Shanghai, PRC -- Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) today announced the formation of an innovative, dual-degree graduate program combining engineering and management. Modeled after a similar program at MIT that has been in existence for 18 years, this new program is focused on developing China's next generation of industrial leaders.
Created with MIT's authorization and educational support, the China Leaders for Manufacturing Program (China LFM) has nine corporate founding partners. A memorandum of understanding will be signed by officials of both SJTU and MIT at a ceremony today at the JW Marriott Hotel at Tomorrow Square in Shanghai that will be attended by representatives from both universities and by representatives from China LFM's industry partners.
"China LFM's curriculum will focus on developing a special type of leader for China -- one who can apply both managerial and engineering expertise to global manufacturing and operations for sustained profitability and success," said Professor Lu Wei, associate dean of SJTU's Antai College of Economics and Management. "It will also educate the China LFM partner companies on how to strategically build and retain a team of operations leadership talent."
The SJTU program will matriculate approximately 50 fellows per class, with the first fellows matriculating in September 2007. Each graduate will receive an M.S. in engineering from SJTU's School of Mechanical Engineering or School of Electronic, Information and Electrical Engineering and an M.B.A. from SJTU's Antai College of Economics and Management.
"Since its founding in 1988, the MIT Leaders for Manufacturing (MIT LFM) Program has graduated more than 700 students, many of whom have reached senior positions in their companies," said David Simchi-Levi, professor of civil and environmental engineering and engineering systems and a co-director of MIT LFM. "In fact, the China LFM program was initiated at the behest of several U.S.-based multinational firms who have supported the MIT LFM program since its inception and who believe the China LFM program will help them to be increasingly competitive in the global marketplace. "
"Although MIT will not directly teach students in China, we want to bring our 18 years of experience to bear on this new program at SJTU, in order to help them develop leaders for U.S.-based companies and multinational companies based elsewhere who are solidly grounded in the technical and managerial aspects of global operations," said Simchi-Levi.
MIT sees substantial benefits for its students and faculty also. According to Thomas Allen, professor of management and engineering systems at MIT and a faculty co-director of the MIT LFM program, "MIT LFM faculty from the Schools of Engineering and Management will gain vital understanding of what is involved in conducting business in China and China's impact on the rest of the world. All our faculty will, in turn, use this information to make the world-class MIT LFM program and our other programs in engineering and management even stronger."
A key component of China LFM is industry partnership. China LFM's nine founding partners are Dell, Inc.; Honeywell Corp.; Intel Corp.; United Technologies Corp.; Caterpillar, Inc.; China Longgong; Flextronics; Novartis; and GITI Tire; who will work with SJTU to develop, operate and grow the program.
The new program will benefit participating companies by helping them recruit global operations leaders who have technical depth and managerial breadth and understand how to address critical issues in globalization, such as supply chain management. China LFM partner companies will receive priority recruiting for these highly skilled and sought-after graduates.
"China is one of the most dynamic economies in the world, offering growth opportunities for our customers and Honeywell," said Bill Ramsey, Honeywell's corporate vice president of operations and Six Sigma. "Our close relationship with SJTU's new program will give us an unparalleled ability to develop and recruit the future manufacturing and operations leaders in the region. A vibrant leadership in China with an international perspective will be beneficial to Honeywell's U.S. and global operations."��
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"As Dell's supply chain and factories have grown globally, we have identified a critical need to develop senior leaders in Asia," said Richard L. Hunter, vice president of Dell's customer experience team. "China LFM will help develop the best and brightest talent in this field." ��
"We also expect to form a strong partnership with SJTU and with other partner companies to generate a world-class, advanced program for future manufacturing leaders," Hunter said. "Through this personal network of industry and academics, we expect to provide a forum for rich discussion and insights on how to improve manufacturing operations in Asia. MIT and SJTU should be commended for this most innovative and progressive initiative to develop world-class talent in the field of manufacturing."
About China Leaders for Manufacturing Program: Modeled after MIT's renowned Leaders for Manufacturing Program and created with MIT's authorization and educational support, China LFM is the country's first-ever dual degree graduate program focused on educating China's next generation of manufacturing and operations leaders. A partnership of SJTU and industry, CLFM offers a 24-month, dual master's degree program that combines the disciplines of engineering and management. Students will also work an additional six months at a partner company site during the required internship experience. Each graduate will receive an M.S. in engineering from SJTU's School of Mechanical Engineering or School of Electronic, Information and Electrical Engineering and an M.B.A. from SJTU's Antai College of Economics and Management.
About MIT's Leaders for Manufacturing Program: Created in 1988 in response to the need for U.S. companies to become more competitive, LFM is a collaboration among the MIT Sloan School of Management, MIT's School of Engineering and industry partners. LFM students, graduates and partners research and implement principles of manufacturing excellence to drive global socio-economic prosperity. The LFM program offers future leaders the opportunity to earn, in only two years, an M.B.A. or master of science in management as well as a master of science in one of eight participating engineering programs.��LFM's corporate partners provide generous fellowships for all students.��To learn more, visit http://lfm.mit.edu.
