Fulltime FMBA Team Leads The Fourth Shanghai-Berlin Business Students Dialogue | FMBA

Release time：2024-12-11    

The students from the Fulltime Finance Master of Business Administration (FMBA) program at Fudan University’s International School of Finance (FISF) participated via online in the 4th Shanghai-Berlin Business Students Dialogue on November 26th during this year’s Asia Berlin Summit (ABS) held at the Rotes Rathaus (Red Town Hall) in Berlin.

Students from the Fulltime FMBA program at FISF and students from the European School of Management and Technology (ESMT) participated in this transcontinental forum via livestream to deep dive into the topic of "The Future Global Impact of Technology and Innovation Entrepreneurship."

This year’s ABS 2024 was held in Berlin from November 25th to the 29th and focuses on key topics such as Fintech, Artificial Intelligence, Mobility Solutions, Green Technology, and Health Technology, bringing together numerous enterprises, investment firms, research institutes, and industry associations involved in technological innovation. Initiated by the Berlin Senate (city government) 27 years ago as the Asia Berlin Forum focused on cultural exchange, the ABS has been held annually since 2020 to a new entrepreneurial focus and has become one of Germany's most prestigious technology innovation events. It has successfully built an exchange platform for the development of innovation between Germany and Asia.

1, Opening remarks by Professor Charles Chang

At the opening of the dialogue, Professor Charles Chang Deputy Dean of Fudan University’s International Finance School, Director of the Fintech Research Center, and Professor of Finance, delivered a thought-provoking keynote address on the theme, "Why is it so important to actively engage in the ABS in today’s challenging and turbulent environment?"

Professor Chang highlighted the profound changes taking place in the world, both economically and politically, as well as the remarkable advancements in technology. He emphasized the importance of students reflecting on the transformations around them while carefully considering the future. “In this rapidly evolving world, it’s crucial to stay aware of what is happening now and to think strategically about what lies ahead,” he said.

Professor Chang also addressed the accelerating development of artificial intelligence, noting that we now live in a global community where data transcends national borders. In the face of emerging challenges, Chang underscored the vital role that young people and AI will play in developing innovative solutions.

Professor Chang’s compelling remarks ignited deep reflection and sparked lively discussions among students from across the globe and online participants, who engaged in debates about the future of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

2. Online Dialogue between Shanghai and Berlin

The Shanghai-Berlin Business Students Dialogue is a side event of this year’s ABS conducted using the Lark collaborative platform, linking the Shanghai studio to the main summit in Berlin in realtime. The event at FISF was co-hosted by FISF FMBA 2024 cohort representatives Emily Jiang, Lee Qiau Sin, Ezra Shen, Krystal Wang, Sophie Xie and Mr. Allen Chou, Honorary Ambassador of the Asia Berlin Summit and adjunct professor in Sustainability and Corporate Innovation at FISF.

On the Berlin side at the Rotes Rathaus, Mr. Baris Efe, Co-Founder and Head at Vali, Entrepreneurship Hub at ESMT moderated the program.  Other panelists include Enrico Tritto, ESMT MIE Program (From Italy and part ESMT's MIE Program with a perfect 4.0 GPA) ; Kewal Barhate, ESMT MIE Program (From India and part of ESMT's MIE Program, heir to an Indian multinational family business) ；Ray Lu 鲁丰 , an exchange students at ESMT from Fudan University’s School of Management, and Christopher Ocker, Administrative Assistant at the Asia Berlin Summit Organizing Committee 2024 (who’s a freshman in college).

Students from both schools and representatives from the ABS Organizing Committee discussed what each schools is doing to advance the entrepreneurship and tech innovation which drove the main topic of discussion.  Students from both school talked about how their institutions are helping students to actively participate in innovation and entrepreneurship activities, and what both sides can do to attract more students to participate in the ABS in the future, among other topics.

In the dialogue Emily Jiang of the 24 FT Cohort hosted the topic "The Current State of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Fudan University" and introduced the following content to the students in Berlin.

Fudan University Showcases Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Asia Berlin Summit (ABS)

As one of China’s leading institutions, Fudan has made notable strides in fostering innovation and supporting startups. With the backing of the innovation ecosystem in Shanghai’s Yangpu District, the university operates over 20 entrepreneurial incubation centers, assisting more than 2,000 startups annually. These efforts contribute to Shanghai’s emergence as a global hub for entrepreneurship and technological innovation.

Global Impact in Finance Summit (GIFS): Fostering Innovation in Cutting-Edge Technologies

A key event organized by the Fulltime FMBA cohort at FISF, is the Global Impact in Finance Summit (GIFS). The 2024 summit focused on emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, high technology, and big data. It brought together startup founders and tech experts to share their experiences and insights into innovation. GIFS serves not only as an event but as a platform for collaboration, bringing together entrepreneurs, investors, and industry leaders to foster cross-disciplinary dialogue and build a network for future cooperation.

Fudan University on the Global Stage at the Asia-Berlin Summit (ABS)

Fudan’s participation at the ABS further highlighted its global impact in the fields of innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, the Shanghai-Berlin Student Dialogue, offered young students a platform for cultural exchange and discussions on sustainable development and cross-border entrepreneurship opportunities.

Lee from Malaysia Discusses Shanghai’s Talent Attraction Programs

Lee, a student from Malaysia, shared her perspective on Shanghai’s initiatives to attract international talent. She stated:

“In Shanghai, we have many programs designed to attract talent, just like Berlin. Talent is the key to a city’s progress. Shanghai offers international talent various forms of support, including research funding, housing subsidies, talent apartments, healthcare, and education for children.

At Fudan University, we have a diverse international student body from across the world. For example, I am from Malaysia, and my classmates come from the UK, Canada, Indonesia, Thailand, Russia, and more. In Shanghai, at Fudan, we welcome you to join us! This is a place where talent can live, work, and innovate. You can pursue what you love and what interests you."

A Memorable Online Dialogue and Cultural Exchange

The online dialogue at the ABS was an unforgettable experience. Professor Chou’s thoughtful preparation of a case of German beer native to Munich and pretzels added a unique touch to the event, creating a relaxed atmosphere for the hour long discussion.

Thoughts From The Fudan Team

This was more than just an online meeting; it was a good space for exchanging ideas and cultural interaction between two major cities. Each conversation sparked new possibilities for future collaboration and innovation.

Students left with fresh perspectives and a renewed sense of direction for the future. We want to thank the ABS organizing committee and our counterparts in Berlin for the great time and look forward to next year’s dialogue, anticipating more valuable insights and exciting developments between Shanghai and Berlin. 

The dialogue was an eye opener and hopefully we’ll all make it to Berlin for the ABS in the very near future.