2025 EFMD Global Asia Annual Conference

Name: 2025 EFMD Global Asia Annual Conference
Start: 2025-11-17T18:00:00+01:00
End: 2025-11-19T17:00:00+01:00
Location: SolBridge International School of Business

Business schools in a transformative age

Face to Face

17 November

- 19 November

Daejeon,

South Korea

serena.cui@efmdglobal.org

Event details

The 2025 EFMD Global Asia Annual Conference offers a unique opportunity to identify relevant trends, address region-specific challenges, and develop synergies with local stakeholders in management education. The conference gathers companies, educational institutions and other associations interested in Asia.

The conference facilitates dialogue on relevant themes, such as ongoing trends and emerging developments in management education in Asia, in joint plenary sessions and group discussions.
Over two days, participants have the opportunity to meet a wide network and bond with peers from the region and beyond.

Additional Information

This year’s host SolBridge International School of Business is one of the most globalised business schools in Korea.

Welcome to Daejeon, Korea’s science capital, a place where culture and innovation meet.

Please click the picture and check out the video, feel the vibe of the host school and the city of Daejeon.

If you are unable to open the video above, please click this link to access it.

Programme

18:00 – 20:00

Registration (name badge pick-up)

Welcome reception dinner (light meal)

Venue: 5F, Grand Ballroom @ Hotel Onoma

Address: 1 Expo-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon, South Korea, 34126

08:00

Transit bus from Hotel Onoma to SolBridge campus

08:30-9:00

Registration and coffee

Conference venue address: Auditorium, 4th floor, SolBridge International School of Business

128, Uam-ro, Dong-gu, Daejeon 34613, South Korea

09:00-12:00

Optional session — Introduction to EFMD Global’s Accreditation Portfolio
This session will introduce EFMD Global and the quality assurance portfolio with focus on EQUIS. Participants will have an overview of the process and standards and have the opportunity to have face-to-face conversations between the EQUIS Director and deans who have lived the EQUIS journey.

Alfons Sauquet, Director, Quality Services & EQUIS, EFMD Global
Yuan Ding, Associate Director, EQUIS, EFMD Global
Ian Fenwick, Director, Sasin School of Management, Thailand
Zhi Yang, Dean, School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China

12:00-13:30

Lunch

13:30-13:50

Opening Remarks

Deog-Seong Oh, President Emeritus, Woosong University, South Korea

Welcome address

Eric Cornuel, President, EFMD Global Network
Chia-Hsing Huang, Executive Dean, SolBridge International School of Business, Woosong University, South Korea

Welcome address by the Chairperson

Vanessa Chang, Dean, Curtin Business School, Pro Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University, Australia

13:50-14:20

Keynote speech

Transformation of Korea from hardware producer to soft/cultural/IP power

Ji-Ae Sohn, Invited Professor, Ewha Womans University; Cultural Cooperation Ambassador; Former President/CEO of Arirang TV, South Korea

14:20-15:20

Panel Session I:

Intersection of technology and business education

Technological advancements are reshaping the way businesses operate, compete, and innovate. The pace of AI advancements is unprecedented. What does this mean for students, business educators, and industry leaders?

John Park, CEO of Kreemo and former Executive VP at Samsung, South Korea
Mahadeo Jaiswal, Founding Director of Indian Institute of Management (IIM), India
Yenn-Ru Chen, Professor and Associate Dean for International Affairs, College of Commerce, National Cheng Chi University, Taiwan

Moderated by: Ingoo Han, Director, Woosong AI Research Institute, South Korea

15:20-15:50

Coffee break/Group Photo

15:50-16:50

Breakout Session 1A: (Classroom 229)

AI and the future of work

AI can enhance productivity, create new job roles, and enhance decision-making processes. How shall human-machine collaboration transform various aspects of work and life in the future?

Prashant Kumar, Professor, Endicott College, Woosong University, South Korea
Ho-Jin Choi,KAIST Professor, Director of Center for Artificial Intelligence Research, KAIST, South Korea
Yuan Ren, Chief Strategy Officer of Tezign and Vice Chair of CEIBS Tezign AI and Business Innovation Initiative, China

Moderated by: Alfons Sauquet, Director, Quality Services & EQUIS, EFMD Global

Breakout Session 1B: (Classroom 230)

AI and the future of business schools

How can faculty be helped to integrate AI into their teaching practice without compromising their pedagogical autonomy? How can AI detract from or contribute to the development of critical thinking?

