Tsinghua EMBA program ranked No 4 in the world

China's executive MBA courses are winning growing global recognition, occupying five of the top 11 places in the 2012 Financial Times EMBA ranking of the worlds top programs.

Business schools in China run a variety of programs, but executive MBA (EMBA) education is the top course of study and can be considered China's contribution to the world of business education, said Qian Yingyi, dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University, at a press conference in Beijing on Tuesday.

The school's joint EMBA program with INSEAD, a leading graduate business school based in France, ranked No 4 in the new ranking released by the Financial Times on Oct 15.

Since its launch in 2007, the 18-month program, taught in English, has recruited 242 students from 35 countries. Duel degrees from both schools are granted to graduates, with courses run in Beijing, Singapore, Abu Dhabi and France.

In response to the high ranking, the two schools are expanding the scope of their partnership. INSEAD will receive students that are enrolled in other EMBA programs from Tsinghua on educational tours in France.

China is an attractive market for business schools worldwide. EMBA degrees, especially from elite schools, have great appeal to Chinese entrepreneurs. Many of them did not have a chance to do an MBA when starting their businesses. Now in their 40s, they have both the time and resources to make such an investment, Qian, the dean from Tsinghua said.

International programs jointly run by prestigious schools are competitive because they blend the advantages from both sides, he said.

Qian said a major draw card for students is being able to learn from Tsinghua professors who have a unique insight into the Chinese economy and can provide analysis about businesses in China and their challenges. On the French side, INSEAD is good at providing leadership development.

Qian has taught macroeconomics and Chinese economy in the joint program for the past six years. He said he felt great pressure to compete with professors from INSEAD and match their teaching skills, because many professors from INSEAD have decades' of teaching experience in business schools and many have English as their native tongue.

More innovative ideas are under way to make the program more attractive. From autumn 2012, students will have better access to Tsinghua University. They will visit 10 key laboratories and meet with members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. They will be informed of the most cutting-edge technologies and may also identify potential investment opportunities, Qian said.

A joint program between the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and the Business School at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology topped the 2012 Financial Times EMBA ranking.