More than 300 academics, industry professionals and university representatives gathered at Sichuan International Studies University (SISU) on Oct. 31 for the 2026 National Conference on Master of International Business Education to explore new approaches to graduate education amid changes in global trade and industry demands.

The conference, organized by the National Steering Committee for Master of International Business and hosted by SISU, brought together participants from more than 150 universities, research institutions and businesses across China.

Qian Keming, former vice minister of commerce and chair of the national steering committee, said international business education must move beyond traditional professional skills to prepare students for emerging challenges in global commerce.

He called for greater emphasis on international trade rules and governance, digital trade, green trade and investment, and risk management and compliance. Qian also stressed the importance of partnerships between universities and businesses, encouraging graduate programs to incorporate real-world corporate projects into their curricula.

SISU professor Peng Cheng was among the keynote speakers, addressing emerging issues in international business and graduate education. His presentation covered the overseas expansion of industrial supply chains, university-industry collaboration under the Belt and Road Initiative, the use of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in talent development, and the development of digital trade systems. He also examined reforms to professional master’s programs in international business at foreign studies universities, offering perspectives on how universities could strengthen their curricula and better prepare graduates for changing industry needs.

Other keynote speakers included academics from leading universities and industry experts, who shared their perspectives on international business education and its evolving relationship with global trade and industry.

Other attendees included Ye Lina, deputy director of the Chongqing Municipal Commission of Commerce; Lan Qingxin, vice dean of the School of International Trade and Economics at the University of International Business and Economics; and Yang Guoxiang, secretary of SISU's Commission for Discipline Inspection.

Lan Qingxin, who also serves as secretary-general of the national steering committee, chaired the opening ceremony. He emphasized the importance of sharing educational practices and exploring new approaches to international business graduate education.

Two parallel sessions held in the afternoon focused on interdisciplinary education and university-industry partnerships. Participants examined how graduate programs could integrate knowledge across disciplines and better align their curricula with the evolving needs of international businesses.

Keynote Presentations by Experts