In October 21, 2017, the second BNU-AU Capital Business Forum was successfully held in Washington University, Washington D. C., USA. This forum was organized by American University Kogod Business School. Experts and scholars from the US and China conducted wide and in-depth discussions on Sino-US relations, economic and trade development, Washington D.C., Xiong’an New Area, Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei Region, cultural industry, multinational corporations, etc.

In the morning, the opening ceremony is held in Butler Board Room at American University. Prof. John Delaney, Dean of Kogod Business School AU delivered the first speech. He affirmed the significance of this forum and the previous one held in Beijing, and welcomed us coming from BNU. Then, he stated the advantages and unique resources of AU being located in Washington D.C.. He also looked forward to heat discussions with everyone around capital’s economic development and business opportunities. Mr. Lai Desheng, Dean of BNUBS pointed out in his speech that BNUBS deem Kogod Business School as an important partner, and the First BNU-AU Capital Business Forum in Beijing was a success which marked cooperation achievements between our two schools. He mentioned that both the 19^th NPC, the General planning of Beijing and Xiong’an New Area are perfect materials provided for everyone to discuss in this forum. He wished the forum a great success. The opening ceremony was hosted by Robert Sweeney, Assistant Dean of the Kogod Business School and Director of Strategic Partnerships Department.

Next, Jonathon Aberman, professor from University of Maryland Smith School, American scholar in the field of innovation and entrepreneurship and famous venture capitalist, delivered a keynote speech. He focused on the characteristics of entrepreneurship development in Washington D.C., and evaluated government policies and long-term development plannings on enterprises. After that, Jason Miller, president of the American Board of Business Cooperation in the Greater Washington D.C. Area, pointed out in the keynote speech the particular economic importance of capital city Washington D.C. and the mutual influence of local education industry and employment.

 

Finally, Prof. Lai Desheng, Dean of BNUBS, emphasized at the closing speech that this forum was a very successful one. A number of hot topics were addressed in the wonderful speeches and in-depth discussions. The results of this forum can definitely serve academic research and the development of social economy. Prof. Lai once again thanked American University Kogod Business School for their hard work, and expressed his wish to see more and better cooperation in the future. Subsequently, Professor Erran Kogod, Former Dean of Kogod Business School expressed thanks to all experts, teachers and students for their wonderful speeches and excellent discussions. He recognizes that capital cities contain huge business opportunities and values in academic research. His sincerely hopes that more people will pay attentions to the development of capital cities.

Before the forum began, John Delaney, Dean of the Kogod School of business at UA, met with President Lai Desheng in the Kogod conference room. Former dean of Kogod business school, Professor Erran Carmel, senior vice president Ajay Adhikari, Dean Assistant and director of strategic partnership, Professor Robert Sweeney, and Prof. Yijiang Zhao from the department of Accounting accompanied the interview. Dean Delaney warmly welcomed President Lai Desheng and his delegations. He introduced the advantages, development strategy and recent situations of Kogod business school. Dean Prof. Lai Desheng congratulated Prof. Delaney on being the dean of Kogod business school. He introduced the “double first-class” construction and the latest development of BNUBS. Both two schools affirmed the achievements in international exchanges and cooperation, In order to consolidate the firm basis of cooperation and maintain the momentum of development, Dean Lai Desheng proposed to further strengthen exchanges and cooperation. The BNU-AU Capital Business Forum will be upgraded to a “2+X” mode and be recommend to other partner universities to diversity the theme and expand its influence. Dean Delaney expressed his gratitude for this proposal and expresses his utmost willingness for the realization of the suggestion. In addition, two schools also discussed the AU Chair, @BNU, ONE MBA Project and more joint doctoral programs, faculty exchanges and other international cooperation plans.