Fudan University
Leadership and Innovation in Higher Education

Founded in 1905 in Shanghai, Fudan University is a comprehensive research-oriented university and a member of China’s “Double First-Class” initiative. With leading strengths across the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, medicine and emerging engineering disciplines, Fudan is committed to advancing sustainable development and global engagement. The university actively builds partnerships with world-class institutions and plays a central role in shaping the future of higher education in China and beyond.

Learn more by visiting the Fudan University website.

Fudan University approached the Møller Institute seeking a focused, in-person programme to support senior administrative leaders in strengthening international capacities and institutional governance. The university’s Office of Global Partnerships identified priorities including benchmarking governance and leadership practices, exploring innovations in teaching and student support, and developing practical approaches to sustaining international collaborations.

Fudan’s aim was to create a space for senior leaders to reflect on their own institution’s strategy, compare approaches with a globally renowned institution, and return with insights relevant to the Chinese higher education context. The Møller Institute’s expertise in designing bespoke executive education for universities provided the ideal foundation for a programme that combined Cambridge’s academic and administrative perspectives with practical, actionable learning.

Following a thorough needs assessment, the Møller Institute collaborated with the Office of Global Partnerships at Fudan University to co-design a bespoke programme that reflected the university’s strategic priorities and ensured that upon completion, participants would be better able to:

• Critically evaluate principles and practices from the University of Cambridge to inform decision-making at Fudan University.
• Critically evaluate models of student development, talent recruitment, innovation in teaching, learning and research and international co-operation to identify insights relevant to a Chinese higher education context.
• Evaluate the role of leadership in supporting world-class education, innovation and academic research.
• Demonstrate enhanced confidence engaging with international partners and articulating institutional strategies.

Drawing on the University of Cambridge’s world-class expertise in higher education leadership, the programme blended academic theory with practical application. Each session was carefully curated to align with Fudan’s institutional context, combining lectures, case studies, and peer discussion to encourage reflection and the exchange of ideas between two globally influential universities.

Through the programme, participants developed a deeper understanding of how transparent, community-oriented leadership underpins academic excellence and innovation. They critically examined governance models, explored talent and student development frameworks, and strengthened their confidence in engaging with international partners. Analysis of feedback survey responses show that participants most valued:

• Gaining leadership and innovation insights relevant to higher education management
• Learning from Cambridge’s distinctive governance, culture and institutional excellence
• High-quality, engaging and responsive teaching
• Opportunities to explore international and comparative perspectives

By the end of the programme, delegates reported deeper understanding of how Fudan can continue to evolve as a globally-connected, progressive university – one that blends its strong cultural heritage with a modern, internationally engaged approach to education and research.