On October 9, 2016, the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD) held a Symposium on Policy and Business: Global Visions and Local Conditions – where ISSCAD students met with BiMBA EMBA (Executive Master of Business Administration) students in Langrun Garden of the National School of Development, PKU.
Introducing ISSCAD, the Academic Dean of the Institute, Prof. Fu Jun provided an insight on the setting up of ISSCAD, and the course structure for both Masters and PhD students. According to Prof. Fu, "students will be trained to acquire not only leadership skills but mathematical skills; vision and foresight which will enable them to see what others might not see ". He pointed out that the NSD is now being run in line with global trends where several top notch institutions such as Harvard now incorporate economics and politics in their business schools.
Prof. Fu Jun
Discussing the program modules, Prof. Fu pointed that ISSCAD courses are economy oriented involving both macro-economic and micro-economic perspectives, noting that experience has shown that economic centered courses are more effective. He urged participants to have "a broad vision and a global perspective" while encouraging investors to contribute not only to themselves but to the whole world especially given that China has opened up. Prof Fu stressed the importance of finding the right balance between markets and governments pointing out that developing country will learn how China managed to raise its average GDP to around US8000 per annum from a low base through a program of reforms and opening up to the rest of the world.
Mz. Cheng Junhui
Mz. Cheng Junhui who introduced EMBA said that they indeed chose to be at NSD because it is the only institution in China which combines both political and economic aspects. She stated that EMBA under the umbrella of NSD conducts research on economy, politics, population and other disciplines. She attributed the success of EMBA program to the high level professors it has been able to mobilize. In his remarks, Prof. Zha Daojiong discussed the topic "One Belt One Road” in relation to Investment Risk and Control. He advised entrepreneurs to maximize the opportunity that exist today noting that investors should not rely on internet research but interact with local people from the countries where investments are to be made.
Prof. Zha Daojiong
"History, law, market research and politics must be carefully analysed before setting up a company," Prof. Daojiong, said. He emphasized the importance of investors researching and seeking to understand the cultural and political dynamics of the investment destination country. He advised that, political leaderships’ life span is normally limited to a defined period, it is better to solicit for such information from of ordinary people. In addition, he noted that many Chinese companies face reputational risks abroad as a result of relying on third parties due to communication barrier hence the need one to learn local languages. Prof Daojiong urged Chinese investing abroad to implement Social Corporate Responsibility (CSR) on their own rather than wait to be pushed. At the heart of the event, students from South Sudan, Ukraine, Burundi, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Nepal, Venezuela and Timor Leste spoke about the history, socio-political stability and investment opportunities abound in their countries.
ISSCAD students representatives from 9 different countries
As a show of partnership and brotherliness, there was an exchange of gifts between ISSCAD and EMBA students. The representatives of ISSCAD soccer team- the duo of Mr. Ayman Fakih and Mr. John Solunta Smith, Jr and representatives of EMBA soccer team – the duo of Madam Fan Lirong and Mr. Chang Hao received the gifts on behalf of their colleagues. The program ended with a friendly match between ISSCAD and EMBA soccer teams at Peking University’s expansive Wusi Playground.
Soccer teams exchange gifts
