Management education today stands at a crossroads. Technological disruption, shifting global dynamics, and rising societal expectations are forcing business schools everywhere to rethink not just what they teach, but why they exist.

It is precisely at moments like these that the global community needs spaces for honest, open dialogue—and for nearly two decades, the International Business School Shanghai Conference (IBSSC) has been one of those spaces.

Hosted biennially by Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Antai College of Economics and Management (ACEM), the IBSSC was born in March 2006 to mark SJTU’s 110th anniversary. That first gathering, held under the theme “Cross-Cultural Leadership: Integration Between East and West,” brought together around 110 deans from business schools worldwide, along with executives from international accreditation organisations, including EFMD.

Even at its inception, the conference was designed as a bridge between Eastern and Western management thought, and EFMD’s presence from the very beginning signalled a shared commitment to advancing global standards in management education.

Since that inaugural event, the IBSSC has grown into the largest dean-level conference for business schools in the Asia-Pacific region. The 10th edition, held in October 2024 under the theme “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Business,” gathered more than 200 academic leaders from over 30 countries. Through plenaries and roundtables, participants explored how AI is reshaping pedagogy, challenging ethical frameworks, and redefining the business school itself.

That spirit of exchange is deeply rooted in a long-standing partnership. ACEM became a member of EFMD in 2007, and this relationship has underpinned the conference’s evolution since its earliest days. The school’s pursuit of EQUIS accreditation—first achieved in 2008 and most recently renewed for a fifth consecutive five-year term in 2024—has continuously strengthened its governance, programmes, and international outlook, creating the institutional foundation upon which the IBSSC thrives.

As we look toward October 21–23, 2026, the 11th IBSSC will carry this legacy forward with the theme “The Changing Role of Business Education.” Timed to coincide with SJTU’s 130th anniversary, the conference will once again gather the global community to address technological disruption, economic shifts, and the evolving social contract between business schools and society. Through roundtables on reimagining business schools in a fragmented world and fostering international collaboration in challenging times, the event will continue its tradition of turning shared challenges into collective learning.

Be a part of it

We warmly welcome all management educators to join us in Shanghai this 21-23 October 2026, as together we carry forward this enduring dialogue between East and West and shape the next chapter of management education worldwide.

For more information on the 11th International Business School Shanghai Conference, visit the IBSSC event site or register now to secure your spot.

For additional insights, announcements and perspectives, visit the conversation on Business Education.