Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) students at AUS visited companies in Shanghai and Suzhou in China April 16-24. The EMBA students were introduced to various management styles through meetings conducted with Microsoft, Dow Chemical, Dupont, Samsung, Bailian (a large state-owned conglomerate), CNOOC (a state-owned energy company), Minsheng Bank (the first private bank in China that has successfully competed with the four big state-owned banks) and Greenleaf (a cosmetics manufacturer). During these meetings they were able to make connections with Chinese executives who are the current and future leaders of business in China.

"It was an amazing program well beyond our expectations," said EMBA student Sanjoy Noronha. "China is currently the number two economy in the world and we saw ample evidence that is poised to become number one in the next 20-30 years. Progress is evident in every aspect of life from the energy and efficiency of the people to the impressive infrastructure of roads and bridges."

The AUS Executive MBA program is designed for working professionals who are high-potential leaders preparing to expand their company's position in world markets. The curriculum integrates management theory with professional skill building in a format that encourages immediate application to the challenges of executive leadership and organizational governance in an international context. In addition to coursework at AUS, two travel seminars introduce participants to world markets in a structured setting.

In addition to meeting with business leaders, the EMBA students visited Zhouzhuang, an ancient water township (from 770BC-476BC) close to Suzhou and sometimes referred to as the Venice of the East. In Suzhou, they visited a silk factory and also enjoyed listening to a jazz band consisting of senior citizens who regularly perform at the historic Peace Hotel in Shanghai. They also visited the renowned Shanghai Museum of Art.

The trip was organized by Ahmad Hussein El-Assadi, Instructor in Management and Senior Program Officer of the EMBA program at the AUS School of Business Administration.