The world-leading window

CEIBS, which has expanded to five campuses across three continents, has also been committed to helping Chinese enterprises go global since China became a net capital exporter in 2014.

"We have a natural connection with these companies," Ding says. "In most cases, their executives went through our EMBA programs maybe five or 10 years ago. So when they've entered the global market and encountered new challenges, their first reaction is to come back to the school for help."

Despite its successes, the institute is not about to rest on its laurels.

Dipak Jain, who became the European president of CEIBS last November, says that he would tap into his strong links with North America and Europe to build more alliances and make CEIBS more international.

Starting this year, each of CEIBS' Chinese EMBA sessions-the school's biggest program-will include an international module as part of the school's "global initiative", according to Jain, who was formerly the dean of two of the world's leading business schools, the Kellogg School of Management and INSEAD.

This initiative, explains Ding, is also driven by current trends such as the increase in Chinese overseas direct investment.

Jain says that his definition of an international institute is one that has three dimensions: international students, an international faculty and the ability to place graduates in international firms.

"CEIBS can become a platform where each train (of business) would like to have a stopover to learn about China. We are moving in this direction but we need to accelerate with the right programs and right partners," he explains.

Biehler echoes this point, describing the institute as a bridge between China and the rest of the world.

"CEIBS can help me better understand not just China, but also how this country is growing in a global environment," he says. "This global perspective with a China focus will allow me to go anywhere."