GMAC’s latest global survey of business school candidates also finds increasing importance of ROI as the tech sector’s lure fades.

RESTON, Va., April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Individuals looking to enter business schools overwhelmingly say they want to learn how to think strategically and problem solve, according to the latest annual survey of global prospective students to business school released today by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). And with nearly half of prospective students reporting artificial intelligence (AI) as part of their ideal curriculum, candidates are expecting hands-on experience utilizing AI for strategy and decision-making.

“Employers have consistently informed us that they value hallmark skills like strategic thinking and problem-solving. Once again, we found that prospective students are on the same page with their future employers,” says Joy Jones, CEO at GMAC. “Employers have also identified socio-emotional skills as critical to becoming a business leader, presenting a great opportunity for business schools to encourage their current and future students to take advantage of the embedded opportunities to hone and highlight teamwork, adaptability, and emotional intelligence in their educational and career journeys.”

MBA reigns supreme with interest in business master’s on the rise.

As more business schools launch new and increasingly specialized master’s programs, candidates have taken notice. Compared to the previous year, there has been a significant jump in the share of candidates who prefer business master’s degrees. Even though preference for the MBA dipped slightly, roughly half of global business candidates still consider it their top choice. A deeper dive into the shift reveals that pre-experience candidates as well as those aged 30 and over are more inclined to apply for business master’s programs than before.

“For the more seasoned professionals seeking to pivot their career or college students contemplating becoming an accountant or marketeer, a relatively shorter and specialized business program could be an ideal educational path,” says Martin Boehm, executive vice president and global dean of undergraduate programs at Hult International Business School and a GMAC board director.

The survey also showed that more people are expressing preference for in-person business education programs—either full-time or part-time in format—reversing a multi-year trend of growing popularity of hybrid and flexible programs since the inception of the pandemic.

Labor market uncertainty impacts ROI considerations, desired industries.

Cost remains a top barrier for candidates to get graduate business degrees no matter where they are located or how advanced they are in their career. Today’s economic and employment outlook has heightened people’s awareness around opportunity cost and return of their investment. In fact, ROI remains prospective students’ most considered factor when researching GME, with a noticeable increase in how many survey respondents say this is among their most important aspects of choosing a business school.

The uncertainty also reflects in the industry they are looking to enter upon graduation. While consulting, financial services, and technology still top the list, there has been a small but statistically significant dip in candidate interest in the tech sector. This is likely related to a challenging year for major tech companies, where recent layoffs hit hard not just the technical engineer positions but also more business-oriented roles in marketing and talent recruitment.

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Global economy and geopolitical intricacies influence study destinations.

Study destination preferences of global candidates have remained steady over the past five years, with the United States and Western Europe continuing to occupy the top spots for students intending to study abroad. At the same time, affordability and being closer to home are deciding factors among candidates who want to study in regions like Asia, the Middle East, and Africa—where rising inflation and fluctuating currency exchange rates have dominated recent headlines.

“As the global economy becomes increasingly uncertain, we’re seeing candidates from around the world seeking out the value for money, unique perspectives, and hands-on experience with complex problems they can gain by studying in regions with young populations and fast-growing, dynamic markets,” says Catherine Duggan, director (dean) of the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business and chair-elect of the GMAC Board.

About the Prospective Student Survey

With 15 years of survey responses representing all world regions, the GMAC Prospective Students Survey has provided the world’s graduate business schools with critical insights into the decision-making processes of people currently considering applying to a graduate management education program. This year’s summary report analyzes 2024 data from 4,912 respondents across 147 countries—45 percent female and 67 percent Gen Z—offering insights into evolving candidate decision-making to guide business school strategies. The full report with additional findings is available on gmac.com.

About GMAC

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. GMAC provides world-class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry as well as resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test^™ (GMAT^™) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment.

