In the 1990s, only a few universities offered MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs. Going abroad was not a viable alternative for many students because the average family income then was relatively low.
Because of the strong demand for management expertise, having an MBA educational background at that time was seen as a passport to secure jobs and high incomes in large domestic enterprises and multinational companies.
As a result many domestic universities started to offer MBA programs either independently or in joint ventures with overseas institutions.
The first batch of 86 students at China’s MBA schools was officially launched in 1991 in nine institutions.
MBA schools were something of a novelty in the early days of economic reform as they were fundamentally different from the traditional professional education offered by Chinese universities and colleges.
MBA graduates’ annual income surged. The average income of graduates from the class of 2003 in China’s top 10 MBA schools grew between 64.3% and 116.2% in the three years to 2006.
By 2007, there were a total of 96 domestic MBA schools with a combined enrollment of over 20,000 students.
The attributes most valued by corporate recruiters are global vision, strategic thinking, strong executive power, as well as sound communications and coordination skills. It’s also a good thing for many Chinese MBA schools to improve their education quality, they are adjusting their courses to adapt to the real market and taking measures to enhance MBA students’ practical skills.
Source: English People’s Daily Online