The Future of Liberal Arts and Business Education

The University of Chicago Center in Beijing
20th floor, Culture Plaza
No. 59A Zhong Guan Cun Street
Haidian District Beijing 100872

The University of Chicago Center in Beijing hosted a thought-provoking discussion titled “The Future of Liberal Arts and Business Education” on October 28. The event featured a distinguished panel of scholars, including Professor John W. Boyer, the Martin A. Ryerson Distinguished Service Professor of History at UChicago, Professor Madhav V. Rajan, Dean of the UChicago Booth School of Business, and Professor Ying Zhang, Associate Dean and Professor of Marketing and Behavioral Science at the Guanghua School of Management, Peking University.

The evening began with registration and a book sale, offering Boyer’s book The University of Chicago: A History, which explores the university’s complex and sometimes controversial history. The fireside chat commenced at 6:00 p.m., focusing on UChicago’s distinctive academic culture and how liberal arts and business education can adapt to a rapidly changing world. Boyer drew from his extensive research on the university’s history, emphasizing the enduring role of liberal arts education in shaping critical thinking and strategic decision-making. Rajan shared his experience as the Dean of UChicago Booth School of Business and highlighted the importance of strengthening the school’s connections to the university, expanding its global outreach, and enhancing its academic programs. He spoke about the crucial role of interdisciplinary education and the efforts Booth has made to launch new master’s programs and joint degrees to meet the evolving demands of the business world. As the moderator, Professor Zhang shared his findings on market strategy and consumer psychology, while facilitating a dialogue about the differences between educational systems in the United States and China.

The event also included a Q&A session, which allowed the attendees to engage directly with the speakers, raising questions concerning the university and the future of education. The event concluded with a reception and book signing, providing opportunities for further communication among guests.

This event marked yet another step in UChicago’s quest for intellectual rigor, global outreach, and fostering meaningful exchanges across educational and cultural boundaries. As always, the support and coordination of UChicago Center in Beijing were vital to the event’s success.