Grooming Future Leaders to be “China-ready”, “China-savvy” and “Connected”
Future China Advanced Leaders Programme (FC-ALP) 2015 commenced on 23 March with a well-represented group of 24 participants hailing from a diverse array of industry sectors.
This year’s FC-ALP, which is into its fourth edition, is jointly organised by Business China and Nanyang Business School. The first segment of the programme saw participants being given a comprehensive introduction to China’s past, present and future: attending a series of specially curated classes taught by esteemed academia and opinion leaders with specific insider perspectives. The wide scope of topics covered included China’s history, philosophy, arts and culture, international relations and urbanization challenges, with participants learning how these interdisciplinary factors interplay in the Chinese business culture.
Gracing the Welcome Dinner on the first day of the Programme as Guest-of-Honour was Mrs Josephine Teo, Business China Board Director and Senior Minister of State for Finance & Transport. In her address to more than 50 participants and guests comprised of Business China Chairman and Board Directors, local business leaders and top academia, SMS Teo shared personal vignettes of Singapore’s Founding Prime Minister and Founding Patron of Business China, Mr Lee Kuan Yew and his strong belief in bilingualism and biculturalism. More than a decade ago, Mr Lee foresaw that with increased internationalisation and the passage of time, the average Chinese Singaporean would no longer be able to sustain the special rapport their parents and grandparents enjoyed with China; and the previously strong connections via kinship were at risk of being diluted and lost. Mr Lee foresaw the need to nurture a group of Singaporeans who are not only bilingual but bicultural, in order to better engage with China and the world. With an extraordinary vision, he launched Business China in 2007.
SMS Teo remarked that the FC-ALP programme was designed with Mr Lee’s vision in mind, to provide its participants with a holistic understanding of China, thus giving them an edge when conducting business in that unique environment. She urged the audience to continue to strengthen the practice of bilingualism and biculturalism in honour of Mr Lee’s memory and to build on his legacy.
Chairman of Business China, Mr Chua Thian Poh remarked on the timeliness of the Programme in his opening address, “China had just concluded the annual “two meetings”. We can see that the Chinese society at all levels, is reforming and advancing progressively while maintaining social stability and economic growth. This programme is indeed timely in providing in-depth knowledge of China, as well as opening up in-roads through the sharing of the useful practical up-to-date insider’s information.”
In his welcome address, Nanyang Technological University’s Vice President (International Affairs), Professor Er Meng Hwa reiterated the relevance of FC-ALP. “To navigate successfully in the vast and dynamic China market, we need to constantly refresh our knowledge. Sometimes, that means we need to unlearn what we presumed to have known well and taken for granted, then relearn with a deeper and wider appreciation of the latest developments. Because the business environment in China is a fast evolving one, we refine the programme content each year to keep pace with its evolution.”
The second leg of FC-ALP will be held from 19-25 April where participants would embark on a week-long experiential learning journey to the central China cities of Wuhan and Changsha. This segment is led by Business China Board Director and Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Trade & Industry and Ministry of National Development Mr Lee Yi Shyan; and will focus on uncovering economic development opportunities in these second tier cities. Participants will further explore their unique geo-cultural and business landscape, and at the same time, experience the pulse of Central China’s two provinces, Hunan and Hubei.
First launched in 2012, FC-ALP is the only executive management course in Asia to comprehensively address the complex dynamics between social, political, economic and cultural factors that are fuelling China’s rapid rise. It aims to benefit top management, high-potential executives and business owners by equipping them with an in-depth understanding of the Chinese enterprise psyche, business landscape and economic paradigm.