Zhong Rong International Group Co.,Ltd signed TMP MoU with MBS China Centre

12^th April. China Centre formed strategic partnership with Zhong Rong International Group Co., Ltd. (ZRL). Chairman and Director of Board Mr. Yang Liu signed Memorandum of Understanding with China Centre Director Ms. Sherry Fu.

Zhongrong International Trust Co is a financial institution recognised by China Banking Regulatory commission, with the registered capital of 6 billion yuan, it now has more than 1,700 employees across 20 major cities throughout the country.

The company's main business covers real estate, securities, industrial and commercial enterprises and infrastructure, the "diversified" mode of transactions including equity investment, trust loans, equity returns, property management, etc. After more than 20 years of development, the company has become a large financial enterprise.

This ‘Talent Management Partnership’ will contribute to the internal talent learning and development of ZRL Group. MBS aims to support ZRL group in its process of providing further L&D opportunities to the senior level managers.

MBS China and Chongqing Western Modern Logistics City Signs MoU

The 19th China Chongqing International Investment and Global Sourcing Fair was successfully held on the 19th May 2016. Over 6,900 companies from 47 counties attended this great fair. Regional Director Ms. Sherry Fu was invited on behalf of Manchester Business School China Centre to visit western modern logistics city and discuss potential cooperative opportunities.

With mutual trust and a good flow of communication, China Centre and Chongqing Logistics City are able to leverage international and local resources and technologies in order to nurture talents and help CLC with its strategic agenda of preparing top management team with global vision and competencies.
CLC is a mature and established industry park, home to over 500 leading companies, both domestic and international. It is an emerging landmark of port highland, a centre of innovation and creativity.  Being on the “Belt and Road” that connects Yangtze River Delta, CLC is taking a leading role in generating trading partnerships and overseas investment attraction. In the meantime, the demand for well-trained talents with global vision and exposure to various business models is ever increasing.

Saturday 9^th July was a very special day for Centre and partner Tongji University, as it marked the 7^th year’s successful enrollment for the jointly delivered global MBA programme, which welcomed the first cohort of students back in 2010. The induction was held in the workshop room at China Centre, where China Centre Director Ms. Sherry Fu, Associate MBA Director from Tongji University Ms. Qin Xu, Associate MBA Director Dr. Jiyao Xun, MBS Student Support team and External Relation Officer Ms. Roya Zhang welcome the new students.

As usual, the warmest welcome and message of congratulations from Sherry were extended to every successful candidate who are about to embark on their very own rewarding MBA journey. “This will be a meaningful 2.5 years where you take your knowledge and perspectives of the business world to a next level with the help of lots of practical activities.” Said Sherry,” You need be prepared to balance study, work and personal life all within the tight schedules. But most importantly, this 2.5 years is the time you will be thriving to achieve career success as well as making life-long impactful relations with your peers.”

Ms. Qin Xu from Tongji took the opportunity to further introduce to the students the structure, content, allocation of teaching resources and important dates to be noted. Together with Dr. Xun, the two representatives from both partners highlighted the academic challenges that need be noted.

Following Ms. Xu and Dr. Xun was the Student Support Team. Ms. Penny Zhou introduced her team of student advisors to the students, as every student is assigned a student advisor as point of contact to academic matters and related issue. “Our team of student advisors is here to help you with enquires of academic affairs as well as to facilitate your progress of learning. We encourage you to fully utilize online systems and virtual learning platforms to help your study.” Said Ms. Zhou.

After the introduction from Student Support team, External Manager Ms. Roya Zhang greeted the students with information of external activities, career development facilities as well as student and alumni activities. “MBS offers life-long alumni service, which means no matter how many years it has been since you graduate, you would be receiving the same career advice and have the same access to career resource. We also offer platforms and advice for you to organize events and form groups among students and alumni, which could be a channel for developing your business contacts and forming meaningful relations.” Says Ms. Zhang

The induction was held successfully and concluded by the traditional tower challenge. The winning team this year demonstrated ingenuity, creativity and good craftsmanship all at the same time. Every student is anticipating to start their MBA journey. Look luck to them all!

3rd March, China Centre hosted an open lecture by Mr. Chas Pope from Arup Group, the firm behind many of the world’s most iconic building designs – from Sydney Opera House to Beijing’s National Stadium (the ‘Bird’s Nest’) and 30 St Mary Axe (London’s ‘Gherkin’). The event was successfully held in Hilton Beijing with heated interest from students, alumni and candidates.

Chas is Associate Director of Arup with wealth of international experience and has been working in Beijing Since 2003 after graduation and having worked in Arup London Office. 

