Throughout 2025, as US-China trade tensions persisted and China recalibrated its economic strategy, CEIBS faculty remained indispensable voices in global media, offering sharp, balanced perspectives on everything from tariffs and deflation to innovation and corporate globalisation.

From alumni success stories and leadership insights to global business perspectives and campus initiatives, this collection of the most-read CEIBS alumni stories of 2025 highlights some of the most engaging CEIBS stories of the year.

From global trade tensions and technological disruption to shifting consumer trends and social change, 2025 has been a year of profound challenges and opportunities for global business. Throughout the year, CEIBS faculty offered timely analysis and insight across economics, management, finance, and society, helping to make sense of fast-moving developments at home and abroad. The following pieces highlight some of the most influential ideas and insights that shaped the year.

2025 marked a year filled with impactful moments, groundbreaking events, and inspiring milestones for CEIBS, including the celebration of the 50th anniversary of EU-China diplomatic ties, underscoring the school’s commitment to academic excellence, responsible leadership, and global business impact. Read on to dive into the highlights that defined the past 12 months as we look ahead to an even more transformative 2026!

The 7th Annual CEIBS Organisational Behaviour & Human Resource Management Symposium, hosted by CEIBS’ OB/HR Department, took place at Academic Centre 3-117 on November 20, 2025. Centering on “Navigating New Frontiers: Work and Leadership in the Age of Technology”, the event gathered over 80 professors, doctoral students, and practitioners worldwide. As a key academic forum, it provided a platform for sharing cutting-edge research in OB/HR management.

Will we see more bridges built to connect China with the rest of the world? Or will more walls be raised to separate the two?

Meet the New Cohort of Global EMBA 2025

Now in its 30th year, the CEIBS Global EMBA welcomed the arrival of its 31st cohort. Made up of 97 business leaders drawn from all over the world to the school’s Shanghai Campus, they arrived ready and eager to begin their initial leadership module over the next eight days.

As Chinese enterprises accelerate their global expansion, their effective transition from simple “Made in China” products to internationally recognised global brands has never been more critical.