Former NZ, Ethiopian leaders address Wenzhou MBA/EMBA candidates

Summary

Wenzhou Business College and Renmin University of China co-hosted a meet-and-greet on the evening of 9 October for candidates of their 2026 MBA/EMBA programme, featuring former New Zealand prime minister Jenny Shipley and former Ethiopian president Mulatu Teshome as guest speakers. The two guests met face-to-face with entrepreneurs and executives from state-owned enterprises and financial institutions in Wenzhou and surrounding areas. Wang Wen, president of Wenzhou Business College and dean of Renmin University's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies and Global Leadership Academy, chaired the event and introduced the guests.

Shipley is New Zealand's first female prime minister and has remained deeply involved in NZ-China trade and economic exchanges since leaving office. Teshome studied at Peking University and served as Ethiopia's ambassador to several countries and in senior government posts, with extensive experience in international diplomacy and national governance. The event marks a key step in the high-level talent development programme jointly delivered by Wenzhou Business College and Renmin University.

Renmin University's 2027 Global EMBA programme will base its main teaching site in Wenzhou, using a part-time format. Admissions will strictly follow national postgraduate enrolment policy, with candidates required to sit the national management joint entrance exam and a university interview. Those who meet academic requirements will receive a Renmin University postgraduate graduation certificate and a master's degree certificate, allowing local Wenzhou entrepreneurs to pursue a Renmin EMBA close to home.

During the interactive session, participants raised questions on artificial intelligence, international trade and overseas expansion, focusing on international cooperation in the AI era, the outlook for NZ-China trade and Wenzhou firms' efforts to open overseas markets. The two guests shared insights drawn from global governance practice, analysing the world economic landscape and opportunities for cross-border cooperation in a lively exchange.

Commentary

Former New Zealand prime minister Jenny Shipley's participation in the EMBA meet-and-greet jointly held by Wenzhou Business College and Renmin University highlights how NZ-China education cooperation and trade ties are deepening. For NZ SMEs, such high-level engagement often comes with signals on policy communication and market access. Shipley's long-standing work on NZ-China trade could lend credibility to small and medium NZ brands seeking to enter China's second- and third-tier cities.

Wenzhou's private economy is vibrant, with light manufacturing, footwear and apparel, and electrical goods complementary to New Zealand's strengths in food, technology and professional services. Local entrepreneurs' growing interest in expanding into New Zealand and the wider South Pacific could generate concrete opportunities in cross-border e-commerce, brand agency and technology cooperation. On the other hand, the arrival of Renmin University's Global EMBA in Wenzhou reflects strong demand among Chinese local firms for internationalisation training.

New Zealand education providers could explore joint courses or industry modules, exporting expertise in agricultural technology and sustainable management. But such events are largely relationship-building exercises, and actual conversion depends on follow-up. NZ SMEs should focus on the pain points of Wenzhou firms going global, such as cold-chain logistics and compliance certification, and offer targeted solutions rather than relying solely on high-level meetings.

Keywords: Wenzhou Business College, Renmin University of China, MBA/EMBA, Jenny Shipley, Mulatu Teshome, NZ-China trade, Global EMBA, overseas expansion

Summary in Chinese | 摘要

10月9日晚，温州商学院与中国人民大学联合举办2026级MBA/EMBA班前政要见面会，新西兰前总理珍妮·希普利、埃塞俄比亚前总统穆拉图·特肖梅应邀到场，与温州及周边企业家、国企和金融机构管理者面对面交流。温州商学院校长、中国人民大学重阳金融研究院院长、全球领导力学院院长王文主持活动，并向学员介绍两位嘉宾履历。珍妮·希普利是新西兰首位女总理，卸任后持续深耕中新经贸交流；穆拉图·特肖梅曾求学北京大学，历任埃塞俄比亚驻多国大使及政府重要职务，在国际外交与国家治理领域拥有丰富经验。

此次活动是温州商学院联合中国人民大学落地高层次人才培养项目的重要举措。据悉，中国人民大学2027级Global EMBA项目将把主教学点设在温州，采用非全日制模式培养，项目严格按照国家研究生招生政策招生，考生须参加全国管理类联考与院校复试，学业达标后可获人大研究生毕业证书与硕士学位证书，温州本土企业家在家门口即可攻读人大EMBA。互动环节，学员围绕人工智能、国际经贸、企业出海等热点提问，聚焦AI时代国际合作、中新经贸前景、温州企业开拓海外市场等议题，两位嘉宾结合全球治理实践分享见解，剖析世界经济格局与跨国合作机遇，现场交流氛围热烈。

Commentary in Chinese | 评论

新西兰前总理希普利参与温州商学院与中国人民大学联合举办的EMBA见面会，凸显中新教育合作与经贸纽带向纵深延伸。对NZ SME而言，此类高层互动往往伴随政策沟通与市场准入信号，尤其希普利长期推动中新经贸，其参与或为新西兰中小品牌进入中国二三线城市提供背书。温州民营经济活跃，轻工、鞋服、电器等产业与新西兰在食品、科技、专业服务领域存在互补，本地企业家对出海新西兰及南太市场的兴趣升温，可能催生跨境电商、品牌代理、技术合作等具体商机。

另一方面，人大Global EMBA落地温州，反映中国地方企业国际化培训需求旺盛，新西兰教育机构可探索联合课程或行业模块，输出农业科技、可持续管理等专长。但需注意，此类活动多为关系构建，实际转化依赖后续跟进；NZ SME应关注温州企业出海痛点，如冷链物流、合规认证，提供针对性解决方案，而非仅依赖高层会面。

关键词: 温州商学院, 中国人民大学, MBA/EMBA, 珍妮·希普利, 穆拉图·特肖梅, 中新经贸, Global EMBA, 企业出海

Source: The Paper