Zhi Yang, Dean, School of Management, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, China
Yoo-Taek Lee, Senior Executive Dean of the Office of International Affairs, Woosong University, South Korea
Avvari V. Mohan, Deputy Head of School (Engagement & Impact), Monash University (Malaysia Campus), Malaysia

Moderated by: Nishit Jain, Special Senior Advisor to EFMD Asia, EFMD Global

16:50 – 17:00 Wrap up of the first day

17:00 – Leave for Woosong Main Campus (by bus, 15-20 mins)
17:20 – Performance by SolBridge students (Woosong Art Center)
Art Collection (Woosong Art Gallery) (5-min walking from Art Center)

18:00 – 20:00

Conference Gala Dinner at Woosong main campus

Solpine International Restaurant
226-2 Jayang-dong, Dong-gu, Daejeon

( 5-min walking from Art Gallery)

Transit bus from the gala dinner venue back to Hotel Onoma.

08:15

Transit bus from Hotel Onoma to SolBridge campus

08:45-09:00

Coffee

09:00-09:30

Themed Speech: Redefine internationalisation

Dong-sung Cho, Professor Emeritus, Seoul National University, South Korea

09:30-10:30

Panel Session II:

Navigating geopolitical realities in business education

In today’s complex global landscape, maintaining academic neutrality and fostering international networks and mobility are crucial for business schools. Despite geopolitical uncertainties, how shall business schools adapt their internationalisation strategies to ensure they remain relevant and impactful?

Frank Bournois, Vice President and Dean, CEIBS, China
Jusuke JJ Ikegami, Dean, Waseda Business School, Japan
Jikyeong Kang, President and Dean, Asia Institute of Management, Philippines

Moderated by: Yuan Ding, Associate Director, EQUIS, Senior Advisor to EFMD Asia, EFMD

10:30-11:00

Coffee break

11:00-12:00

Breakout Session 2A: (Classroom 229)

Geopolitics and sustainability

Geopolitical risks, such as conflicts and trade tensions, can disrupt supply chains and divert investments from renewable energy. Yet sustainability remains a critical global imperative. How can businesses and policymakers build resilience and drive sustainability forward? This session will explore the intersection of geopolitical dynamics and sustainable practices, focusing on practical strategies for mitigating risk and promoting sustainable development in a volatile global landscape.

Seung-Ook Lee, Endowed Chair Professor, KAIST, South Korea
Jo Bensemann, Head of School for the School of Management and Marketing, Massey Business School, New Zealand
Hemachandran K, Vice Dean, School of Business, Woxsen University, India

Moderated by: Christophe Terrasse, Director, International Projects, EFMD Global

Breakout Session 2B: (Classroom 230)

Ethics, power, and purpose to lead sustainably

In an era of geopolitical affairs and environmental challenges, leadership must balance power with ethical purpose, ensuring that their decisions serve both business goals and societal well-being. Business schools are key in preparing future leaders with the knowledge, skills, and ethical framework to navigate these complexities and lead with impact. How do business leaders drive change by integrating sustainability into core strategies and lead with accountability and impact?

Jiyong Eom, Professor at KAIST (Head, Graduate School of Green Growth and Sustainability), South Korea
Prasad Padmanabhan, Professor, SolBridge, South Korea
Jayakrishnan Satheendran, Associate Professor, Bharathidasan Institute of Management, India

Moderated by: Vanessa Chang, Dean, Curtin Business School, Pro Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University, Australia

12:00-12:20

Conclusion and key learnings by the Chairperson

Vanessa Chang, Dean, Curtin Business School, Pro Vice Chancellor, Faculty of Business and Law, Curtin University, Australia
Tae Han Kim, Executive Director (Board Member), Woosong Education Foundation, South Korea
Helke Carvalho, Vice President, EFMD Global

12:20-12:30

Presentation of next year’s host school

12:30-13:30

Lunch

13:30 – 14:00 Departure to the company

14:00 – 16:30 Company Visit (Korean National Railway)

16:30 – 17:00 Wooam Historica Park tour (if time permits)

Transit bus back to Hotel Onama/Bus Station

Speakers

Yuan Ding

Associate Director, EQUIS & Director, EFMD Global Network Asia

EFMD Global

Ian Fenwick

Director

Sasin School of Management

Nishit Jain

Sr. Spcl. Advisor Asia

EFMD Global Network Asia

Alfons Sauquet

Director, Quality Services & EQUIS

EFMD Global

Accommodation

The main hotel will be the:

Hotel Onoma

Group rate available for stay from 17-19 November.

You can book a room with group rate (breakfast included) here.

Transit shuttle bus will be provided between Hotel Onoma and SolBridge campus.

