MBS and SWUFE join forces to establish a new Franco-Chinese Institute in Chengdu

MBS School of Business and Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE) are strengthening their academic cooperation with the creation of a Franco-Chinese Institute in Chengdu. From the start of the 2026 academic year, nearly 250 students will be able to enrol in jointly developed programmes covering strategic fields such as finance, marketing, artificial intelligence, and supply chain management. Through this initiative, the two institutions reaffirm their commitment to developing internationally oriented programmes and building lasting bridges between the French and Chinese academic ecosystems.

An ambitious academic partnership

MBS School of Business is taking a new step in its international development with the creation of a Franco-Chinese Institute in partnership with Southwestern University of Finance and Economics (SWUFE), one of China’s leading universities in finance, economics, and management.

From the start of the 2026 academic year, nearly 250 students will join the various programmes offered by the Institute, which is the result of academic cooperation between the MBS and SWUFE teams. Through this initiative, the two institutions aim to strengthen academic exchanges between France and China and provide programmes that respond to the transformations taking place across economies and businesses.

The project will officially launch on 16 and 17 September 2026 on the MBS campus in Montpellier, ahead of an opening ceremony to be held on 13 October 2026 in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province and one of China’s most dynamic metropolitan areas.

An alliance between two renowned institutions

Based in Chengdu, Southwestern University of Finance and Economics has built a strong academic reputation in China and internationally. The university educates tens of thousands of students each year and is recognised for its expertise in finance, economics, and management.

Its location at the heart of Chengdu is also a major asset for this new partnership. A dynamic economic, technological, and entrepreneurial hub, the city provides a favourable environment for developing new collaborations between higher education institutions, businesses, and local communities.

SWUFE also holds the prestigious EQUIS and AACSB international accreditations, reflecting the quality of its academic model and its international reach.

This cooperation is therefore built on the complementary expertise of two institutions that share a common ambition: preparing tomorrow’s talent to thrive in constantly evolving economic environments and an increasingly demanding international context.

Programmes addressing the challenges of economic transformation

From the start of the 2026 academic year, the Franco-Chinese Institute will welcome nearly 250 students across several programmes jointly designed by the academic teams at MBS and SWUFE.

Teaching will focus in particular on four strategic areas for businesses and organisations:

• Finance
• Marketing
• Artificial Intelligence
• Supply Chain and International Logistics

These programmes will enable students to develop skills that meet the needs of businesses in a globalised environment and to enhance their qualifications through recognised professional certifications.

MBS faculty members will work alongside their SWUFE counterparts to encourage the sharing of expertise, intercultural approaches, and the internationalisation of the programmes.

A shared vision for higher education

For Mohamed Afennich, General Director of MBS:

“The creation of this Franco-Chinese Institute with Southwestern University of Finance and Economics marks a major milestone in MBS’s international development. Beyond being a simple academic partnership, this project reflects our commitment to building lasting cooperation with institutions of excellence that share our values of openness, innovation, and academic rigour. By combining the expertise of MBS and SWUFE, we are creating a unique learning environment that enables students to develop high-value skills in an international context.”

He adds:

“In the face of the major economic, technological, and societal transformations reshaping the world, educating future decision-makers requires closer cooperation between higher education institutions more than ever. This Franco-Chinese Institute fully embodies this ambition and will contribute to building lasting connections between the French and Chinese academic ecosystems.”

Further recognition of MBS’s international reach

This partnership also reflects MBS’s international development strategy, which is based on building long-term academic partnerships with institutions recognised for their excellence, innovative capacity, and global outlook.

For André Deljarry, President of MBS:

“We are particularly proud to partner with Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, a university recognised for the excellence of its programmes, the quality of its research, and its international reputation. This partnership reflects the trust placed in MBS and our ability to forge strategic alliances with leading institutions around the world.”

He continues:

“Located in Chengdu, one of China’s most innovative and attractive metropolitan areas, SWUFE offers an exceptional environment for developing high-value academic cooperation. Through this Franco-Chinese Institute, we are helping to build lasting bridges between the talent, businesses, and communities of our two countries.”

A new chapter in Franco-Chinese academic relations

Through the creation of this Franco-Chinese Institute, MBS and SWUFE reaffirm their shared commitment to academic excellence, international openness, and the development of the skills needed for the economies of tomorrow.

This cooperation also demonstrates the ability of higher education institutions to bring cultures closer together, facilitate the mobility of knowledge, and support business transformation on a global scale.

The official ceremony to be held on 13 October 2026 in Chengdu will mark the launch of this new academic and human journey, which is set to grow in the years ahead for the benefit of students, socio-economic partners, and both institutions.