Domestic MBAs on the rise

In the 1990s, only a few universities offered MBA (Master of Business Administration) programs. Going abroad was not a viable alternative for many students because the average family income then was relatively low.

Because of the strong demand for management expertise, having an MBA educational background at that time was seen as a passport to secure jobs and high incomes in large domestic enterprises and multinational companies.

This has spurred many domestic universities to offer MBA programs either independently or in joint ventures with overseas institutions. The first batch of China's MBA schools was officially launched in 1991 in nine institutions, including Peking University, Renmin University of China and Fudan University. A total of 86 students were enrolled, most of them university graduates majoring in economics and business.