About 17 years ago, a partnership was formed bringing together the minds from Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Business School and Kellogg School of Management, by way of an Executive MBA Program. The global network of top-tier programs now includes partnerships in Tel Aviv, Toronto, Düsseldorf and Miami.

HKUST and Kellogg have built what has become a world-renowned program among international business school collaborations. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the graduating class.

"With this partnership, the program draws senior executives from all over the world to take part in a truly excellent executive MBA program," says Judy Au, program director for the Kellogg-HKUST collaboration. 

As with any dynamic collaboration, there are countless factors at work to create a successful partnership. For Paul Christensen, associate dean of global programs, a key factor is the quality connection between faculty members and their students.

"The faculty on both sides of this program are among the best of the best," he says. "The quality of the students themselves that we're able to attract — because we're doing things right in the classroom — is just outstanding, and it shows in their career trajectories after they've graduated."