March 21, 2026 Shanghai – The MBA Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony of China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) was held on the CEIBS Shanghai campus today, filling the school with a spirit of ambition and excitement for new journeys ahead. Graduates from countries and regions around the world gathered to mark this important milestone. Throughout their MBA journey, these students have pursued knowledge with dedication, and grown through collaboration. Now, they set out on the next stage of their journey, carrying their aspirations forward and aiming to contribute to the future development of their industries.

CEIBS President Wang Hong, Co-President (European) Frank Bournois, Vice President and Co-Dean Zhu Tian, Associate Professor of Marketing, Associate Dean and Director of MBA Programme Zhang Lingling, and Associate Professor of Strategy Kim Changhyun, together with faculty and staff representatives, attended the ceremony to celebrate this important and memorable occasion with the graduates.

Graduates Group Photo

On behalf of the entire CEIBS community, President Wang extended her warmest congratulations to the graduating class and offered a sincere welcome and heartfelt thanks to the families and friends who had supported them and joined the ceremony.

“Today’s ceremony comes at a particularly meaningful moment for CEIBS. In the latest Financial Times’ 2026 Global MBA Ranking, the CEIBS MBA programme rose to #8 in the world and has remained #1 in Asia for the tenth consecutive year,” President Wang said. “This is not merely a ranking, but a recognition from the international management education community of CEIBS’ educational philosophy and approach to talent development. It reflects the dedication and excellence of our entire community and stands as a testament to what we have achieved together.”

She encouraged graduates to stay grounded and continue to maintain a deep understanding of China’s business environment while navigating a changing world, to broaden their global perspectives and serve as bridges between cultures, to drive innovation through technology in times of industrial transformation, to embrace lifelong learning and continue pushing the boundaries of their knowledge, and to define success through a strong sense of social responsibility and a commitment to seeing business as a force for good.

CEIBS President Wang Hong

CEIBS Co-President (European) Frank Bournois then congratulated the MBA Class of 2026 on completing a rigorous and transformative journey, emphasising that the programme was designed not to be easy, but to fundamentally change how students think and lead. “Today we recognise not only the conclusion of your programme but also the recognition of the deep internal transformation that has taken place within all of you,” Prof. Bournois said.

He highlighted that the graduates leave CEIBS not just with knowledge, but with stronger analytical abilities, cross-cultural competence, and a deeper sense of self-awareness.

He also reflected on “balance” as a critical leadership capability in today’s uncertain world, reminding graduates to balance perspectives, leadership, and decision making in a shifting global landscape. “We are entering a world that does not only require competence, but discernment, the ability to judge how you are going to be rebalancing situations.”

Another key theme was “coalescence”. As Prof. Bournois put it, “true value is created not by becoming identical to others, but by remaining distinct, differentiated and working together intellectually.” He noted that this spirit was at the heart of the CEIBS experience.

In conclusion, he encouraged graduates to resist inertia and actively generate their own momentum. He also urged them to stay connected with CEIBS and, above all, to never stop learning.

CEIBS Co-President (European) Frank Bournois

On behalf of the CEIBS faculty, Prof. Changhyun Kim then delivered a speech. Reflecting on the strategic significance of the MBA journey, he reminded graduates that “strategy is all about choice — where to play, and how to win.” He encouraged students to adopt what he described as a “pessimistic optimist” mindset: to prepare for the worst, strive for the best, and confront reality as it is.

Addressing the rapid rise of AI, he emphasised that technology ultimately remains a tool, while an individual’s differentiation is what truly creates lasting advantage. “Using AI is ok, but it cannot differentiate you. The real goal now is, eventually,  to differentiate yourself not just from human beings, but from all AI players and AI agents," he said. He encouraged graduates to continue discovering and enhancing their unique strengths, and to seek to find their place in an increasingly unpredictable global landscape with clarity and purpose.

