On August 25, 2024, the first-year students welcome gathering for HIT-emlyon BSc in Applied Data Science Program, a collaborative program between Harbin Institute of Technology and emlyon business school, was held in room 201 of the Activity Center at Harbin Institute of Technology Campus. Professor Isabelle HUAULT, Dean and Executive President of emlyon business school, delivered a video address to greet the students. Professor William WANG, Associate Dean of emlyon business school, Dean of emlyon business school Asia, and French Dean of Asia Europe Business School, together with WANG Jian, Dean of the School of Economics and Management and Deputy Party Secretary of Harbin Institute of Technology, were present and delivered welcome speeches.

▲Isabelle HUAULT, Executive President and Dean of emlyon business school

During the opening ceremony, Professor Isabelle HUAULT stated that the HIT-emlyon BSc in Applied Data Science Program aims to develop innovative, international talents, skilled in big data thinking and professional excellence. She emphasized the partnership's role in broadening students' academic horizons and expressed her sincere hope that students would value this educational opportunity. She encouraged them to not only grow through accumulating knowledge but also to broaden their thinking and gain insights through cross-cultural interactions.

▲William Hua WANG
Associate Dean of emlyon business school
Dean of emlyon business school Asia
French Dean of Asia Europe Business School

Professor William WANG inspired the students to “think outside the box” narrating an anecdote about a “box”, urging them to innovate and challenge themselves. By sharing a case study from a Stanford classroom, he emphasized the constraints of conventional thinking and the importance of overcoming them. He encouraged students to boldly explore and actively engage in their forthcoming university life, while reminding them about the exceptional educational resources and international outlooks provided by both institutions, that will robustly support them in becoming international talents.

▲Jian WANG Dean of The School of Economics and Management, Harbin Institute of Technology

On behalf of HIT, WANG Jian extended a warm welcome to the new students and passionately urged them to continually broaden their horizons, explore their personal interests, and find learning and development paths that suit them. He expressed his hope that the students would advance in tandem with both institutions, actively contributing to the cultivation of innovative international talents and to the advancement of higher education collaborations between the two countries.

▲Martine FERRY, Associate Dean of Undergraduates Studies

▲Gao Feiyi, Director of the International Cooperation Office at the School of Economics and Management at HIT

▲Nikola ZIVLAK
Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation emlyon business school
Academic Director, Undergraduate/Graduate programs emlyon business school Asia
Director of International Cooperation of emlyon business school Asia

Martine FERRY, Associate Dean of Undergraduates Studies emlyon business school, GAO Feiyi, Director of the International Cooperation Office at the School of Economics and Management at HIT, and Nikola ZIVLAK, Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation emlyon business school, Academic Director, Undergraduate/Graduate programs emlyon business school Asia, Director of International Cooperation of emlyon business school Asia also delivered welcome remarks.

▲Certificate of Appreciation of Corporate Mentor Award

During the ceremony, a letter of appreciation was presented to Ms. TIAN Ping, a corporate mentor at emlyon business school, who also serves as the General Manager of the Digital Government Affairs Business Department and Deputy General Manager of the Government and Enterprise Business Group at Heilongjiang Telecom.

The event brimmed with enthusiasm and dynamic performances. YANG Yang, representing the inaugural cohort of HIT-emlyon BSc in Applied Data Science Program, spoke on behalf of the students. The musical performances by the new students and the band elevated the energetic atmosphere in the room. LI Sicheng's rendition of “How Far I’ll Go”, ingeniously integrated with AI elements, delivered a novel auditory experience that merged music with technology. The band, featuring guitarist LIU Yuechen, keyboardist LI Sicheng, violinist LI Dongxu, drummer ZHOU Tianlin, and lead vocalist ZHENG Shida, soaked the HIT activity center with refreshed youthful vigor.

Representatives from emlyon business school Asia Campus and the School of Economics and Management attended the first-year students welcome gathering of the HIT-emlyon BSc in Applied Data Science Program.

The first-year students welcome gathering for the 2024 cohort of HIT-emlyon BSc in Applied Data Science Program concluded amidst joyous laughter and applause. Through inspiring speeches, creative performances, and insightful thematic discussions, participants experienced the fusion of education and technology, igniting boundless aspirations for the future.

As they embark on a university journey filled with opportunities and challenges, each new student is encouraged to fully leverage the outstanding educational resources offered by Harbin Institute of Technology and emlyon business school to maximize their potential. Whether engaged in academic research, extracurricular activities, or international exchanges, students are urged to explore boldly, innovate consistently, and embrace each new challenge with a positive outlook.

emlyon business school and Harbin Institute of Technology will deepen their collaboration, providing students with exceptional educational resources and extensive international exchange opportunities. By doing so, they aim to empower students to achieve outstanding successes, thereby fostering personal growth and contributing significantly to societal development.