China’s Changing Academia: From Campus Life to the Post-COVID Reality

Professor Dr Hans-Jörg Weber is Full Professor of Strategic Management and Business Ethics at the Hunan University of Technology in Zhuzhou. Before taking up this position, he gained valuable experience as an Assistant Professor at the Shanghai International Studies University (SISU). Since 2019, he has been living and teaching in China – a period that encompasses the country’s profound transformation during and after the pandemic.

As a scholar familiar with both the German (including partnerships with the Steinbeis University Berlin) and the Chinese academic landscape, Prof. Weber’s research focuses on the transformation of educational systems and digital adaptability. His work offers a unique insight into China’s contemporary institutions and societal developments.

In this talk, Prof. Weber traces China’s educational journey – from historical influences to the ambitious reform plans set for 2025, which aim to strengthen practice orientation and innovation. Going beyond theory, he explores how the pulse of post-COVID society is reflected in lecture halls, research projects and the everyday lives of people.

How do the state and tech giants such as Alibaba navigate the path towards a digital future – seemingly in harmony – and what impact does this have on academia and society? How has the pandemic reshaped self-perception, ambition and the use of technology within Chinese society? Using concrete examples, including the massive AI investments in Shanghai, Prof. Weber offers a well-grounded, insider’s perspective on the intersection of tradition, technology and education.

This Lunch Talk is designed as an interactive discussion format. You are warmly invited to share your perspectives and join us for an engaging exchange on this timely and thought-provoking topic.
We look forward to seeing you there!

Participation via Cisco WebexExternal link

Meeting number/ access code: 2780 915 9556
password: dSQ7EMfMJ36