From April 6 to 12, a delegation from School of Economics and Management (SEM) at Dalian University of Technology (DUT), led by Dean Ye Xin, conducted a week-long visit to Austria and Germany. Accompanied by Assistant Dean Xu Zhaoguang and International Cooperation and Accreditation Office Director Ai Jingyuan, the delegation achieved significant progress in deepening partnerships with international accreditation organization and top-tier German universities, infusing new vitality into the School’s global development.

Vienna: Shaping the Future of Global Business Education

The delegation, joined by Song Dan, DUT’s Executive Vice President and Meng Linxi, Deputy Director of DUT International Office, attended the AACSB 2025 International Conference and Annual Meeting (ICAM 2025) in Vienna. As the most prestigious annual event organized by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business(AACSB), the conference gathered nearly 1,200 business educators from over 60 countries and regions.

During the conference, Song Dan met with Lily Bi, President and CEO of AACSB International and Geoff Perry, Executive Vice President, Global Chief Membership Officer & Managing Director Asia Pacific at AACSB International. He introduced DUT history, highlighted SEM’s internationalization achievements and development vision, discussing collaborative plans such as global case promotion and sharing, alignment with international business education standards, and partnerships with top global business schools and corporations. AACSB expressed strong recognition of SEM’s accomplishments and pledged to facilitate connections with leading international institutions. The organization also invited SEM to share insights on China management case studies in the subsequent sessions, contributing Chinese wisdom to global business education.

During the conference, SEM delegation not only gained in-depth insights into global business school development trends but also engaged in extensive exchanges with international and domestic counterparts on relevant topics.

Germany: Advancing Multifaceted Partnerships with Elite Universities

After Vienna, the delegation visited RWTH Aachen University, University of Cologne, and Technical University of Munich in Germany, marking a transition from initial partnerships established in 2024 to substantive collaboration.

RWTH Aachen University

Under the witness of Song Dan and Bernd Markert, RWTH President authorized representative and Chairman proRWTH, Dean Ye Xin and Managing Director of RWTH International Academy Helmut Dinger signed a 4+1.5 Bachelor-Master Joint Education Program Agreement.

The delegation also met with SEM doctoral student of the DUT-RWTH Aachen University Joint Training Program, offering support and care, and gathering feedback on her academic and life experiences in Germany.

University of Cologne

Dean Ye Xin and Professor Ulrich Thonemann, Dean of the Faculty of Management, Economics and Social Sciences, signed a Faculty-Student Exchange Agreement. As the only member from a German elite university on SEM International Advisory Board(IAB), restructured in 2024, Prof. Thonemann has actively driven collaboration between the two universities. The signing of the agreement has deepened our pragmatic cooperation in faculty and student exchanges, and marks the first tangible outcome of IAB’s restructuring.

Technical University of Munich

The delegation discussed joint doctoral and postdoctoral training programs, as well as collaborative research, with Stefan Minner, Acting Vice Dean of TUM School of Management. Building upon the solid foundation of in-depth collaboration between both parties in the field of data-driven supply chain quality management, the recent talks laid out a new collaborative framework aimed at cultivating high-level innovative talents with international competitiveness.

Talent Recruitment: Building a Global Talent Pool

In Munich, the delegation hosted a Talent Policy Promotion Session, attracting over 30 outstanding overseas students and scholars. Dean Ye Xin and Assistant Dean Xu Zhaoguang detailed SEM’s academic strengths, faculty development strategies, and recruitment policies, engaged with potential candidates, fully demonstrating SEM’s commitment to attracting global talents.

The delegation also connected with alumni, encouraging them to leverage overseas resources to support the School’s growth.

Aligning with DUT’s vision to "forge new advantages", SEM expands its international network through this Europe visit. By deepening ties with accreditation organization and elite universities, SEM has laid a robust foundation for cultivating world-class economic and management talents.