On February 3-4, 2026, Professor Fangruo Chen, Dean of Antai College of Economics and Management (ACEM) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, attended the 2026 EFMD Deans Conference held at WU Vienna University of Economics and Business in Vienna, Austria. Dean Chen participated as a featured speaker at the session titled "Beyond Partnerships: Deepening Corporate Engagement in Business Education" moderated by Professor Rupert Sausgruber, Rector of WU Vienna.

In his address, Dean Chen introduced a strategy to bridge the gap between academia and industry. ACEM aims to deepen faculty involvement in long-term industry engagement, and this dual-focus strategy on both discipline research and industry practice enhances classroom learning, boosts high-impact research output and strengthens alumni connections. Dean Chen emphasized the critical role of evaluation systems in fostering a culture that values industry engagement. He pointed out that such mechanisms are essential for sustaining long-term growth and effective industry collaboration within the business school.

During the interactive session, Dean Chen exchanged views with fellow deans on key issues including incentive mechanisms, policy continuity, culture building, and student experience, drawing on ACEM’s practical experience. His insightful contributions were met with high recognition and resonated strongly with the participants.

Representing Chinese business education, Dean Chen showcased the growing global influence of Chinese business schools. His participation also underscored ACEM’s commitment to advancing innovation in management education and deepening international cooperation.

The European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) is a leading global accreditation and professional organization dedicated to management education. Its annual Deans Conference serves as a critical platform for business school leaders worldwide to exchange insights, build partnerships, and address frontier challenges in management education.