15 years ago, Bao Guoxian has led LUSM as a founding Dean. 15 years later, he is no longer the Dean, but always takes the pride to witness the rapid development of the School. For all LUSMers, he is respected as the founding Dean, and a pioneer.

Disadvantages? Advantages?

In 2004, LUSM was established. “At that time, of the total 36 faculty members, only 2 had doctorates. There were only 5 second-level Master's degree programs, not even 1 first-level program. For scientific research, there were only a few hundreds of thousands funds each year.” Bao said.   

At the beginning of his journey to lead the School, Bao was often invited to participate in various anniversaries of other management schools. “Compared to them, we are too young. Most schools have already celebrated their 20-year anniversary, while we are still an infant.”

"Lanzhou University does not need a weak school," Bao said. "we must match the academic status and social reputation of the University." Therefore, the School has set the goal of building a first-class and internationally renowned comprehensive school of management from then on.

Exploiting Potential Advantages

Lanzhou University is located in the west of China, a region often considered to be with comparatively disadvantages. However, Bao found that all issues need to be studied in the field of public administration, such as ethnic groups, ecological and poverty issues, etc. also existed in this region, but with a much lower cost in carrying out research in the west than that in the east. This was an advantage.

Although it was a late start, if compare to those mature management schools in the east, say 20 years, it was still another advantage. It means LUSM could stand on the shoulders of giants by learning the experiences and lessons drawn by them.  

With the platform of the “985 Project” and “211 Project” of Lanzhou University, together with the research advantages of being located in the west, LUSM has outlined a road for development with its own characteristics towards internationalization.

Towards a First-class Management Discipline

At the establishment of the School, the most urgent need was for people. The 36-faculty-team cannot meet the development of the School. Therefore, Bao began to implement the strategy of building the School by talents. “It was very difficult for us to bring in well-known experts, so we turned into outstanding doctoral graduates from famous universities.”In a few years, more than 40 graduates have joined School from universities home and abroad.

Building a first-class, internationally-renowned school in China is not an empty talk. The "market" of the academic circle also needs to open up the territory. This process is comparable to creating a new business.

Bao Guoxian is such a pioneer. He took his business card and visited a lot of famous management experts at home and abroad, to find opportunities for cooperation. During that period, he has tasted real ups and downs.

He Wensheng, the current Dean, said that when Dean Bao led us to set up a MBA program in Shenzhen, we were all sweating in our hands. “Carrying out the MBA program in the most economically developed region, by us, a School from economically less-developed region, can it survive in the end?” Practice has proved that the MBA program has not only lived in Shenzhen, but also thrived there by cultivating a large number of management talents for the Pearl River Delta Region.