Former Ambassador to Malaysia Speaks to Mason School Executive MBA Class
Ambassador James Keith '79, former US Ambassador to Malaysia, recently visited the Raymond A. Mason School of Business to speak to the Executive MBA Class of 2017. As students in the EMBA program prepared to leave for a global immersion trip to China, Ambassador Keith’s presentation about US-China relations provided a base of understanding for what the students would experience.
Professor Deborah Hewitt led the students during their visit to China. Hewitt talked about the importance of this event and how it would impact the global immersion experience.
“Political and economic developments in China are among the top 2 or 3 most important forces shaping global business over the next couple of decades,” said Hewitt. “For this reason, our Executive MBAs study and travel to China every year."
Keith spoke to the students about the changing dynamics of the modern relationship between the U.S. and China. This modern relationship, according to Keith, began in 1972 when then president, Richard Nixon, initiated an effort to improve relations between the two countries.
Keith discussed factors like Communism, the varying approaches of each Chairman of the party, the cost of the 10% growth rate in China and other issues that have and will continue to impact US-China relations.
After the presentation, students from the EMBA program stayed around, engaging in dialogue with Keith. The experience served as a useful preparation for 8-day journey.
