The Association of Asia-Pacific Business Schools (AAPBS) Annual Meeting was held at Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM) from October 10 to 12, 2024. Centered on the theme "Another 20 Years of Asia-Pacific Business Education," the event brought together nearly 130 experts, scholars, industry guests, and faculty and students from 37 universities in 18 countries and regions to discuss emerging trends and share research findings in the field of management.

At the opening of the conference, Yang Bin, vice president of Tsinghua University, delivered a welcome speech emphasizing the school's commitment to partnerships with universities across the Asia-Pacific region. He noted that in an era of economic globalization, Tsinghua University is committed to addressing regional and global challenges, especially those related to the development of higher education, the economy, and advancements in science and technology. Yang highlighted the university's focus on enhancing the quality of higher education in the Asia-Pacific region. "I hope you can share your valuable experiences in business education and practice, and jointly explore new modes and methods of business education to meet the needs of the new era." Yang said, reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the AAPBS.

Yang Bin speaks at the AAPBS annual meeting.

Bai Chong-En, dean of Tsinghua SEM, distinguished professor of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at Tsinghua University, and current chairman of AAPBS, delivered the opening speech. Bai said this year also marks the 40th anniversary of Tsinghua SEM. He emphasized the school's leadership in talent development, scientific research, social influence, and international collaboration. Bai also highlighted the school's partnerships with many AAPBS member schools, which have facilitated student exchange programs, dual degree programs, and other initiatives. Bai expressed a commitment to exploring and innovating within business education and an aim to nurture business leaders with a global vision, innovative spirit, and social responsibility. He said he hoped the discussion at this annual meeting would enable member schools to advance business education in the Asia-Pacific region over the next twenty years.

Bai Chong-En speaks at the AAPBS annual meeting.

The annual meeting included three panel discussions on major topics. The first panel, chaired by Professor He Ping, deputy dean of Tsinghua SEM, focused on "The Impact of Culture on Business Practice and Education." Panelists included Guan Mingyu, senior partner and managing partner of McKinsey & Company; Jikyeong Kang, president and dean of the Asian Institute of Management; Hiroshi Nakamura, dean of the Graduate School of Business Administration at Keio University; and Jongmin Lee, assistant professor of international business at the School of Business of Yonsei University. They discussed the cultural similarities and differences across the Asia-Pacific region and their influence on business and education, exploring these issues from various perspectives such as corporate work structures, multinational company operations, and corporate culture.

(From left to right) He Ping, Guan Mingyu, Jikyeong Kang, Jongmin Lee and Hiroshi Nakamura join the first panel discussion at the AAPBS annual meeting.

The second panel, titled "AI and Business Education," was chaired by Li Ning, chair of the Department of Leadership and Organization Management at Tsinghua SEM and Flextronics Chair Professor. Panelists included CHEUNG Waiman, associate dean (graduate studies) of the Business School of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK); Ding Yuan, Cathay Capital chair professor of accounting and former dean at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS), as well as EQUIS associate director and Asia senior advisor for EFMD; Svetlana Mironyuk, dean for Operations and Digital at the Moscow School of Management SKOLKOVO; and Geoff Perry, executive vice president, chief membership officer and managing director for the Asia Pacific region of AACSB International. Discussion focused on the role of artificial intelligence in transforming business education. Panelists explored this transformation from multiple dimensions, including technical challenges associated with AI, potential educational applications, regulatory frameworks and necessary reforms in educational systems.

(From left to right) Li Ning, Cheung Waiman, Ding Yuan, Svetlana Mironyuk and Geoff Perry join the second panel discussion at the AAPBS annual meeting.

The third panel, titled "How to Manage a Supply Chain in an Uncertain World," was chaired by Ma Hong, vice chair of the Department of Economics at Tsinghua SEM. The panelists included Stanley Chang, vice president of Supply Chain Greater China at Nike Sports (China) Co. Ltd; Tartat Mokkhamakkul, dean of the Chulalongkorn Business School at Chulalongkorn University; Hollis Qi, director of Lenovo Research; Zhang Tianbing, lead partner of Deloitte Asia Pacific Consumer Products & Retail Sector; and Xu Mingtao, associate professor of the Department of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Strategy at Tsinghua SEM. Using the Chinese market as a case study, the panelists proposed a range of forward-looking strategic suggestions from perspectives such as efficiency and resilience, managing cost controls, the social environment, and technology transformation.

(From left to right) Ma Hong, Stanley Chang, Tartat Mokkhamakkul, Hollis Qi, Xu Mingtao and ZHANG Tianbing join the third panel discussion at the AAPBS annual meeting.

At the AAPBS Annual Meeting, the AAPBS Distinguished Fellows Award was presented to two honorees. Bai Chong-En awarded the prizes to Professor Zhao Chunjun of Tsinghua SEM and Professor Sung Joo Park from the Business School of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST). Both recipients delivered speeches reflecting on the development of AAPBS's over the past two decades and looking forward to the future prospects of AAPBS in education, research, corporate collaboration, and social services.

The annual meeting provided an opportunity for participating members to further refine and clarify AAPBS's organizational structure and future planning. The meeting eagerly explored cutting-edge topics and academic achievements in the field of management, promoting deeper development of management research. Looking forward, AAPBS member schools are committed to working together to push the association to new heights. They aim to make more significant contributions to business management education in the Asia-Pacific region, while also providing intellectual and talent support for the broader prosperity and development of the Asia-Pacific and global economy.

The AAPBS is a regional, non-profit organization founded by 11 business schools in the Asia-Pacific region. Its mission is to promote and strengthen exchanges and cooperation among business schools, enhance the quality of business education, and cultivate outstanding management talent to drive economic prosperity. AAPBS currently includes more than 100 member schools, with 21 of them serving on the council. As a founding and council member school, Tsinghua SEM hosted the first AAPBS annual meeting in 2005.

Attendees pose for a group photo following the AAPBS annual meeting.