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A New Era in Global Education: Peking University’s Future Leaders Program

In a significant milestone for global education, Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management welcomed the sixth group of students to its international undergraduate program, 'Future Leaders', this September. Launched in 2019, this dual-degree program is designed to cultivate leaders with a deep understanding of China and a broad international perspective. Over the years, it has successfully established a network of 15 top international business schools, attracting a total of 235 exceptional students from 35 different countries and regions.

The Program Structure

The 'Future Leaders' program distinguishes itself by assembling top students selected from each partner university. After spending two years at their home institutions, these students come to Peking University Guanghua for an intensive two-year program. Here, they face a challenging curriculum and collaborate with leading companies. Their education is not confined to Beijing; it extends to Guanghua's satellite campuses across China. This structure allows students to engage directly with the country's dynamic economy and innovative spirit, equipping them with practical insights into Chinese markets amidst a globally diverse cohort.

The innovative approach of the program was highlighted at a recent Future Leaders Deans Forum held in Beijing, where deans from 16 institutions gathered. The forum culminated in the signing of a consensus on the future of business education, emphasizing digital transformation, sustainability, interdisciplinary learning, and ethical, globally-minded leadership.

The Importance of Imaginative Leadership

Professor Liu Qiao, dean of the Guanghua School of Management, noted, "Business education is at a crossroads. We need to instill in our students not just technical skills, but also imagination, values, and the courage to tackle complex social issues." The admissions process for the program is highly selective, choosing students from the top 20% of their universities through a rigorous two-stage assessment. This ensures a group of academically successful and globally diverse students.

Graduates of the program have gone on to pursue significant careers in finance, consulting, technology, and social innovation. They are employed by prestigious companies such as Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Tencent, and the United Nations or are launching their own enterprises or pursuing further studies at renowned institutions like Stanford, Harvard, and Oxford.

Niklas Muennighoff, a member of the first graduating class who is currently studying for his Ph.D. in artificial intelligence at Stanford University, said, "The Future Leaders program provided me with a real understanding of Chinese business culture and how to work effectively across borders. The experience with the capstone project was pivotal in shaping my professional outlook."

As the program expands its network through engagement with institutions in the UK, Australia, Mexico, Indonesia, and beyond, 'Future Leaders' evolves into a broader experiment focused on how universities can collaborate to prepare students for an era of shared global challenges.