On the morning of October 19th, the opening ceremony of the EMBA (Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education) Class of 2023 Fall Program by Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT) and emlyon business school was grandly held at the BUPT School of Economics and Management multi-functional hall. Students from various professions gathered here together, as they embarked on a new journey and chapter in their careers.

Anne-Laure SCHWARTZ, Assistant Dean for Quality, Accreditation and Ranking of emlyon business school; William Hua WANG, Associate Dean of emlyon business school and Dean of emlyon Asia; KOOPMAN MARTIN Marjolaine, Chef de Projet Learning Expeditions of emlyon business school; Dongmei WU, Professor of Management Practice, emlyon Asia, BUPT alumni, and Senior Vice President, Dell Technologies; Jason ZHANG, Director of Executive Education Programs (EMBA、MBA、EDP), emlyon Asia; Alice WANG, Associate Director of EMBA Program, emlyon Asia; Yue DU, Deputy Director of International Cooperation and Exchange Division, BUPT; Wei HE, Dean of School of Economics and Management, BUPT; Fan YANG, Director of EMBA Program, School of Economics and Management, BUPT; Kejian LIU, Representative of current GEMBA students and all students from the Class of 2023 Fall Program attended this opening ceremony. The ceremony was hosted by Zhiyong XIE, Associate Dean of School of Economics & Management, BUPT.

The opening ceremony began solemnly with the playing of the national anthems of the France and China.

▲Zhiyong XIE, Associate Dean of School of Economics & Management, BUPT

▲ Wei HE, Dean of School of Economics and Management, BUPT

Professor Wei HE, Dean of School of Economics and Management, BUPT, warmly welcomed all attending guests and new students to begin the ceremony. In his speech, he emphasized the importance of a strong undergraduate education being the foundation of an outstanding university, and top-notch graduate education representing its peak. “Excellent students, when brought together, can spark unique insights”, said Prof. Wei He.

He mentioned that Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications has always upheld the spirit of "spreading postal messages across thousands of miles and being in sync with the nation's pulse," forming an educational landscape characterized by a strong background in information technology, distinct disciplinary advantages, and distinctive educational practices. The university has made significant contributions to the development of China's information and communication industry. The School of Economics and Management at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, which was established at the same time as the university, is renowned as the “cradle of IT management elites”.

The EMBA program, jointly delivered by Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications and emlyon business school, adheres to the mission of cultivating "globalized early makers in the digital age" and brings together top-tier faculty and quality research achievements from both institutions. The program deeply integrates innovative awareness, internet thinking, and entrepreneurial spirit into its curriculum system and training process, aiming to enhance strategic decision-making, leadership, and international perspectives of senior managers.

He stated that the school will strive to create favorable conditions to enhance students' growth from every angle, assisting students in their journey from excellence to distinction. In conclusion, Dean HE sincerely hoped that everyone will join hands in writing a new legend for BUPT, China's “Whampoa Military Academy” of information technology.

▲ Anne-Laure SCHWARTZ, Assistant Dean of emlyon business school

In her speech, Anne-Laure SCHWARTZ, Assistant Dean of emlyon business school, emphasized how traditional business operating models are facing severe disruptive forces in the digital age. The pace of change in the digital era surpasses imagination, and the call for innovative thinkers has never been louder. Companies now require managers with greater foresight, creativity, and a broad perspective.

She mentioned that emlyon business school is one of the oldest business schools in Europe and a pioneer in the field of entrepreneurial spirit and leadership development. It's also among the 1% of business schools worldwide that have received triple accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS, and AMBA.

In 2012, with the approval of China's Ministry of Education and the Academic Degree Committee of the State Council, emlyon business school collaborated with Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, often regarded as the “Whampoa Military Academy” in China's electronics and information technology domains, to launch a global EMBA program focused on the integration of theory and practice in digital transformation.

The aim is to cultivate entrepreneurs and senior executives in the digital transformation era with global perspectives and an “early maker” spirit, enhancing their strategic decision-making, innovative thinking, and international leadership. She emphasized that the journey ahead is not just about acquiring knowledge but also about shifting mindsets and bravely embracing a future full of possibilities.

▲Dongmei WU, Senior Vice President, Dell Technologies and Professor of Management Practice at emlyon business school

Dongmei WU, Senior Vice President, Dell Technologies, and Professor of Management Practice at emlyon business school, warmly welcomed all the new students and delivered the program’s inaugural lecture on the topic "Technological Innovation: Reshaping Enterprises and Talent". She pointed out that the School of Economics and Management at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, known as the “Whampoa Military Academy” boasts of a strong faculty, distinguished alumni, and practical curriculum.

She mentioned that in a VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) era, innovation has become paramount. Technological innovation is reshaping enterprise management, business development, and talent growth. Research has proven that companies who integrate innovation with their IT departments, and apply data analysis to digital decision making, have outperformed the industry standard.

Companies must continuously enhance their innovation and digital resilience, through the fusion of data and reality, to better adapt to uncertainties brought about by the digital age. Digital transformation is becoming the new engine driving innovative development. Only by embracing change and seeking transformation, can companies achieve long-term stability.

Lastly, she sincerely congratulated all the new students on their enrollment and expressed her hope that they embark on a new journey in life, becoming industry leaders in their future careers.

▲ Kejian LIU, Representative of Current EMBA Students

In his talk, Kejian LIU, representative of current EMBA students, mentioned that an EMBA is not just a degree, but the cultivation of an attitude and spirit of constantly pursuing excellence and pushing oneself to the limit. He expressed that while exploring life, everyone should set long-term goals, make detailed plans for them, be brave in challenging themselves, unite and cooperate, complement each other's strengths, and work hard together.

Standing at a new historical bedrock, embracing emerging changes, they should continue to explore their potential and realize their value through learning and innovation. He ended with a message of hope, that all students of the Class of 2023 Fall Program could persevere until the clouds clear and the moon shines, continuously pursue excellence, and together create a bright future.

▲Hao ZHANG, Representative of the new students of the EMBA Class of 2023 Fall Program

Hao ZHANG, representing the new students of the EMBA (Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education) Class of 2023 Fall Program, also addressed the gathering. In his speech, he pointed out that the digital economy and digital transformation have become important national strategies. Standing at a new historical juncture, choosing to join the Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications and emlyon business school EMBA program carries profound significance.

Over the next two years of study, students should maintain a beginner's mindset and a determination to overcome challenges, strike a balance between study, life, and work, and dedicate time and energy to their education. They should adapt to the teaching styles of their instructors, integrate real-work situations, enhance their strategic thinking abilities, and continually improve their principled, systematic, anticipatory, and creative work approaches.

The journey may be long and challenging, but with determination, everyone can reach their goals. He looks forward to starting anew, embarking on a new chapter, and achieving greater personal growth alongside his outstanding classmates.

The leaders of both schools pinned badges on the new students. With the resounding and steadfast oath of the freshmen, the opening ceremony of the BUPT and emlyon business school EMBA (Chinese-Foreign Cooperative Education) Class of 2023 Fall Program came to a successful conclusion.

May the students of the Class of 2023 Fall Program pursue knowledge, refine themselves, envision the future, and thrive towards new horizons!