UB School of Management, Dalian University of Technology strengthen 40-year partnership
Representatives from UB and Dalian University of Technology met at UB last month to sign collaboration agreements. Front row, from left: Xiaobing Song, John Wood, Nallan Suresh, Joseph Alutto, Ananth Iyer. Back row, from left: Jinghua Wang, Yongjian Ding, David Murray, Natalie Simpson, Charles Wang and Zhaoguang Xu. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
By JACQUELINE GHOSEN
Published November 10, 2025
The School of Management and the Office of International Education hosted a team of four academic leaders from the Dalian University of Technology Oct. 28-31. DUT is a longstanding partner university, dating back to 1984 when they first collaborated with UB to establish the first-ever U.S.-style MBA in China.
Guests from Dalian University of Technology’s School of Economics and Management included Xiaobing Song, professor and associate dean of full-time graduate education, international cooperation and accreditation, and case research and teaching; Yongjian Ding, associate professor and associate dean of undergraduate education, undergraduate admissions and professional-degree graduate education; Jinghua Wang, associate dean of organization, communications and labor union affairs; and Zhaoguang Xu, associate professor and assistant dean, who assists in international cooperation and accreditation.
Representing the School of Management were Dean Ananth Iyer; David Murray, associate dean for undergraduate programs; Natalie Simpson, associate dean for graduate programs; Nallan Suresh, associate dean for faculty, research and centers; Charles Wang, associate professor of operations management and strategy; and Joseph Alutto, who was dean of the School of Management when the partnership with Dalian began. Also joining the group was John Wood, senior associate provost for international education.
On Oct. 29, the group signed agreements to collaborate on two programs:
- An MBA/MS 1+1 program where students from DUT earn an Executive MBA from DUT and a one-year MS degree from UB.
- A 2+2 PhD program where students earn PhD degrees from DUT and UB and spend two years at each school.
School of Management Dean Ananth Iyer (left) signs the program agreement with Xiaobing Song, professor and associate dean of full-time graduate education, international cooperation and accreditation, and case research and teaching at Dalian University of Technology. Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
“Our partnership with Dalian University of Technology continues to expand opportunities for students to engage in rigorous, cross-cultural learning,” Iyer said. “These new programs deepen the pipeline of globally minded professionals who will shape the future of business and innovation in both nations.”
The visitors also attended a lunch hosted by the vice provost for international education, met with professors who have taught at Dalian and were guests at a dinner with faculty, staff and alumni hosted by Rich Products at Rich’s Atrium. On Oct. 30, they met with School of Management center directors and other faculty on campus, then took a tour of Niagara Falls, followed by a casual dinner.
“For many years, the School of Management has been a pioneer in forging innovative global programs that leverage the strengths of each partner,” said Nojin Kwak, vice provost for international education. “Building on the legacy of the earlier Dalian MBA program, this new initiative confirms the school’s continuing importance for management education in China.”