As Fudan University in China continues its endeavor to establish itself as a premier digital university within mainland China, it has unveiled a comprehensive strategy to introduce an extensive range of artificial intelligence (AI) courses in the near future. Higher education institutions must keep up with the industry trends and simulate the corporate/industrial experience to prepare students for a successful professional career. The business world is becoming more competitive and demanding, and it is no secret that candidates have to meet higher expectations. Adhering to this vital need, Fudan University is set to introduce more than 100 AI-

related courses across various departments, emphasizing its ambition to achieve global competitiveness. The administration is adopting a strategic and phased approach to this rollout, initially planning to make 60 courses available.

The inaugural set of AI courses is set to launch with the commencement of the fall semester, anticipated in late August. Subsequent courses will be progressively introduced thereafter. The introduction of 100 AI-centric courses has sparked widespread conjecture regarding the university's potential shift towards becoming an AI-focused entity.

Contrary to such speculation, Chen Yan, the Executive Vice Dean of Fudan University, clarified that their objective is not to transform into an AI-exclusive institution but rather to contribute significantly to the digital transformation of mainland China. “We are not establishing an artificial intelligence institute, but mobilizing all students to aim at the construction of a scientific intelligence innovation ecosystem,” said Yan. In this special yearly issue of CEO Insights, we shed light on the reputable alumni ecosystem of Fudan University. Do let us know your thoughts.