After countless phone calls, paperwork, and back and forth, I got my visa 4 hours before my flight and found myself on a plane bound for the vibrant city of Shanghai to teach the Leadership Development course for our BI-Fudan MBA Program in person this time, after teaching it virtually from BI Norwegian Business School Oslo campus last year!

      As an educator, every teaching experience for me is a learning experience. So imagine if that is halfway across the globe and with some of the brightest future leaders! Teaching this course in this vibrant metropolis was an experience that has left an indelible mark on my professional and personal growth. The opportunity to engage with brilliant minds from diverse backgrounds was truly humbling and witnessing the thirst for knowledge and the determination to grasp the intricacies of global business strategies from these ambitious minds was beyond inspiring. The classroom became a melting pot of ideas, where East met West，bringing the best of both worlds. Together, we navigated through case studies, debated real-world challenges, and co-created solutions that resonated across continents. Each session was a vivid reminder that education transcends borders and has the power to unite us all.

      Beyond the classroom, the city itself blew me away! From the iconic skyline of Pudong to the tranquil beauty of the little streets that reminded me of my city Beirut, every corner of Shanghai was simply gorgeous! Engaging with local customs, savoring authentic cuisine and engaging in meaningful conversations with students and colleagues enriched my understanding of the global business landscape. The bonds formed and the insights gained during this trip are invaluable treasures that I will carry forward in all my future endeavors.

      As I bid farewell to Shanghai and the incredible individuals who made this journey unforgettable, I am reminded that true education extends beyond text books. lt is the connections we foster, the perspectives we share, and the willingness to embrace the unknown that propels us forward.

 

      对于久违的面对面课堂，我非常仔细的做了课前准备，包括当下在战略领域已经或正在发生的新进展，也用心挑选了一些有趣且适时讨论的案例。

对于当下的教育而言，AI可以在多个方面起到辅助的作用，并且能够替代掉我们如今在做的一些枯燥的事情。然而，我认为作为领导者和专家，我们需要深刻理解商业和战略行为。这些是你无法从AI直接获取的，而是需要沉浸到学科、教师和学生的互动当中去找寻。我们需要跨越行业、跨越国界去进行合作。因而我认为国际MBA项目当中或许可以引发这些相关的讨论。

 

 

      I usually read a lot from international journals on what is happening in China on issues like innovation, digitalization and sustainability before I teach this course. This time, I especially wanted an update on issues related to Sustainability and Digitalization, so I search for interesting business people that also could illuminate this topics from their the business side so that we could have interesting discussions on the dilemmas around this in the classroom.  

      I think it is great that the students bring with them different experiences and expertise from a broad set of international contexts as well as functions in their companies. In this way the programme ties people together across the world, creating international network where learning happens.

      I think future education will be more flexible to adapt to students needs (also based on the positive experiences during COVID), meaning a combination of offline and online courses and maybe also shorter and more flexible programmes. Further, curricula is always changing with the most important business trends, following closely research in the different areas. I think sustainability and digitalisations will be ‘internalised’ in all courses and business themes and functions. This we already experience. However, newer macro-economic trends will affect how and where business is done. Learning to be innovative and agile will still be the essence of any theme or course, as we must strive to be ready to handle new topics and challenges we still have not met. That I think is the core of education.