Dean's Message丨Global Ambition, Local Foundation 图南培风，云程发轫

Global Ambition, Local Foundation

图南培风，云程发轫

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed faculty members, distinguished guests, and, most importantly, our bright and brilliant Class 2023,

Good afternoon!

Today I stand before you, with tremendous honor and humility, as the Dean of a truly remarkable institution, Zhejiang University International Business School, ZIBS. On behalf of the faculty, staff, and the entire ZIBS community, I extend a heartfelt and warm welcome to all of you — our newest students, scholars, and staff members hailing from China and around the world.

Today marks the new beginning of a transformative journey for each of you and for ZIBS. As you step foot on our beautiful International Campus, you are joining a global family, a community of dreamers, thinkers, innovators, and leaders. ZIBS is not just a place of learning; it is a place of aspiration, ambition and action, a place of competition, cooperation and collaboration, a place of dreaming, doing and determination, a place of energization, empowerment and entrepreneurship, and a place of integration, innovation and inspiration.

Our Motto

Our motto at ZIBS is simple yet profound: "Connecting the World, Shaping the Future." These words encapsulate the very essence of what we stand for, and they guide us in our pursuit of global excellence. 

 Connecting the World  reflects ZIBS dedication to global engagement and fostering connections among students, faculty, and partners from diverse backgrounds and cultures. It emphasizes the importance of cross-cultural understanding, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas to address global challenges in an increasingly divided world.

 Shaping the Future  underscores ZIBS role in equipping students with the knowledge, skills, and ethical values needed to make a positive impact on the world. It signals a commitment to preparing future leaders who can drive innovation and positive change in the ever-evolving business landscape, characterized by VUCA, that is Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity & Ambiguity.

Our motto at ZIBS is more than just words; it guides us in everything we do and underscores our commitment to "connecting and changing the world, to shaping and sharing the future."

Our Theme

Global Ambition, Local Foundation

To support our commitment, each year we choose a theme, with global relevance and Chinese essence, to sharpen our focus and priorities:

2019

志之所趋，无远弗届

No Limitation for Aspiration

2020

行远自迩，不以山海

Small Steps, Big Journey

2021

择善而从，行必能至

Join the Wise, Strive to Thrive

2022

大道行思，取则行远

Right Path, Smart Growth

For our new academic year, we have chosen the following theme:

Global Ambition is the burning desire to make an impact on a global scale, to transcend geographical boundaries, and to contribute positively to the international community. It's about embracing diversity, fostering international partnerships, and having the courage to explore uncharted territories.

Global Ambition is about instilling in you, our students, the confidence and competence to reach beyond the horizon, to challenge the status quo, to connect and change the world, and to embrace and enable innovation and entrepreneurship as drivers of global progress.

Global Ambition signifies our commitment to nurturing future generations of students who aspire to make a global difference, and who possess the curiosity and capacity to shape the future, and thrive in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world where change is a constant.

At ZIBS, we believe that nurturing global ambition is essential because we live in an interconnected world where businesses, academia, economies, and societies are more interdependent than ever before.

At ZIBS, our students, you, are the embodiment of this Global Ambition. You understand that the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow require a global perspective. ZIBS and its ecosystem will inspire your Global Ambition, prepare you to seize those opportunities, and take on the world with confidence and competence.

But let us NOT forget that every global endeavor starts with a strong and solid foundation. This is where "Local Foundation" comes into play.

Local Foundation provides us with the stability, scalability, skills, and wisdom needed to navigate the complexities of a globalized world. It serves as a bridge between our rich heritage of Zhejiang University and beyond, and the global future we aspire to create.

At ZIBS, we believe that in order to excel on the global stage, one must first understand and appreciate the local context. Our beautiful campus here in Haining and Zhejiang, surrounded by rich cultural heritage and a thriving business ecosystem, provides the perfect backdrop for you to develop this crucial understanding.

At ZIBS, we take pride in our local roots because they provide us with a deep understanding of our environment, a sense of responsibility towards our community, and the values that underpin our global ambitions. Your journey here will be enriched by the fusion of global perspectives and local wisdom, a combination that will uniquely prepare you for the challenges and opportunities of the new era.

At ZIBS, our commitment to local foundations goes beyond the classroom. It extends to our engagement with the local community, our partnerships with regional businesses, and our contributions to sustainable development in Zhejiang Province and beyond.

In conclusion, the theme of "Global Ambition, Local Foundation" encapsulates the core values of ZIBS. It reminds us that we are an integral part of a global ecosystem, and our actions have far-reaching consequences. By nurturing global ambition and building on a solid local foundation, we are preparing ourselves to be leaders, entrepreneurs, and change-makers who will shape the world for the better.

Our Ambition

At ZIBS our vision and ambition are to build a science & technology-focused premier global business school from China. To achieve this vision and ambition, we adhere to our core principles — the 5 I's: International, Innovative, Interdisciplinary, Inclusive, and Integrative. Let's explore how these principles resonate with our theme today: "Global Ambition, Local Foundation."

