Ⅰ. The Overview

1. Global Value Chain Research Institute (GVC Research Institute)

The Global Value Chain Research Institute was established on May 11, 2015, under the Ministry of Commerce–University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) Cooperation Agreement, and officially inaugurated on July 20, 2016, at UIBE. As a substantive teaching and research institutionof UIBE, the Institute holds the status of a secondary school within the university.

The Institute is a product of deepening reforms in higher education mechanisms, adhering to international standardsas its guiding principle. It follows the 2011 Collaborative Innovation Centermodel and the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA) Innovation Schoolframework. The Institute aims to strengthen research on global value chain (GVC) theory, policy evaluation, and business applications, cultivate high-end talent in related fields, and support China’s strategic blueprint for GVC development and cooperation.

In 2016, the Institute received funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) for a think tank research project, followed by an NSFC Key Project in 2017. In December 2017, it was awarded the "111 Project" (a national program for introducing top foreign experts) by the Ministry of Education and SAFEA, becoming the "Innovation Center for Global Value Chain Research."

2. Global Value Chain (GVC) Programme

The Institute currently offers one disciplineunder Applied Economics (first-tier discipline): Global Value Chain (second-tier discipline). Applied Economics is a first-class disciplineat UIBE. The Institute grants Master’s and Ph.D. degreesin Applied Economics, with a specialization in Global Value Chain.

In September 2018, the Institute enrolled China’s first cohort of GVC Master’s students (20) and Ph.D. students . By July 2024, 102 Master’s students had graduated with a GVC Master’s degree, achieving a 100% employment rate. Currently, the Institute has 38 Master’s students and 11 Ph.D. students.

A key objective of the Institute is to cultivate interdisciplinary talent with international perspectives, comprehensive backgrounds, and high-level English proficiency. GVC students have demonstrated outstanding performance, with many receiving National Scholarshipsand university-level Outstanding Thesis Awards

Master’s Programme Admissions Guide

Ⅱ. The Student Development and Curriculum System

1. Student Development Plan

The Global Value Chain (GVC) Programme is an interdisciplinary field, integrating Applied Economics, Business Administration, and Statistics. It awards a Master’s degree in Applied Economics (GVC specialization).

The GVC Research Instituteis distinguished by its internationalized education approach and advanced training philosophy. Currently, it maintains strong partnerships with:

Top global universities: Stanford University, Duke University, Columbia University, George Mason University, etc.

International organizations: WTO, OECD, World Bank, UNEP, UNIDO, IDE-JETRO, ADB, IDB, etc.

These collaborations enhance joint research, faculty/student exchanges, and talent development, aligning with China’s strategic blueprint for GVC development and cooperation.

2. Core Curriculum

The institute curriculum is designed to highlight the strengths of interdisciplinary studies, incorporating core courses from three primary disciplines: Economics, Management, and Statistics. At the same time, it emphasizes the development of students' well-rounded personalities and innovative capabilities. The specialized courses are aligned with top-tier international graduate programs, providing students with a solid theoretical and practical foundation for further studies.

The institute comprises six research departments: the Theory Department, Data Department, Modeling Department, Development Department, Environment Department, and the Enterprise & Product Department. Key research areas include:Theoretical modeling of global value chains (GVCs)，Statistical measurement and economic analysis of GVCs，Domestic production networks within GVCs，Research based on computable general equilibrium (CGE) models，GVCs and tax system design，Real effective exchange rates within the GVC framework，GVCs and the environment，GVCs and trade in services，E-commerce and big data，Industry and corporate case studies.

Ⅲ. High-Quality and Multidisciplinary Faculty

The Global Value Chain Research Institute boasts a team of 11 full-time researchers, all of whom hold doctoral degrees (100% Ph.D. rate), with 54% having earned their degrees overseas. Every faculty member has experience studying or conducting research abroad. Dean Professor Xiaopeng Yin was honored with the title of "Outstanding Graduate Student Advisor of the University of International Business and Economics" in 2023.