On September 9th, 2023, the Inaugural Conference of the first Strategic Advisory Board (hereinafter referred to as the Strategic Advisory Board) of East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) Business School was successfully held. 12 scholars including Prof. Oliver HART (Nobel Laureate in Economics, Professor of Harvard University, Honorary Professor of ECUST, Director of the Oliver Hart Research Center of Contracts and Governance), Prof. TIAN He (Academician of Chinese Academy of Science), Prof. YANG Shanlin (Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering), Prof. QIAN Feng, Prof. CHEN Xiaohong, Prof. TU Shandong, Prof. TANG Lixin, as well as 10 entrepreneurs, including Prof. SONG Zhiping (President, China Association of Listed Companies; President, China Enterprise Reform and Development Research Association), Mr. YU Feng (President, Honeywell China), were officially appointed as members of the Strategic Advisory Board. Mr. YUAN Guohua (Chairman of Strategic Advisory Board, Deputy Secretary of the Party Working Committee, Chair of Group Council, President, Shanghai Lin-gang Economic Development (Group) Co.,Ltd.) hosted the conference. Prof. YAN Haifeng, Vice President of ECUST, delivered a speech on behalf of the University.

Picture of the Conference

Prof. YAN Haifeng congratulated on the establishment of the Strategic Advisory Board. He pointed out that its establishment is a significant strategic initiative to comply with the new requirements for the development of higher education in the new era, and to realize the connotative development of the Business School. It is hoped that under the guidance of the Board members, we will run a Business School with the characteristics of a University of science and technology, so as to make greater contribution to the economic development and social progress of our country.

According to Prof. Oliver Hart, global climate change and ecological degradation have already exerted a profound impact on human society. While generating profits and being responsible for the interests of shareholders, enterprises should also actively undertake social responsibility. As future managers of enterprises, students of the School should be equipped with both the awareness of and ability to facilitate sustainable development. It is suggested that the School should offer more courses on corporate governance and sustainable development, and cultivate high-calibre business talents with an elevated level of social responsibility and business ethics for the sake of the overall interests of the society.

Prof. Oliver Hart Delivering a Speech

Taking Lin-gang Special Area of China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone as an example, Mr. YUAN Guohua shared the relevant experiences and cases of industry-education-research cooperation in recent years, suggesting that the School should pay more attention to cultivating comprehensive talents with advanced technology and managerial knowledge, employing managerial knowledge to put technology into practice, so as to empower Chinese enterprises and solve the major problems of industries.

Mr. YUAN Guohua Delivering a Speech

Focusing on the School's vision of "to be a leading business school in China" and its mission of "to bridge business with technology, and to nurture managerial talents with advanced knowledge and practical ability", the Board members provided insightful advice on fronts including the innovation of institutions and mechanisms, optimization of the layout of disciplines, cultivation of top-notch talents, design of strategic planning, international exchange and cooperation, and so on. It is hoped that the School will further clarify its steps of strategy implementation, combine the advantages of the science and technology background of ECUST, develop "ECUST characteristics" and "ECUST mode", and continuously improve its core competitiveness. It is vital to optimize integrated planning, lay more emphasis on the development of cross-disciplines and preponderant disciplines, develop new teaching modes in accordance with the market demand, innovate ideas and collaborate in research, adapt to and lead the new trends in the industry, and to provide intellectual support for the development of related industries. It is necessary to further strengthen international cooperation and exchange, improve the quality of collaborative programmes, elevate the internationalization of faculty members, and expand the platform for students' overseas exchanges.

Members of the Strategic Advisory Board Sharing Insights

Group Photo of the Strategic Advisory Board Members and ECUST Participants

Prof. MA Tieju, Dean of the School of Business, reported on the development of the School over the past years at this conference.

Members of Strategic Advisory Board of ECUST School of Business

（Names alphabetized by surname）