More than 13 million prospective students a year trust GMAC’s websites, including mba.com, to learn about MBA and business master’s programs, connect with schools around the world, prepare and register for exams and get advice on successfully applying to MBA and business master’s programs. BusinessBecause and GMAC Tours are subsidiaries of GMAC, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com

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DUBAI, UAE, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Bybit, the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, released a new weekly crypto derivatives analytics report in collaboration with Block Scholes, outlining crypto’s attempt to resist broader macroeconomic headwinds as the Trump administration announced new decrees in the ongoing trade war. Bearish signs dampened faith in crypto, with OTM puts dominating short-term BTC volatility at a more pressing level than the US financial crisis in Q1 2023. The trend was eased by the 90-day pause, which led to a global market rally.

Key Highlights:

• BTC Open Interest Impaired by Tariff-Induced Turmoil: Bybit data showed relative stability in the context of a global risk-on event. The flow was disrupted on “Liberation Day”, following which BTC and ETH did not escape the fate of other assets and both suffered dramatic declines from their March highs.
• Funding Rates Clinging to Neutrality: Data captured a short-lived positive trend in funding rates on Bybit in the report, which trended down after traders sensed a period of uncertainty in economic and trade policies. Treading the fine line between positive and negative headlines, BTC’s perpetual swap market has been lacking overall directional sentiments.
• An Open Interest Remains Firm: BTC plunged to $75K following Trump’s initial “declaration of war” in tariffs, triggering a defensive options strategy shift. Put trading outpaced calls as investors sought protection, while US counter-tariffs inverted the volatility curve—a condition that persists despite some recovery. The current put skew exceeds levels seen during the 2023 banking crisis, with surging interest signaling widespread pessimism.

Access the Full Report

For detailed insights, readers may download the full report.

#Bybit / #TheCryptoArk /#BybitResearch

About Bybit

Bybit is the world’s second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 60 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press
For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com
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–       The new service robot zone becomes the hotspot for buyers

GUANGZHOU, China, April 15, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On April 15, the 137th China Import and Export Fair (Canton Fair) officially opened in Guangzhou, drawing global attention as it kicked off one of the world’s largest trade events. Running from April 15 to May 5, the Fair is divided into three phases under the themes of “Advanced Manufacturing,” “Quality Home Life,” and “Better Life.” This edition features 55 exhibition sections and 172 product zones, with newly added zones dedicated to service robots and integrated housing solutions.

The 137th Canton Fair continues to embrace a hybrid model, with its online platform operating all year-round. Enhanced functionality, improved structure, and upgraded services on the digital platform aim to create new business opportunities and help stabilize and improve the quality of China’s foreign trade.

The Deputy Director of China Foreign Trade Centre, Zhang Sihong, welcomed international guests in his opening remarks, highlighting the Fair’s role as a long-standing bridge of global cooperation. “The Canton Fair once again opens its arms to friends from around the world. Here, this spectacular event, we come together to pursue shared success and mutual benefit,” Zhang said.

As of April 13, over 200,000 overseas buyers from 215 countries and regions had pre-registered to attend the fair.

On the opening day, Phase 1 of the Fair, themed “Advanced Manufacturing,” attracted tremendous foot traffic across its 520,000-square-meter exhibition space. A key highlight was the new Service Robots Zone in the Friendship Hall in Area D, where buyers gathered to film product displays of various robots, such as robotic dogs, industrial exoskeletons, and autonomous navigation robots.

From April 15 to 19, Phase 1 showcases the strength of China’s industrial innovation, featuring 11,304 exhibitors, including approximately 3,700 companies focused on electric vehicles, lithium batteries, solar cells, digital technologies, and intelligent manufacturing. The spotlight on advanced technologies and green solutions reflects China’s ongoing transformation into a high-tech manufacturing powerhouse.

With its expanding scale and evolving content, the Canton Fair remains a vital platform for connecting international markets and showcasing China’s industrial progress. As it enters its 137th session, the Fair continues to foster trade cooperation and inspire global partnerships, reaffirming its position as a cornerstone of international commerce.

To learn more about Canton Fair, please download the Canton Fair App at https://cief.cantonfair.org.cn/en/app/appintro.html.

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