Updated: 2017-03-21

On the morning of March 17, 2017, Professor Diederich Bakker, Director of the International Exchange Office of the International Business School of Hanze Hogeschool Groningen University of Applied Sciences (Hanze UAS), and Ms. Li Xinyang, a staff member, visited the Business School of BTBU. Vice Chancellor Xie Zhihua, BTBU Secretary of the Party Committee Mao Xinshu, Associate Dean Yang Haoxiong, International Exchange Office Ma Xuejiao, International Exchange and Certification Center Executive Director Liu Ting, and Kuai Pengzhou participated in the talks.

Professor Bakker introduced the Global SME Research Alliance. He pointed out that SMEs make the largest contribution to GDP in most economies. The vast majority of the International Business School Network Platform (NIBS), which has more than 110 business schools globally, has been focusing on “SME internationalization” research. The Global SME Research Alliance will become a communication platform for the International Business School Network members. At present, the alliance members in the Asian region include Beijing Technology and Business University, Kinki University, Hanyang University, and Solbridge (South Korea). Among them, Beijing Technology and Business University is the top university of the alliance in the Asian region. The members of the European region include Hanze, Haaga Helia, Hochschule Würzburg-Schweinfurt, and Kluij (Romania).Among them, Hanze is the top university of the alliance in the European region. The alliance develops members of universities in Britain, Southern Europe, Africa, and North America. It will identify all eligible member universities in the above regions in April 2017.

Vice Chancellor Xie Zhihua and Professor Bakker jointly decided that the first Global SME Research Alliance Conference would be held in Beijing in October 2017. The organizer would be Beijing Technology and Business University.

The two parties had an in-depth discussion on issues such as determining the agenda of the first Global SME Alliance Conference and establishing a strategic partnership between Beijing Technology and Business University and Hanze UAS, making important progress.