This weekend saw over 90 CEIBS Global EMBA (GEMBA) students gather at the CEIBS Shanghai campus to finally enjoy the official end of their epic academic adventure together.

Much like the wider world itself, the 2021 cohort have been tested greatly during these times, and have emerged stronger than ever. Despite the difficulties they encountered, they have spent the past 30 months (6 months longer than the usual programme duration) to better themselves, their careers and the societies where they live and work. During this time, 45% of the graduates have either been promoted or changed their jobs for career development purposes. Many have pursued global roles, and the cohort now occupies positions across 15 countries worldwide. Equally, they have organised over 40 class events and trips, bolstering their learning and global mindset at every opportunity.

Their well-deserved graduation ceremony was a chance for the GEMBA 2021 class to reunite, reflect on their outstanding achievements, and simply savour the moment together.

Extraordinary resolve in extraordinary times

Following the traditional format of the GEMBA Graduation Ceremony, this year’s event began with two sets of congratulatory remarks from senior CEIBS leadership figures. After the welcome announcement from the event host, CEIBS Associate Dean (GEMBA) and Professor of Economics Bala Ramasamy, CEIBS President Wang Hong highlighted the outstanding efforts and overall attitude of the cohort from start to finish.

CEIBS President Wang Hong

“Today, you graduate as an exceptional GEMBA cohort, having navigated extraordinary circumstances. Though the pandemic disrupted your studies, you maintained a positive mindset and a fervent passion for learning, overcoming numerous hurdles. Your commitment to studies has been exemplary. Moreover, your impact and sense of responsibility extended beyond academics and career success. I am immensely proud of the responsibility and leadership you have demonstrated,” President Wang said.

CEIBS President (European) Dominique Turpin

This was followed by CEIBS President (European) Dominique Turpin, who focused his remarks on the cohort’s exemplary ability to stay curious, open-minded and willing to look beyond their immediate surroundings.

“In a world that sometimes feels as if it is retreating from globalisation and international cooperation, groups of people like you, that hail from every corner of the globe and take pride in their diversity, are sorely needed. Your very choice of coming to study at CEIBS shows that you seek out diverse and global environments in which to learn, that you have a desire to discover more about the parts of the world which you don’t already understand. As the business leaders of the future, I believe it’s vital, not just for you but for our world, that you hold on to this global focus,” President Turpin said.

Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship Daniel Chng

Next it was the turn of Professor Daniel Chng, in his capacity as CEIBS Faculty representative. In his address, the professor highlighted how much the world has changed during the 30 months since the graduates’ studies began. He said that although there are unprecedented changes and challenges occurring, from geopolitical tensions to trade and technological competitions and increasing environmental and societal stresses, the core principles of responsible leadership, strategic innovation, and global collaboration remain even more relevant than ever.

“As our GEMBA graduates, you are uniquely equipped to navigate this complex landscape. You’ve gained not just knowledge and skills but also a global perspective and a network of peers that span continents. These invaluable assets will guide you as you strive to make a difference in your organisations, communities, and beyond. I urge you to leverage this unique position. Be conscientious leaders who bridge divides, enhance collaborations, and drive positive changes,” Prof. Chng said.

Resilient, adaptive, ready for the next challenge

Following the leadership and faculty speeches, the graduation ceremony then turned to the graduating cohort themselves, with two of its members coming to the stage to share their own unique insights into the communal experience they had all shared.

Assistant President and Head of Personnel Division for Shanghai Foreign Service Group (FSG) Zhongfei Wang

First to address the graduating class was Zhongfei Wang, Assistant President and Head of Personnel Division for Shanghai Foreign Service Group (FSG).

“We, GEMBA 2021, with all the unconditional love and support from our family, friends, and the GEMBA family, have demonstrated one of the most precious qualities one can have: resilience. We have been challenged and we have responded with wit, creativity, social awareness, activism, and determination. It is our hard-won resilience that has got us here,” Zhongfei said.

