As businesses navigate shifting supply chains, geopolitical tensions and technological change, NUS Business School has launched a new scholarship to develop future leaders in global trade and international business.

Established in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation and Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation, the Global Trade Leaders Scholarship will provide S$750,000 in support over three years, from 2027 to 2029. Each year, five MBA students will receive up to S$50,000 towards their tuition fees.

Open to both full-time and part-time MBA students, the scholarship will support those working in global trade or seeking careers in trade-related sectors. Recipients will also be invited to join the Hinrich Foundation Alumni Association, connecting them with an international network of scholars across 30 countries and 65 cities.

Professor Teo Chung Piaw, Dean of NUS Business School, said: “Global trade is being reshaped by geopolitical developments, shifting supply chains and advances in artificial intelligence (AI). As AI changes how businesses analyse information and make decisions, leaders must be able to ask the right questions, weigh competing considerations and exercise sound judgement.

“The Global Trade Leaders Scholarship will support MBA students as they prepare to navigate these challenges and pursue careers across international markets. By bringing together business education, global trade expertise and industry experience, the scholarship reflects a shared commitment to developing the next generation of leaders.”

Bringing together education, trade and industry

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to widening access to business education and developing the next generation of global trade leaders, building on longstanding ties between the three organisations. During Baolong's early international expansion, the company tapped on Global Sources, to connect with overseas customers. Global Sources was founded by Dr Merle A. Hinrich, Founder and Chairman of the Hinrich Foundation.

Dr Hinrich has been involved in advancing international trade, particularly across East Asia and emerging markets for more than six decades. In 2012, he established the Hinrich Foundation, an independent, privately endowed philanthropic institution that supports research and education to advance mutually beneficial and sustainable global trade.

Dr Hinrich said: “The future of global trade depends on leaders who understand that trade is not simply about the movement of goods and capital, but about building relationships, creating shared value and strengthening prosperity across economies.

“We are pleased to partner with NUS Business School and Shanghai Baolong Automotive Corporation to support talented MBA students as they develop the knowledge, international perspective and leadership capabilities needed to make a positive contribution to global trade.”

The partnership also draws on Baolong's longstanding relationship with NUS Business School. Mr Zhang Zuqiu (Charles), Chairman and President of Baolong, graduated from the NUS Executive MBA (Chinese) programme in 2007. Since then, more than a dozen Baolong executives have completed the NUS EMBA (Chinese) programme, reflecting the company's continued investment in leadership development.

In 2025, Baolong established the Baolong Automotive Bursary, an endowed bursary supporting financially needy undergraduates at NUS Business School. Its support for the Global Trade Leaders Scholarship builds on this commitment to education and talent development.

Mr Zhang said: “As a company that has grown from Shanghai to markets around the world, Baolong understands first-hand the importance of global connectivity, innovation and talent. We are pleased to support the next generation of business leaders through the Global Trade Leaders Scholarship. We hope this initiative will encourage MBA students to look beyond individual markets, embrace international opportunities and contribute to the future of global business.”

The Global Trade Leaders Scholarship was launched at a gift signing ceremony on 28 October 2026, followed by a fireside conversation with Dr Hinrich and Mr Zhang on their experiences in international business and global trade.

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About National University of Singapore (NUS)

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is Singapore’s flagship university, which offers a global approach to education, research and entrepreneurship, with a focus on Asian perspectives and expertise. We have 15 colleges, faculties and schools across three campuses in Singapore, with more than 40,000 students from 100 countries enriching our vibrant and diverse campus community. We have also established around 15 NUS Overseas Colleges entrepreneurial hubs around the world.

Our multidisciplinary and real-world approach to education, research and entrepreneurship enables us to work closely with industry, governments and academia to address crucial and complex issues relevant to Asia and the world. Researchers in our faculties, research centres of excellence, corporate labs and more than 30 university-level research institutes focus on themes that include energy; environmental and urban sustainability; treatment and prevention of diseases; active ageing; advanced materials; risk management and resilience of financial systems; Asian studies; and Smart Nation capabilities such as artificial intelligence, data science, operations research and cybersecurity.

For more information on NUS, please visit nus.edu.sg.

About NUS Business School

With 50,000 alumni and 60 global chapters, the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School is known for providing management thought leadership from an Asian perspective, enabling its students and corporate partners to leverage global knowledge and Asian insights.

The school has consistently ranked first in Asia by independent publications and agencies, such as The Financial Times and Quacquarelli Symonds, in recognition of the quality of its programmes, faculty research and graduates.

The school is accredited by AACSB International (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) and EQUIS (European Quality Improvement System), endorsements that the school has met the highest standards for business education.

For more information about NUS Business School, please visit bschool.nus.edu.sg.

To discover our MBA, MSc or Executive Education courses,

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About the Hinrich Foundation

The Hinrich Foundation is an independent Asia-based philanthropic organization dedicated to advancing mutually beneficial and sustainable global trade. We believe that mutually beneficial and sustainable global trade is a powerful force for shared prosperity, technological progress, sustainability and peaceful international cooperation. Our work is grounded in rigorous fact-based research and the development of innovative trade education programs. We invest in building a new generation of trade leaders, capable of navigating the complexities of global value chains and the evolving geopolitical and technological environment, by partnering with leading universities and corporations.