Sources: CEIBS, BCC Global Media Interview (Apr 2025)
China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) has once again reaffirmed its position as one of the world’s premier institutions for executive education. According to the 2025 Financial Times Executive MBA Ranking, the school’s Global Executive MBA (GEMBA) program was ranked #2 worldwide, marking an extraordinary six-year streak within the global top two and its fourth consecutive year as the world’s highest-ranked stand-alone Executive MBA.
This milestone coincides with CEIBS celebrating its 30th anniversary, a fitting moment for reflection on how the Shanghai-based institution has grown from a regional management school into a global benchmark for executive learning.
A Consistent Global Performer
The 2025 Financial Times report highlighted CEIBS’ advancement across several key indicators:
- Salary Increase: up from #7 to #3 globally
- Alumni Network Strength: #8
- Work Experience: #5
- Overall Satisfaction: from #21 to #2
These results underscore CEIBS’ ability to deliver sustained value to senior executives from over 40 nationalities who enroll in its cross-continental program spanning Shanghai, Zurich, and Accra.
The school’s continued success reflects not only academic rigor but also its adaptability to the evolving global business landscape.
“China Depth, Global Breadth”
In an April 2025 interview with BCC Global Media, Dr. Bala Ramasamy, Vice Dean of the GEMBA and Professor of Economics, described how CEIBS’ growth has paralleled China’s own rise on the world stage.
“Much of our success stems from China’s rise. As China grew, so did CEIBS,” Dr. Ramasamy said. “When we began 30 years ago, CEIBS was primarily a knowledge dissemination hub — Western professors brought in management frameworks for Chinese executives. Today, CEIBS is not only a bridge to global knowledge but also a generator of original insights from China. We don’t discard Western knowledge; we integrate it with Chinese experience. That dual lens — China Depth, Global Breadth — defines our DNA.”
This hybrid perspective has made CEIBS a unique voice in global management education, shaping leaders who understand both the complexity of emerging markets and the structure of advanced economies.
The Global Classroom
CEIBS GEMBA delivers its modules across five continents, allowing participants to experience diverse business ecosystems firsthand — from the manufacturing hubs of Asia to the financial centers of Europe and Africa’s emerging markets.
The school’s international faculty, drawn from over 20 nationalities, brings a balance of academic insight and practical experience, while its alumni network connects senior executives, entrepreneurs, and policymakers worldwide.
“Our participants are not just studying leadership; they’re living it across different cultures and economic systems,” Dr. Ramasamy noted. “That’s what makes the CEIBS experience distinct.”
A Reflection of Asia’s Rising Influence
As CEIBS enters its fourth decade, its consistent presence among the top-ranked programs globally stands as a testament to the school’s academic strength, its expanding international network, and its growing relevance in a world where Asia’s role in shaping global business continues to deepen.
The school’s performance in the Financial Times ranking is not simply an institutional success — it mirrors the broader story of Asia’s ascent in global education and leadership development. CEIBS, born in Shanghai but operating across continents, exemplifies how the region’s business schools are redefining the global learning landscape.
“Our mission has always been to develop responsible leaders with both local insight and international perspective,” said Dr. Ramasamy. “In an era of uncertainty, consistency and quality are the true measures of excellence — and CEIBS continues to deliver both.”