Newly appointed AMBA board member Professor Qiang Ye shares his perspectives on management education in the AI era with Ambition editor Colette Doyle In conversation with… Professor Qiang Ye
Please tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to be in your current role “I have long been engaged in research on the digital economy and financial technology with an academic focus on ecommerce and Management Information Systems (MIS). My career in this field spans nearly two decades: from 2014 to 2022, I served as dean of the School of Economics and Management at Harbin Institute of Technology, where I gained profound insights into the transformation of management education amid technological disruption. “In January 2023, I joined the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC) and took on deanships at the Faculty of Business for Science and Technology, the School of Management and the International Institute of Finance. This transition was driven by USTC’s positioning as a world-class research university renowned for scientific and technological breakthroughs, as well as its commitment to building a pioneering Faculty of Business for Science and Technology. Such an initiative aligns perfectly with my long-term focus on bridging technology, management and industrial innovation.” How has management education evolved since you started working in the sector? “When I began my business school teaching career around 2003, MIS was still a niche area in management education and barely integrated with core MBA curricula. Since then, management education in China and globally has undergone a profound, structural transformation. This evolution can be summarised in four key dimensions. • Deepened integration with technology: As enterprises worldwide undergo digital transformation, management education has shifted from a pure focus on traditional business theories to a technology-centric model. MBA and EMBA programmes now prioritise cutting-edge content on digital upgrading, AI application and tech-driven innovation. • Enhanced internationalisation: Chinese management education has gradually integrated into the global academic system, with more universities pursuing international accreditations such as AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. This not only promotes the standardisation of education quality, but also
facilitates frequent academic exchanges, Sino-foreign joint education and collaborative research. • Stronger industry engagement: We have moved beyond classroom teaching to become more practice-oriented. We now invite business leaders to promote industry-university collaboration, ensuring that teaching and research are closely aligned with real corporate scenarios and industrial trends. • Refined academic orientation: With the influence of global rankings such as UTD (University of Texas at Dallas) and QS, business schools have placed greater emphasis on high quality research output and international academic publications. This focus not only enhances the credibility of management education, but also drives the innovation of theories and practices that respond to global challenges.” Hefei has garnered international attention as a global hub for next-gen technology, quantum computing and new energy. How does being located in such a dynamic, tech-heavy ecosystem influence the curriculum and the practical opportunities you provide for MBA cohorts? “Hefei’s status provides an unparalleled ecosystem for our MBA programme, shaping both our curriculum design and practical learning opportunities in three distinctive ways. • Geographical and technological advantages: Leveraging our strengths in science, technology and innovation, we have integrated frontier technological business content into our curriculum. We invite experts from high-tech enterprises and research institutions to deliver courses on technology applications, industry trends and AI-driven business innovation. Additionally, we have launched programmes such as the Tech-Entrepreneurship EMBA and Tech Investor Executive Education to meet the needs of the local tech ecosystem. • Deep integration with frontier industries: MBA students have access to hands-on learning experiences in Hefei’s core tech sectors. We host the STIM2 Forum, where professors and industry leaders share insights into technological frontiers and business opportunities; organise field visits to leading enterprises; and support students in conducting entrepreneurial practice in different technology‑related fields.
12 Ambition • ISSUE 3 • 2026
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