Zhongfei went on to underline the past, current and future importance of peer sharing within the cohort. She urged her classmates to remember that even the most complex business scenarios can be deconstructed and reshaped with the help of their shared perspectives, shared experiences and a mutual desire to support one another.

Vice President and Head of Regional Corporate Affairs at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Leslie Chang

Following this heartfelt address was another class representatives, Leslie Chang, Vice President and Head of Regional Corporate Affairs at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). His address echoed Zhongfei’s sentiments regarding the need to stay adaptive while supporting one another, while he also highlighted how these unique times have helped shape the cohort’s business thinking overall.

“In the heart of our programme, we witnessed a shifting business environment. Geopolitics reshaped China’s role on the global stage, and post-Covid recovery has proved more arduous than anticipated. Terms like “de-risking” and “de-coupling” became part of our lexicon, and discussions about tall fences and hidden backyards shaped our strategic thinking. We learned that adaptability is not just a skill; it is a mindset — one that will serve us well in the dynamic world of business,” Leslie said.

Recognition of talent and dedication – Graduate awards and class gift for GEMBA 2021

Every year upon graduation, the school and GEMBA office recognises those students who have made extraordinary efforts in service to the CEIBS community, as well as those who have demonstrated true academic excellence.

Firstly, four members of the GEMBA 2021 class received the CEIBS Outstanding Graduate Award. Its conferment recognises graduates who have managed to sustain a compelling record of outstanding performance throughout their time in the programme, with equal weighting for academic performance and non-academic contributions to the wider CEIBS community.

This year’s recipients were:

• Catherine QUAN
• Pierluigi VISOTTI
• Edmond HUI
• Fanny SHU

Outstanding Graduate Award conferment

This was followed by the conferment of the Academic Excellence award, which was started in 2015 by the dearly departed and much missed Associate Dean and the Global EMBA Director Professor Nikos Tsikriktsis. The award is given each year in his honour and memory. This year’s winners were Fabien Audon of Class 1 and Aaron Zeng of Class 2.

Academic Excellence Award conferment

Finally, Professor of Management Katherine Xin took to the stage on behalf of the CEIBS Management Committee to present representatives of the GEMBA 2021 cohort with their donation certificate and plaque, commemorating not only the monetary donations made by the graduates, but also their wider contributions to the school in terms of their time, resources and expertise.

Professor Katherine Xin presents certificates for class gift donations

The moment of truth: Becoming alumni

After a short break, the audience returned to the graduation ceremony to enjoy the lyrical delights of the CEIBS Alumni Choirs. Choral groups made up of CEIBS students, alumni and staff performed two songs which were well received by the graduates and their attendant guests.

Choir performance

Then came the moment the class had been building towards for 30 months. In two batches, CEIBS Associate Dean (GEMBA) and Professor of Economics Bala Ramasamy, Vice President and Dean Frank Bournois, President (European) Dominique Turpin, and Vice President and Co-Dean Zhang Weijiong honoured the assembled class members with the conferment of their degrees.

CEIBS Associate Dean (GEMBA) and Professor of Economics Bala Ramasamy

In closing, Professor Ramasamy shared some fond words of farewell and congratulations. However, given that all GEMBA alumni are part of the CEIBS family, this moment was not a true goodbye, but more of a moment to mark their great milestone, and a reminder to consider the school as their second home.

“GEMBA 2021, my heartiest congratulations to all of you that you have been able to complete this journey together. It is said that the way to test gold is by using fire, and all of you were gold to me because I believe all of you made it through the fires of these tests and tribulations, overcoming them all. Life will have many more challenges, and I hope that you can use the support that you have from one another to be together, to be united in whatever challenges that you may face. It is important that you balance both your personal and professional life, and I hope that the friendships that you have gained from each other during this program will be something that will last forever. Congratulations again,” Prof. Ramasamy said.

Our warmest congratulations go out to every graduate from the GEMBA 2021 class. We look forward to seeing you back at CEIBS soon.