On January 7, 2026, the International Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) program, jointly offered by Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU), officially welcomed the class of 2025 in a ceremony held in Shanghai. The event gathered college leadership, academic directors, alumni, current students, and the newly admitted cohort along the scenic Huangpu River, marking the beginning of a transformative academic journey.

SJTU-SMU DBA: A Leading DBA Program in China

During the opening remarks, Chen Fangruo, Dean of Antai College of Economics and Management at SJTU, shared insights from a digital exhibition of the Forbidden City, emphasizing the institution's commitment to merging theoretical knowledge with practical application in business education. In an era dominated by rapid advancements in artificial intelligence, he highlighted the need for executives to understand underlying systems and the pivotal role of human insights in elevating knowledge to wisdom and foresight.

Sang Dawei, Deputy Dean of Antai College, reflected on the evolution of the SJTU-SMU DBA program, which has grown to become one of the most influential in China. Designed to shape "scholar-practitioner entrepreneurs" with both academic depth and practical excellence, the program encourages students to transition from practitioners to creators of knowledge during their studies.

Professor Luo Jifeng, Academic Director of the SJTU-SMU DBA program, urged incoming students to convert their sharp business insights into scholarly achievements, truly embodying the principle of "Integration of knowledge and practice".

Gao Jingxin, Director of the Executive Education Center, remarked that the ceremony represents the start of a shared academic narrative, with each participant contributing as both author and reader.

Comprehensive Orientation

Associate Professor Tan Huifen from SMU's Lee Kong Chian School of Business delivered the inaugural lecture, offering a comprehensive overview of SMU’s educational strengths, research priorities, and the DBA program's curriculum. She provided valuable advice on thesis writing, mentor selection, and academic planning, encouraging students to engage deeply in their research over the four to five-year program to achieve substantial academic growth.

Program Highlights

Program Structure

The DBA spans 3-5 years and includes 8 core and 5 elective courses, utilizing interactive, small-class teaching in both Chinese and English.

Alumni Success Stories

Three distinguished alumni—Zeng Qian (Class of 2018), Huang Haoyu (Class of 2018), and Ronnie NG (Class of 2019)—shared their experiences, illustrating how the program has enhanced their careers across finance, healthcare entrepreneurship, and educational technology.

Zeng Qian, with over two decades in investment banking, described how the DBA restructured her analytical approach, moving from pure number-crunching to understanding the commercial essence behind data, thus evolving into a strategic investor.

Huang Haoyu summarized his seven-year journey as enriching and profound. Despite career changes that disrupted his research, he completed his studies through persistence and adjusting his research focus to address real-world challenges.

Ronnie NG shared the challenges of a non-native language academic environment, highlighting how preparation and collaborative efforts led to successful business ventures with fellow students.

The integration of a digital exhibition from the Forbidden City into the orientation symbolized the program's blend of technology and humanities, inviting students to explore deeper dimensions and broader horizons in management.

As the tenth cohort of the DBA program embarks on this academic voyage, SJTU and SMU remain committed to fostering globally minded leaders equipped with academic rigor and innovative spirit, poised to make significant contributions to global business landscapes.

SJTU-SMU DBA Class of 2026 Enrollment

Contact Number: 021-52301020