On the afternoon of October 24, a day that marked the 40th anniversary of the restoration of management education at Tianjin University, Tianjin University College of Management and Economics held a forum. The topic was “New Era, New Business Education”. Deans from 29 business and management schools from around China were invited to the forum to discuss research on “New Business Education” in the new era and the future of business and management education.

In his speech, Tianjin University’s President, Zhong Denghua said that Tianjin University is willing to work with experts and scholars from all walks of life to discuss the emerging trend of management education and academic development around the world, exchange experiences of disciplinary construction and make greater contributions to the development of China's higher education.

Yang Liexun, Deputy Director of the Department of Management Science of National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), recognized Tianjin University’s achievements in the management disciplinary development. He pointed out that New Business Education plays an important role in management in this era, and institutions of higher learning are supposed to develop the management disciplines through an interdisciplinary approach.

Li Rongrong, Honorary Director of the College of Management and Economics at Tianjin University said in his speech that the College plays a leading role in the field of economic management education in China. Economic management education at Tianjin University adheres to reform and innovation and is committed to cultivating top business leaders featuring practical thinking, innovative spirit and devotion to society. He emphasized that good management brings about huge increases in productivity, yet at present, China’s market-oriented economy is facing many problems, which have to be solved by improving management efficiency.

In his keynote speech, Huo Baofeng, Director of the College delivered a speech on New Business Education. He said that since the reform and opening-up 40 years ago, business disciplines in institutions of higher learning nationwide have developed rapidly, yet there are still insufficiencies For example, people used to attach more importance to academic researches rather than practical applications, and they did not take into consideration the influence of technological innovation on the content and means of education. In response to these problems, Huo proposed that New Business Education should aim at the future demand of the world and cultivate talented people with high moral standards. The priorities should be the teaching, scientific research and service.

Robert Dixon, former Dean of Business School at Durham University, gave a speech, “Disruptions to Traditional Business Education”. Other delegates delivered speeches.

In the end, Huo concluded the discussions and proposed “New Business Education: A Tianjin University Initiative” with the view that New Business people are supposed to shoulder new responsibilities. Educators of business disciplines in the new era should bear in mind their responsibilities and create a positive education atmosphere, so as to contribute to the development of business education and society in China.