Other hotels for your reference (no transit shuttle bus provided):

Hotel Lotte City (4 star)
Benikea Daelim Hotel (3 star)
Toyoko Inn Daejeon Government Complex (3 star)

Additional information

Getting to Daejeon from the Airports

Incheon (ICN) → Daejeon:

Bus (Limousine):
- KRW27,700–35,900 | ~3 hrs (one stop in the middle) | Every 30 mins
- Drop-off: Daejeon Gov Complex/Express Bus Terminal
- Online Tickets:
  - https://intercitybuse.tmoney.co.kr/
  - https://txbuse.t-money.co.kr/otck/trmlInfEnty.do
Train:
- AREX (Orange Line is Express/Blue Line is all-stop) to Seoul Station (43–66 min, KRW4,150–11,000)
- Then → KTX to Daejeon (50–75 min, KRW23,700–38,000)
- Online Tickets for AREX:
  - https://www.airportrailroad.com/co/main.do

- Online Tickets for KTX (book 3–7 days ahead):

- - Trip.com
  - https://www.korail.com/global/eng/main

Taxi: KRW200,000–500,000 | ~2 hrs (traffic-dependent) | (truly expensive)

Cheongju (CJJ) → Daejeon:

Bus: KRW6,500 | ~47 min | To Yuseong/Daejeon Terminal
Train:
- Walk to Cheongju Airport Stn (600m) → Train to Daejeon Stn (KRW3,900 | ~60 min).
Taxi: KRW 55,000–70,000 | ~45 min.

Gimpo (GMP) → Daejeon:

Bus: KRW14,300 | To Daejeon Gov Complex/Bus Terminal.
Train: Subway to Seoul Station → KTX to Daejeon.
Taxi: KRW200,000–500,000 | ~2 hrs (traffic-dependent)

Arriving in Daejeon

Taxi is the most convenient way to hotels or SolBridge Campus (base fare KRW 4,300, 20% late night surcharge) | 15-20 min.
- Uber often connects you with a regular taxi service.
- Kakao T is a widely used taxi app in Korea.
Local bus and subway. Check the schedule and routes on KakaoBus or T-Money Go.

Last Bus/Train Schedule

Incheon Airport:
- Bus: 11:00 p.m. (T2), 11:20 p.m. (T1)
- AREX Train: 10:40 p.m. (T2), 10:48 p.m. (T1)
Gimpo Airport: Bus: 8:25 p.m.
Cheongju Airport: Bus: 10:00 p.m.
KTX (Seoul → Daejeon): Last train 11:28 p.m.
Late Arrival Recommendations (After last bus/train)

1) Taxi directly to Daejeon (expensive, +20% midnight surcharge).

2) Stay near the airport (hotels available).

3) Overnight in Seoul → Next-day KTX to Daejeon.

Map & Navigation Apps

Map: Naver Map/Kakao Map (Google Maps is unreliable in Korea).
Public Transport: Use Kakao Bus or T-money GO app for real-time bus/subway info.

T-Money card

Purchase: Convenience stores like CU, GS25, 7-Eleven, or Emart 24, vending machine or counter available at airport/train station | KRW 2,500 – 4,000 | card non-refundable
Recharge: Cash only
Use public local transportation, such as buses, subways, taxis, convenience stores, and some restaurants. But not for AREX, KTX, and airport buses.

Currency exchange and cash

Exchange Rate: KRW10,000 ≈ Euro 6.2
To ensure a smooth travel, please bring some KRW in cash. (approximately 300-350 euros worth)

Visa

If you hold a passport from the listed counties/regions on K-ETA website, it is highly suggested that you apply for K-ETA. The process is fast, economical, and the authorization is valid for three years, allowing multiple entries without reapplication.
Please check the Korean Visa Portal for the visa application. If you need a formal invitation letter, please contact Serena Cui, serena.cui@efmdglobal.org
The e-Arrival card is an online entry declaration form for travellers entering South Korea. Please visit the e-Arrival Card Portal for the application. You can submit the form online up to three days before your arrival, or you can fill out the paper-form arrival card during your flight.

Additional detailed information and tips for local attractions, please refer to the comprehensive Daejeon Guide prepared by our host.

South Korea – Daejeon Guide 2025

K-ETA and e-Arrival Card Guide

Registration fees

Early bird fee until 15 September 2025 included

770€ members of EFMD
870€ affiliated members of EFMD
970€ non-members of EFMD

Normal registration fee as of 16 September 2025

970€ members of EFMD
1070€ affiliated members of EFMD
1170€ non-members of EFMD

Institutional Rate – allows registration of up to four representatives

Early bird fee until 15 September 2025 – 1350€
Normal registration fee as of 16 September 2025 – 2000€

The institutional rate is a flat one-time fee and is the same for member and non-member schools. Please contact Serena Cui to receive a code if you would like to use this option.

Cancellation policy

Cancellations must be confirmed in writing. If EFMD is notified of your withdrawal by 31 October 2025, an administrative cancellation fee of 75€ will apply. After this date, we regret that no refunds can be issued. However, substitutions are allowed at no additional cost, provided EFMD is informed of the substitute’s name, title, and address. Event fees are not transferable to other EFMD events.

Please note that if payment (or proof of payment) is not received by 7 November 2025, your name will not be included in the participants’ list.