Shandong University (SDU) and the University of Waikato (UoW) have received approval to establish the SDU-UoW International Business School. This joint venture, a high-level cooperative educational institution, will be located on SDU's Weihai campus.

Serving as a strategic platform for collaborative growth, the new school brings together SDU's strong academic foundation and the world-class resources of the Waikato Management School. By focusing on areas such as the digital economy, smart trade, and digital supply chains, the institution aims to drive the modernization of business education. It is committed to cultivating innovative, global talents capable of navigating the latest technological and industrial revolutions, supporting the high-quality development of regional economy.

The academic offerings include three undergraduate programs — Economics, International Economics and Trade, and Supply Chain Management — and three doctoral programs: Economics, Supply Chain Management, and Tourism Management.

To align with international standards, the institution will leverage premium overseas educational resources. More than one-third of the curriculum will be delivered in English by high-level faculty members from UoW.

Upon completing their studies, undergraduate students will be awarded dual degrees from both SDU and UoW, while doctoral graduates will be awarded a PhD from UoW. This partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing disciplinary upgrades and fostering an international educational ecosystem in Shandong.