely natural. What is of vital importance is that you maintain your personal values throughout your studies. Always keep in mind the importance of integrity, persistence, respect for others, curiosity, and courage, and strive to adhere to these values,” he said.

CEIBS Associate Dean (Europe) and DBA Programme Director Katherine Xin then took the stage and called on the new participants to challenge their limits with courage, wisdom, and determination. She encouraged them to aim for academic excellence while expanding their perspectives and contributing to social progress.

Delivering remarks on behalf of the faculty, Professor of Finance and Accounting Oliver Rui invited his AI digital avatar to deliver part of his speech alongside him. He emphasised that past successes may not always guarantee future outcomes, especially in the knowledge economy. He then stressed the importance of transforming data into wisdom and urged participants to climb their “second mountain” in life, armed with curiosity and purpose.

As is traditional, representatives from the current and incoming class also gave speeches at the opening ceremony.

Representing the current cohort, Han Yuze, Founder of NewMargin Ventures and member of DBA Class of 2022 shared the deepening of his appreciation for the integration of theory and practice through his DBA studies. He encouraged the new class to embrace challenges and remain passionate about learning.

Speaking on behalf of the new cohort, Song Linbing, President of BSH Home Appliances Investment (China) expressed his excitement about the learning journey ahead. He reflected on how the pursuit of knowledge goes hand in hand with the pursuit of a deeper understanding of life’s meaning. He encouraged his peers to let “the quest for truth and knowledge” guide their studies.

The ceremony concluded with the official pinning of the CEIBS emblem on the new DBA participants. Professor Xin noted that the emblem symbolises the school's rich tradition of curiosity and reverence for knowledge. She challenged the new cohort to break through personal limitations and strive for academic excellence.

About CEIBS DBA Programme

The CEIBS (Switzerland) Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programme is designed for senior executives who seek to blend academic rigor with practical relevance. Packed with diverse modules and rigorous practice-based research, the DBA Programme helps business leaders to gain an interdisciplinary perspective, foster critical thinking, and the application of research to solve real-world business challenges.