Adam Smith

Professor Graeme Roy, Assistant Vice Principal at the University of Glasgow and Dean of the Adam Smith Business School, recently delivered a guest lecture at Nankai University to mark the 250th anniversary of Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations.

Hosted by Nankai University’s School of Economics, the lecture - titled “Adam Smith and The Wealth of Nations: A Reflection 250 Years On”- was attended by academic staff, postgraduate students, and senior colleagues from across the university.

Professor Roy highlighted the long‑standing partnership between the University of Glasgow and Nankai University before exploring Adam Smith’s connection to Glasgow and the continued relevance of Smith’s ideas. He examined themes including division of labour, cooperation, and Smith’s broader understanding of wealth as social welfare rather than material accumulation, linking these ideas to contemporary global challenges.

A Q&A session followed, covering topics such as higher education, interpretations of Smith’s work, and the relevance of his thought in the age of artificial intelligence. Professor Roy emphasised the importance of reading The Wealth of Nations alongside The Theory of Moral Sentiments to fully understand Smith’s moral and economic philosophy.

The visit forms part of ongoing academic engagement between the University of Glasgow and Nankai University, supporting international collaboration in teaching and research.