International

ZIBS is proud to be a truly international business school, where our students, scholars, and staff come from all across China and over 70 countries in the world. We have one of the most impressive International Advisory Board, who have brought their vast experiences and expertise as leaders of government, multilateral institutions like United Nations & World Bank, multinational companies like Ant Group, Cargill, HSBC, JP Morgan Chase, academic institutions like Wharton & Cambridge, and Nobel Laureate and social innovators. Our international character enriches our learning environment and broadens our perspectives. Embrace this diversity, for it is the cornerstone of your global ambition. 

Innovative

Innovation is at the heart of everything we do and is the motto and very tradition of Zhejiang University, one of the oldest and most innovative institutions in China and probably in the world. It is also a hallmark of Zhejiang Province, a hub of entrepreneurship, home to global leaders like Alibaba, Ant Group, Geely, Qingshan, Wahaha…. It's not just about staying ahead in the business world; it's about making a positive impact. Here, through our ZIBS Innovation Center serving the entire campus and beyond, you'll be more than encouraged to think creatively, push boundaries, and transform ideas into reality. This innovative spirit starts locally but extends globally.

Interdisciplinary

In our interconnected world, problems are rarely confined to one discipline. We believe in the power of interdisciplinary collaboration. Today, our seven degree programs from iMBA, international Master of Finance, to Master of China Studies and Master of Data Science, to Global Communication and Management and Master of Fine Arts are the results of our partnership with 5 different schools and colleges, from School of Economics, School of Management, College of Media & International Culture, to Center of Data Sciences and Faculty of Humanities…. At ZIBS, you'll have abundant opportunities to work across disciplines, breaking down silos to tackle complex global challenges. 

Inclusive

Inclusivity is not just a buzzword for ZIBS — it's the ZIBS way of life. We value diversity, equity, and inclusion, recognizing that every voice matters. We have made English an official language in ZIBS. We have prestigious forums such as ZIBS Global Deans’ Forum, ZIBS Global Leaders Series, but we also have ZIBS Insights Series, Juanhu Fireside Chat…. Our Local Foundation is built on the principles of inclusivity, where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. We serve local community not just with words but with real actions and institutional platforms, such as Haining Academy.

Integrative

We don't just educate business professionals; we nurture leaders who can integrate knowledge, adapt to change, and create sustainable solutions. Our approach is holistic, preparing you to connect the world and shape the future. WE have prestigious CEO Programs and many other specialized programs for different learning needs. In all our programs and in everything we do, we integrate theory with practice, integrate local wisdom with global practices, integrate education with business, integrate finance with enterprises, integrate online with offline, integrate academia with industry and government, integrate our global ambition with local foundation….

Our Strategy

In addition to our core principles, our strategic pillars — Global, Digital, and Ecosystem — guide our path forward.

Global strategy

Our global perspective transcends borders. We prepare you not only to compete but to excel in the global arena. Your global ambition begins here, with a strong local foundation. WE have already established a global network of offices, hubs and partnerships, from Haining to Hangzhou, from Asia to Africa, from Beijing to Bangkok, from Indonesia to Italy, from Mumbai to Milano, from Shanghai to Singapore, from the United Arab Emirates to the United Kingdom and the United States... and more to come.

Digital strategy

In this digital age, we embrace technology as a powerful tool for learning, research, and innovation. Our commitment to digital excellence ensures you're well-equipped to thrive in the digital economy. We are inspired by digital leaders from Tencent to TikTok, from Google to GOTO and Grab, from Alibaba, Ant Group to Amazon, and from Meta to Microsoft; we pioneer some of the best practices in digital age, like the Metaverse Campus we launched last year; and last month we appointed Professor ZHANG Ruidong as CTO of ZIBS, probably the first business school to have done so.

Ecosystem strategy

Just as ecosystems rely on the interdependence of various elements, our approach to business education is similarly integrated. We foster partnerships with industry, academia, and society, and have created a unique and vibrant global ecosystem with depth and diversity that supports your growth. ZIBS is not just a business school; it is an ecosystem that spans industry associations, innovative incubators and incubated companies, independent non-profit think-tanks, and other partners from home and abroad, with ZIBS at its core.

Once again, welcome to ZIBS, Zhejiang University International Business School, where the world is your classroom, and the future is yours to shape. In the spirit of today’s theme Global Ambition & Local Foundation, I encourage you all to embrace this transformative journey with an open heart and an open mind. Learn from one another, celebrate our differences, and work together to tackle the global challenges of our time. Let the world be your classroom, and let your experiences here at ZIBS be the foundation upon which you build your global ambitions. Together, we will explore, innovate, and create a better future for our world. 

In conclusion, I want to leave you with a quote by the renowned Chinese philosopher Confucius: "It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop." Your journey at ZIBS may have just begun, and it may seem daunting at times, but remember, every step you take here brings you closer to your dreams. Similarly, for ZIBS, every effort we make today to strengthen our Local Foundation brings us closer to our Global Ambition: A Premier Global Business School from China, Focused on Science & Technology and Innovations. 

Thank you, and let us make this academic year and our entire journey of learning a truly remarkable one.

Warm regards,

BEN Shenglin

(This is based on the opening remarks given during 2023 ZIBS Welcome Ceremony.)

Editor｜LI Songjiao

Managing Editor｜CHENQI Lisha

Recommended Reading

More about ZIBS

发现“分享”和“收藏”了吗，戳我看看吧！