Smith School Hosts MBA Students from Beijing

The Robert H. Smith School of Business hosted 37 first-year MBA students from Guanghua School of Management, Peking University (“PKU”) in Beijing, for a weeklong program that began July 16, 2018. The program included lectures from business and public policy faculty focused on topics related to a series of related site visits, e-commerce and a case competition.

The Smith School has enjoyed a strong partnership with Guanghua for many years and has collaborated with the school on several projects over the course of the relationship. The two schools jointly offer an undergraduate exchange program whereby students can spend a semester on the other school’s campus. The Dingman Center for Entrepreneurship also ran an international business model competition in Beijing with Guanghua for several years. The return of the PKU students to the UMD campus is a testament to their mutual commitment to the exchange of knowledge and culture between the two countries.

While in the Washington, D.C. metro, students had the opportunity to learn about U.S. culture, history and business through cultural excursions and business visits. The group had a full day in Annapolis, Md., and the National Harbor, where they toured the U.S. Naval Academy, went on an Annapolis Harbor Cruise, and visited Local Motors, a ground mobility company rethinking design through an online co-creation platform. Students also gained perspective on U.S. policy toward China during their visit to the U.S.-China Business Council, where they heard from the organization’s director of business advisory services. The group’s final excursion was a Bowie Baysox minor league baseball game, where they learned about The Great American Pastime and its rich traditions.

The week was highlighted by the case competition on the last day of the program. Students were introduced to the case on their first day, prepared the case throughout the week and presented their ideas on the final day of the program. The case competition was judged by the Center for Global Business’ Academic Director, Kislaya Prasad; Executive Director, Rebecca L. Bellinger; and professors Susan White, Yi Xu, Zeinab Karake, and Bobby Zhou. After intense deliberation, the judges awarded a first and second prize to the top teams.

“Engagement with faculty and students from partner institutions is at the core of the mission of the Center for Global Business,” said Bellinger. “It provides the Smith School with the opportunity to showcase our faculty expertise and connects our global partners with Maryland businesses.”

On an annual basis, the Smith School hosts approximately 10 programs and visiting delegations from around the world. Learn more about bringing an international group to the Smith School.

–Greg Rafal, Program Manager, Undergraduate Programs, Center for Global Business