Today marked the end of this year’s Global Network Week at Renmin University of China's School of Business (RBS).

The day began with each of the student groups presenting what they learned on the theme of this year’s Global Network Week at RBS – Managing Relationships in China: a State-Owned Enterprise (SOE) Perspective.

I found it very interesting to hear what each group took away from the lectures and company visits we attended over the week; particularly those students who travelled from Yale and IE. It was also interesting to see how many student’s perspectives on China and SOEs had changed over the course of the week – some initially believed China to be quite authoritarian, but now view it as more flexible than they previously anticipated.

Juan Feeney from IE Business School in Madrid mentioned how he found the “exchange with local students (at RBS) so impressive and interesting”, and how he was impressed with the scale of development he witnessed during his time in China. I personally found it fantastic to see how much students like Juan had learnt during GNW, not only about SOEs in China but also Chinese life and culture.

GNW was a fantastic opportunity for us to meet and network with students from Yale and IE, and learn from their vast experiences. Their new perspectives and views on China and SOEs also gave us much to think about when considering our own established viewpoints.

We finished the day with an award presentation and some group photos in front of the iconic Renmin University of China Mingde Builiding, a great memento for all those involved in this week’s activities.           

And so with that, this year’s Global Network Week at RBS has come to an end. To our new friends from overseas we don’t say goodbye, but rather 再見, which means “See you again”.
 

About Global Network Week

Launched by the Global Network for Advanced Management and Yale School of Management in 2013 the Global Network Week has expanded to over 27 schools from 25 nations. Global Network Week gives students the opportunity to travel to another school for a one-week intensive mini-course.

About The School of Business, Renmin University of China (RBS)

Founded in 1950 Renmin University of China’s business programs were the first to be established in the People’s Republic of China. The School of Business is both EQUIS and AACSB accredited and in 2013 was ranked first in the study of Business Administration by China’s Ministry of Education. RBS first commenced its MBA program in 1990 and later launched its International MBA program (in English) in 2009. Since 1990 over 6,000 students have successfully graduated from Renmin’s MBA programs.

By Shaun Harkness, IMBA Class of 2016