For many of us, architectural design is a highly specialized subject. Yet we are all attracted to magnificent designs and excited about structural miracles.

‘Total design’ is a concept developed by founder of Arup Group, Mr. Ove Arup, who consistently strove for a true partnership between the architect and the engineer to achieve better design through collaboration to a new level, where technical aspects of design and aesthetic expectations integrate. This Concept also resonates with people from other sectors, as we often need to think outside our own areas of expertise in order to solve complex problems and issues.

27th March, a small scaled graduation celebration was held in China Centre. Graduates and their family came to enjoy this special moment. Centre prepared well for this special moment, decorating the lecture room with wall-size photo of the University of Manchester, offering for free the graduation gown.

It is the first time the China Centre organized this scale of graduation celebration at the centre. The China Centre prepared well for this special moment, decorating the lecture room with wall-size photo of the University of Manchester, offering for free the graduation gown. Our students were enthusiastic about the photo shooting, communicating with fellow alumni and Sherry and other school representatives.

Sherry Fu made a speech, introducing the recent development of alumni and activities, and encouraging students to come back the school often, contributing their efforts for the school. After the speech, all participants sat in a much casual way to introduce themselves. One student described his career development and shift from working for others to working for self, and becoming an entrepreneur, during his study in MBS; one student mentioned about her career shift as well, from working in charge of a very small part of the company, to managing a wider responsibilities. It was from the study of MBA with MBS that gave them a holistic view of their work and enabled them a brighter career future. Family support was also highly appreciated during the talk. The talk brought the celebration to a climax.

The study in the school came to an end, but indeed the spirit of the University ‘Original Thinking Applied’ will influence and benefit all students in their future study and work. Therefore, it is not an end, but a brand new start of the future.

2016 marks the 3^rd consecutive year that Manchester Global MBA students have taken part in the Asia Pacific MBA Dessert Challenge. Over 70 business schools participated in this year’s challenge. Number of participants exceeded 1500. MBS students finished the race with a new record, celebrating the best performance to date. 

During the 70 kilometers outdoor challenge, a total of 23 members took part, 12 of which officially competed, 2 worked as reporters, 9 are supporting team members. Over the course of 3 days, the weather has been extremely changeable. On the first day, the MBAs were greeted by sudden drop of temperature followed by complex stormy conditions. It is a test of physic and endurance. The following day was no less challenging, with strong winds and continuous drop of temperature. On the early morning of the third day, the tents went frozen when the temperature reached icy low level.

MBS has brought the most international team to Dessert Challenge 2016. The average age for MBS participants was 35, well exceeded the overall average age for the competition. Not only did they achieve the best record so far, they also formed the most international team. Coming to join the team, they had three students travelled all the way from Singapore.

Among MBS students, they balance personal life, career, study and physical training all together. There are career/industry-focused groups as well as interest-oriented groups such as marathon and outdoor activities established by students.

One of the merits shared by MBS students and alumni is the love for challenges. They challenge themselves by taking an MBA to take career to the next level, just like they enjoy the challenges physically and mentally brought by outdoor activities.

The 1^st Leadership Forum was organized in May 2016, in Shanghai.  The Forum was initiated and facilitated by Simon Zhou,China alumnus. Simon has blending 10 years of management experience with his expertise in the Talent Management, Leadership Development, Coaching & Mentoring, and Human Resources Management.

Over 30 alumni participated in the forum, and were actively engaged throughout the forum. The main theme is “What does good leadership look like?” Guided by Simon, participants shared the key challenges of leading others in the organization, how to overcome the challenges by strategically developing leadership, and mapped out the right competencies for the right level of leadership, especially for the level of leading others in the 1^st forum.

Simon quickly brought the “conceptual” down to the “practical” in the 1^st forum. Step by step, he guided participants by asking open questions, explaining the concepts, encouraging all to relate to and share their own experiences. All were actively engaged in open and frank discussions. At each point, he concluded, gave his insights and naturally moved to the next topic. His ability to flex and adapt to the needs of groups and cultures, ensured that participants not only understood the concepts but also were able to apply what they learnt to their real leadership roles and responsibilities.

The topic on ‘leadership’ was welcomed by our alumni. Registration limitation was quickly exceeded. For those not able to join, webinar facility was offered. Furthermore, one alumnus also provided professional on-site video recording, so that all who are interested in the topic will be able to review and learn afterwards.

China Centre Alumni Leadership Forum will be organized one a regular basis in the future. Each time, there will be different focus, either on the level of leadership or the specific competency. Both internal and external guest speakers will be invited to join.