18:00 May 12, 2025, the 2025 "emlyon Night", hosted by the emlyon Alumni Club, saw its brilliant inauguration at the Cloud Cellar Bar on 87.5th floor, Shanghai Jinmao Tower. Participants in the event included Ms. Carla HAID, officer of the French Consulate General in Shanghai; Mr Olivier Perez, director of Campus France Shanghai; Professor Isabelle HUAULT, Executive President & Dean of emlyon business school; Professor Nicolas PEJOUT, Executive Vice President and Executive Board Member; Professor William Hua WANG, Dean of emlyon Asia and French Dean of Asia Europe Business School, East China Normal University; Mr. Jiaxun HE, Chinese Dean of Asia Europe Business School, East China Normal University; along with alumni, partners, faculty, and students from around the world, gathering to envision “Resonance 2028.”

PART 1 Opening Speech|Pooling Strength from Global Alumni

Ms. Peng PENG, Associate Director of Alumni, Corporate Relations and Career Services of emlyon business school Asia, delivered a warm welcoming speech to the guests and alumni present, emphasizing that the alumni network is the "cornerstone" of students' career development. Subsequently, Ms. Carla HAID, officer of the French Consulate General in Shanghai, Professor Isabelle HUAULT, Executive President & Dean of emlyon business school, and Professor Nicolas PEJOUT, Executive Vice President and Executive Board Member, were invited to deliver speeches.

▲ Ms. Peng Peng, Associate Director of Alumni, Corporate Relations, and Career Services at emlyon business school Asia

Ms. Carla HAID, officer of the French Consulate General in Shanghai delivered a welcoming speech. She congratulated the educational cooperation between two countries, and highly praised the School’s deep engagement in China by using language and culture as a bridge. She emphasized that future cooperation should concentrate on innovation, environmental protection, education, and people-to-people exchange, and commended the guests present as important promoters of cross-cultural collaboration. Ms. HAID expressed her belief that, in the new era of China-France and China-Europe relations, the cooperation between France and China will continue to deepen and achieve greater success.

▲ Ms. Carla HAID, officer of the Consulate General of France in Shanghai

Professor Isabelle HUAULT, Executive President & Dean of emlyon business school, explained the School's "Resonance 2028" strategy in her speech, emphasizing that the School's development will be driven by five pillars: academic excellence, entrepreneurial spirit, and social responsibility, among others. The goal is to cultivate business talents who are Makers with global perspectives and innovative capabilities. She also acknowledged the outstanding achievements of Asia Europe Business School over the past decade as a model of Sino-French educational cooperation, including innovations in disciplines and international integration. She called on global alumni to join hands with the School to build an open and diverse academic ecosystem, and to continuously create value in academia, industry, and social responsibility.

▲ Professor Isabelle HUAULT, Executive President & Dean of emlyon business school

Professor Nicolas PEJOUT, Executive Vice President and Executive Board Member of emlyon business school, reiterated the development and contributions of the alumni network in his speech. In his speech, he announced that the new board members of the alumni network will seek a deeper synergy between alumni resources and the school’s “Resonance 2028” strategy. He especially stressed the role of alumni foundation as a vital platform in supporting student development and promoting social equity.

He called on alumni in China to proactively participate in donations and mentor programs to collectively implement the School’s mission in social responsibility, which will allow the “Light of emlyon” to illuminate the development paths of more individuals. Focusing on the strength of alumni, he unveiled new initiatives from the alumni foundation and called on Chinese alumni to collaborate in fostering student development and working together towards a future of social equity and environmental sustainability.

▲ Professor Nicolas PEJOUT, Executive Vice President and Executive Board Member of emlyon business school

PART 2 Mentorship Ceremony|Industry-Academia Collaboration Cultivating Talents

The Asia Europe Business School (AEBS), a new-type international business institution created in partnership between emlyon business school and East China Normal University, primarily developing versatile, practical and adaptable business leaders with global perspectives. Through two-way faculty exchanges and a corporate mentor program, the school has built a bridge connecting academia and industry, which fully reflects the School's characteristics of diversity and inclusiveness. AEBS has become an important platform promoting Sino-French educational cooperation and business innovation. When the 10th anniversary of AEBS is round the corner，we specially invited Ms. Yang WANG, visiting professor of emlyon business school, Deputy Director of the Global Human Resources and Organizational Innovation Centre, and a 2024 Global DBA doctoral student; Mr. Guoxin QIAN, founder of VHR Talent Group and a 2019 Global DBA doctoral student; and Mr. Qiang WANG, Vice President of Global Supply Chain of Schneider Electric and a 2019 Global DBA doctoral student; Dr. Hui CHEN, visiting professor of emlyon business school and organizational development expert of Henkel Group, to serve as corporate mentors who will provide practical guidance to students.

An on-site certificate awarding ceremony for the corporate mentors of Asia Europe Business School was held, with certificates presented by Professor Isabelle HUAULT, Executive President & Dean of emlyon business school; Professor Nicolas PEJOUT, Executive Vice President and Executive Board Member; Professor William Hua WANG, Associate Dean of emlyon and Dean of emlyon Asia; and Mr. Jiaxun HE, Executive Dean of the Shanghai International School of Chief Technology officer, East China Normal University. Students of the Asia Europe Business School were also invited to the event and to take group photos to commemorate the occasion.

Ella TAYLOR, an Irish student from the 2021 BBA intake, said that she was very happy to attend the 2025 "emlyon Night." She particularly appreciated emlyon the School's forward-looking curriculum, which integrates innovation, artificial intelligence, and career development. She firmly believes that the School is fully capable of preparing students to meet emerging industrial trends.

ZAW YE HTET, a male student from Myanmar in the 2024 BBA intake, expressed that it is rewarding to participate in the 2025 "emlyon Night" and engage with professors on the topic of "Education and Youth Mission in the Context of Globalization". He believed that young people should possess a "global mindset" and interdisciplinary thinking, while maintaining curiosity and the drive to take action.

Christine CHEN, a female student from Indonesia in the 2023 MIB intake, enjoyed a lively conversation with her mentor during the event and felt the warmth of the School’s interpersonal network. She stated that the discussions on leadership in the AI era were very meaningful, and she also praised her classmates for their excellence.

Polina MALIIUTINA, a female student from Russia in the 2024 MIB intake, said that 2025 "emlyon Night" left a strong impression on her, especially the AEBS mentor pairing ceremony. By making new friends, she broadened her horizon and was inspired by the school’s collaboration plans, which clarified her future goals.

Following the conclusion of the certification awarding ceremony, the cocktail reception commenced, with soothing music and the cheerful sound of champagne glasses clinking. Alumni reconnected, reminiscing about their campus experiences while enjoying exquisite food and drinks, sharing career insights, and discussing potential collaboration opportunities.

This evening, bridging countries and blending East and West, not only brought a perfect close to the 2025 "emlyon Night", but also turned a new chapter of alumni friendship and university-enterprise cooperation. We look forward to gathering again this time next year to continue writing the brilliant future of emlyon business school!