Yuge Cai, '25 MBA

With nearly 20 years in the internet industry, Yuge Cai is now the head of efficiency at NetEase Rayfire. The Alberta School of Business’s alumni association in China recently spoke to him about his professional journey and how the University of Alberta’s MBA program in Shanghai has shaped his career, leadership style and vision for innovation.

From technical expert to strategic leader

Yuge Cai began his career as a technical expert, eventually transitioning into a leadership role. As he took on more management responsibilities, he recognized a common challenge in technical teams: an overemphasis on outcomes, often at the expense of how those outcomes are achieved.

Although company training and books offered some insights, he found them fragmented and lacking in structure. To truly level up his management skills — and gain a solid grounding in finance and strategy—he decided to pursue an MBA. After visiting the University of Alberta campus with his wife in 2018, he was impressed by the school’s environment and values. Ultimately, the University of Alberta MBA program in Shanghai offered the perfect blend of international perspective and domestic flexibility.

The role of technical experts in strategic decision making

Cai believes that technical experts are increasingly vital to business strategy since they not only understand emerging technologies but also bring critical insights to high-level decision-making.

During his program, the course Management of Technology & Innovation deeply resonated with him. “I discussed AI implementation with Professor Xu, who emphasized the importance of tailoring technology to regional markets — especially in China.”

On AI in the gaming industry, Cai says: “Gaming is often called the ‘ninth art’ because it blends tech and creativity. AI, unconstrained by human limitations, will push boundaries and create more immersive virtual worlds.”

Cai also found the Data Analysis & Decision Making course impactful. After class, his professor followed up by email with new insights and a willingness to continue the conversation. “That kind of proactive engagement left a lasting impression,” he says.

Applying knowledge to boost team performance 

Cai is passionate about putting theory into practice. During a finance course, he chose to analyze Microsoft’s acquisition of Blizzard — which he says was a timely case closely aligned with his industry. His in-depth research earned praise from his professor and gave him a new perspective on corporate mergers and acquisitions.

In a marketing course, Cai confronted a common misconception among technical teams: that good products don’t need promotion. “I realized that’s not entirely true,” he says. “We updated our department’s external messaging and service philosophy to better align with marketing principles.” He encouraged his team to consider marketing and operational thinking from the start of product design, which helped them enhance internal branding and competitiveness.

Innovation-driven leadership

A course on New Venture Creation helped Cai understand differing priorities for investors and entrepreneurs, and the varying perspectives within a company. 

“Although I’m not an entrepreneur I began to see myself as one within the company,” he says. “Viewing company leadership as ‘investors’ helped me frame departmental reports more strategically to secure resources and support.”

Innovation is a core part of Cai’s leadership style. He encourages his team to embrace new knowledge, explore diverse perspectives, and tackle global competition with creativity. His philosophy is simple: “If the process is right, the results will follow.”

This approach is paying off—three products developed by his team recently won NetEase Innovation Awards, a testament to their shared vision and hard work.

Advice for future MBA students: learn, practice, share

When asked what advice he’d give to others considering an MBA, Cai is clear: act on your interest. “Many people hesitate, but action is the most important step. MBA education shifts you from passive learning to active engagement — and you don’t have to be afraid of making mistakes in the classroom.”

Cai and his classmates regularly applied classroom concepts to their real-world work and shared results afterward, creating a collaborative learning environment that extended beyond the program.

For Cai, the true value of the MBA lies in three things: continuous learning, courage to practice and active communication. “In the University of Alberta MBA program, I didn’t just gain knowledge — I embraced a spirit of exploration. That mindset helped me break through career barriers and unleash the full potential of my team.”