Shanghai Jiao Tong University has strengthened its alliance with Spain's ESADE Business School in Barcelona, Spain, through a two-year, double-degree program for Master of Science students in Europe and China that is aimed at promoting academic excellence and cross-cultural understanding.

According to Koldo Echebarria, ESADE's director general, the new agreement with Jiao Tong University "confirms ESADE's mission to cultivate students' international and global perspective worldwide, empowering exceptional youth."

Applicants for the program must have a good academic record, language skills and extra-curricular experiences.

Jiang Sixian, party secretary of Shanghai Jiao Tong University and chairman of the University Council, expressed high hopes for the collaboration, saying students can through the program learn skills that are critical to them becoming future leaders on the global stage.

"I believe close partnership between the two advanced business schools will bring about better educational practices that are aligned with fast changes and new challenges of the global economy," said Jiang.