From May 13 to 15, the 29th Deans & Directors Meeting of the Global Network for Advanced Management (GNAM) was held at SDA Bocconi School of Management in Milan, Italy. Representatives from more than 30 leading business schools worldwide, including Renmin Business School (RMBS), Yale School of Management, Saïd Business School, and Fudan University School of Management, gathered to discuss the transformation of business schools in the age of AI, the evolving role of higher education, and innovations in the governance of global business school collaboration networks.

RMBS was represented at the meeting by Prof. Yi Jingtao, Dean; Prof. Zhang Zelin, Associate Dean; and Ms. Wang Yangwen, Executive Director of the MBA Program.

Centered on the theme “The Evolving Role of Higher Education Amid Rapid Global Changes”, the conference focused on AI-driven innovations in business education, the impact of global restructuring on management education, curriculum reform, the cultivation of global competencies, and innovations in the governance of global business school networks. During the discussions, RMBS’s delegates shared experience in inclusive internationalization, digital curriculum reform, and cooperation with Belt and Road partner countries. RMBS’s experiences and achievements gained wide recognition from meeting participants.

During the meeting, RMBS delegates held in-depth exchanges with fellow GNAM institutions, including SDA Bocconi, Saïd Business School, Stockholm School of Economics, and the Faculty of Economics and Business at Universitas Indonesia. The discussions focused on key areas of cooperation such as student exchange and joint academic programs, paving the way for future in-depth collaboration.

Founded in 2012 by Yale School of Management, RMBS, and other leading business schools worldwide, GNAM has become a core platform for promoting international collaborations in management education. As the only founding institution from mainland China, RMBS has long been deeply involved in the development of the network, actively hosting and participating in signature events such as Global Network Week, online flagship courses, and international competitions, while playing an important role in the network’s governance and growth.

Since the launch of the first Global Network Week in 2013, RMBS has continuously contributed to the program as a founding member. As GNAM’s signature initiative, the development of Global Network Week reflects the network’s growing global influence. The inaugural program in 2013 involved only five founding institutions, offering 10 program options to 247 students. In 2014, participation expanded to 11 institutions, with 55 program offerings and 469 students. By 2015, the network had grown further to 18 institutions, featuring 153 program options and attracting more than 650 students. Today, GNAM brings together 33 leading business schools worldwide, with its collaborative network continuing to expand globally.

Participation in the meeting not only further strengthened RMBS’s strategic partnerships with top business schools around the world, but also demonstrated the school’s growing engagement and influence in global business education governance. Going forward, RMBS will continue to leverage high-level international platforms such as GNAM to expand global exchanges, contribute to the development of global business education governance, and share Chinese management insights with the world.