Associate Professor of Strategy  Changhyun Kim

MBA 2026 graduate representatives Gao Yi and Vamshi Saranga then took to the stage to speak. Gao Yi reflected on the MBA journey, sharing that “The classroom is where learning begins, but the community is what makes the experience unforgettable; if the main quest helped us reach graduation, it was these unexpected side quests that made the journey meaningful. When we are together, we are stronger.”

Gao Yi, MBA Class of 2026

Vamshi Saranga also shared his reflections, noting ”We came here to transform ourselves. Now, we carry the responsibility to transform the world around us. Leadership is not about being the smartest in the room. It is about transforming the room and making the room better for everyone in it.”

Vamshi Saranga, MBA Class of 2026

During the ceremony, Prof. Zhang Lingling announced the recipients of the MBA Student Leader Award, the MBA Contribution Award, the Dean’s List, and the MBA Outstanding Graduate Award. This was followed by an award presentation ceremony, during which Professors Frank Bournois, Zhu Tian, and Zhang Lingling, along with Administrative Director of the MBA Programme Office Michelle Zhu, presented the awards to the recipients.

The following students were recognised with these honours:

MBA Student Leader Award：范晋材、Vamshi Krishna SARANGA、蔡冬韵

MBA Contribution Award：安洋森、Gero BALTSCHUKAT、陈宇帮、范晋材、Sunjung LIM、Napat SUPHITUKWONG、王亦丹、谢冰沁、许晨瑶、徐露芸、曾绎如、张宇泽

Dean’s List： Gero BALTSCHUKAT、边缘、戴英莹、胡瑞雯、Sunjung LIM、刘靖轩、Thi Ngoc Tram NGUYEN、Ju Khuan PAN、蔡冬韵、徐露芸

MBA Outstanding Graduate Award：胡瑞雯、刘靖轩、Vamshi Krishna SARANGA

Award presentation

The ceremony also featured a Class Gift Presentation, during which President Wang Hong presented donation certificates to two student representatives. The certificates not only symbolised the graduates’ gratitude and sense of responsibility towards their alma mater, but also reflected the CEIBS spirit of giving back and carrying forward the community’s legacy.

Class Gift Ceremony

After some enthralling student performances, Prof. Zhang Lingling took to the stage to deliver her own address. Focusing on “Fides” (Faith), she advised the graduates: “You do not need to see it first in order to believe. You need to believe—so that one day, you will see.”

Reflecting on the developing trend of “one-person companies” (OPCs), she reminded students that no meaningful achievement can be accomplished by a single individual alone. In her view, the future of the world depends not merely on systems, but on people like the CEIBS MBA graduates themselves to define and shape it.

CEIBS Associate Professor of Marketing, 

Associate Dean and Director of MBA

Programme Zhang Lingling

In her own remarks, Administrative Director of the MBA Programme Office Michelle Zhu recognised the graduates’ outstanding achievements during their studies, praising their exceptional passion, vision, and sense of responsibility. She reflected on the MBA journey as one of transformation and growth, highlighting how students supported one another, embraced challenges, and exemplified the spirit of collaboration that defines CEIBS. She encouraged graduates to continue learning, stay closely connected with the CEIBS community, give back, and to lead with innovation and shine brightly on the new paths ahead.

Administrative Director of the MBA Programme

Office  Michelle Zhu

As the ceremony drew to a close, Professors Zhu Tian and Zhang Lingling presented graduation certificates to each of the graduates. This was followed by Prof. Zhang announcing the commencement of the tassel-turning ceremony. This solemn moment not only symbolised the official transition of students from CEIBS scholars to alumni, but also marked the beginning of their new professional journeys. The knowledge, experiences, cherished memories, enduring friendships, and extensive networks accumulated during their MBA studies will serve as a solid foundation, empowering them to grow, thrive, and flourish in the years ahead.

Professors present graduation certificates to graduates

We hope that all of today’s graduates carry with them their original aspirations and aim high, using knowledge as their wings and a sense of responsibility as their backbone, standing at the forefront of business and forging ahead with determination. Wherever they go, CEIBS will always remain a source of strong support and a spiritual home.

CEIBS looks forward to seeing these graduates achieve remarkable things and make their mark in their respective fields.