On May 31, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the BI Norwegian Business School-Fudan University MBA Program - a flagship Sino-foreign educational partnership - H.E. Ms. Lubna Jaffery, Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality, led a delegation to Fudan University School of Management.

Guests gathering for a group photo at the Zhengli Campus of Fudan University School of Management

Touring the BI-Fudan MBA Program 30th Anniversary Exhibition

Zhimin Chen, Vice President of Fudan University, Li'an Lu, Director of the Office of Global Partnerships and Xiongwen Lu, Dean of School of Management welcomed the delegation. Tianjun Feng, Assistant Dean of the School of Management moderated the event.

In his welcome address, Zhimin Chen, Vice President of Fudan University highlighted the deep-rooted partnership between Fudan University and Norwegian higher education institutions. He noted that over three decades, the BI-Fudan MBA Program — a pioneering Sino-Norwegian educational initiative — has cultivated future business leaders with global vision and cross-cultural competence, establishing itself as a model of higher education partnership between the two countries. As one of China's leading universities, Fudan is committed to advancing global issues such as sustainable development and technology for good, and deeply values international collaboration. Zhimin Chen expressed the hope that Minister Jaffery's visit would further strengthen cooperation between Fudan and Norwegian universities in academic research, talent development, and cultural exchange.

Zhimin Chen,  Vice President of Fudan University, delivering the welcome address

Minister Lubna Jaffery delivered a keynote address drawing on Norway's development experience. She highlighted how Norway has continuously unlocked human potential and achieved broader social participation and higher-quality growth by investing in education, implementing family-friendly and childcare-support policies, and promoting women's participation in leadership and entrepreneurship. She emphasized that diverse perspectives, arising from varied backgrounds and experiences, are a critical driver of better decision-making and innovation. In a rapidly changing world, she urged future leaders to sharpen their cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills, build open and trusting organizational cultures, and unlock creative potential to drive sustainable social and economic development.

H.E. Ms. Lubna Jaffery, Norwegian Minister of Culture and Equality, delivering a keynote speech

The Q&A session, moderated by Addy Zhu, BI-Fudan MBA alumna, saw Minister Jaffery engage with faculty, students, and alumni on topics including leadership, international cooperation, and artificial intelligence.

Weiya Zhu, BI-Fudan MBA Program alumna, moderating the Q&A session

On the leadership competencies needed in an era of rising global uncertainty, Minister Jaffery stated that diversity is critical to enhancing organizational competitiveness and decision quality. Leaders, she argued, should not only work with those who share similar views and backgrounds, but actively seek out different voices and embrace diverse perspectives — navigating complex challenges by understanding differences and strengthening collaboration.

On the impact of AI on the future of work and equality, she noted that while AI offers tremendous opportunities to improve efficiency and optimize resource allocation, it may also amplify existing biases. She stressed that AI development requires not only technological innovation but also value guidance and institutional safeguards — to ensure that technology truly serves human development and contributes to a more equitable and sustainable future.

On Sino-Norwegian cultural and educational exchange, Minister Jaffery affirmed that Norway and China share long-standing diplomatic relations and a deep foundation of people-to-people ties. She expressed hope for further deepening cooperation between the two countries in culture, education, business, and beyond, creating more opportunities for mutual learning between institutions and communities.

Minister Jaffery answering questions from students and alumni

Also present at the event were Wenqing Tang, Deputy Director of Fudan University Office of Global Partnerships; Lijin Qiu, Director of the BI-Fudan MBA Program; Antoaneta A. Hansteen, Senior Adviser to the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality; Cecilia Lyche, Department Director of the Norwegian Ministry of Culture and Equality; Tobias Svenningsen, Consul General of the Norwegian Consulate General in Shanghai; Tom Jørgen Martinussen, Deputy Consul General of the Norwegian Consulate General in Shanghai; Lisa Marie Hillestad, Second Secretary at the Norwegian Embassy in Beijing; as well as current students and alumni representatives of the BI-Fudan MBA Program.

Minister Jaffery and Vice President Zhimin Chen exchanging gifts.