The emlyon business school 2025 Asia Carnival & Gala Dinner was grandly convened in Beijing, on May 15, 2025. Centered on the theme “AI Unbounded, Intelligence Ignites the Future”, the event brought together senior faculty members, students, alumni, and distinguished guests from various industries to celebrate the school's remarkable journey in Asia and to envision the boundless possibilities of an intelligence led future.

In this Carnival and Gala Dinner event, emlyon business school had the honor of welcoming several distinguished guests, gathering a remarkable group of individuals to celebrate the occasion. The event saw the full presence of the school’s leadership, including  President and Chairman of the Board of emlyon business school Prof. Isabelle HUAULT, Executive Vice President and Member of the Board Prof. Nicolas PEJOUT and Associate Dean of emlyon business school and Dean of the emlyon Asia Campus  Professor William Hua WANG.

The event also received strong support from corporate and institutional leaders, such as Senior Executive Director of Veolia (Taiwan) Asia Mr. Luc ZELLER, Founder and CEO of Start’In for Good, and Member of the emlyon Global Alumni Board Ms. Brigitte ZELLER, and President of Digital China Mr. Zhenkun CHEN. Other prominent guests included Chairman of Xingzhi Exploration Cultural Development Group and Co-chairman of the emlyon Eurasian Sports Industry Center Mr. Xiangdong QU, Vice President of the China Small and Medium Business Enterprises Association Mr. Tao NIU, and Secretary-General Mr. Yaguai SHEN. The event was also supported by President of the North China Student Alumni Association of emlyon Mr. Xuesen FENG, a representative from the beauty industry Ms. Lin SHI, Chairman of Wade Woods Mr. Qiang SHEN, Chairman of Xuanyuan Learning Ms. Xiaokun JIA, and Founder of Yanmei Bus and Executive Director of Gao Leng Sports Mr. Sheng WU.

The presence of academic leaders from Sino-French partner institutions further enriched the event. Notable attendees included Dean of the French Department of the Sino-French School of Engineering at Beihang University Mr. Adnane BOUKAMEL, and Professors Kexuan LIU, Yongze ZHANG, Changle YAN, and Chuang ZHANG from the School of Economics and Management at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications. Other academic figures included Associate Dean of the School of Management at Beijing Sport University Mr. Shengxin LI, Advisor to the Asia Campus of emlyon Prof. Hua LIN, Professors Wenxuan DING and  Zhenhe ZHAO from emlyon business school, Director of the EE Program Mr. Jason ZHANG, Director of the DBA Program Prof. Tianran YIN, Director of Admissions and Operations for the Master’s and Bachelor’s programs at the Asia Campus Mr. Joniko CAO, Vice Director of Alumni, Corporate Relations, and Career Services at emlyon Asia Campus Ms. Peng Peng, and Academic Director of Master’s and Bachelor’s Programs and Director of International Cooperation at emlyon Asia Campus Prof. Nikola Zivlak.

The gathering of such a prestigious group of guests highlighted the strong global alumni network and collaborative partnerships of emlyon business school. It also demonstrated the school’s dedication to advancing Sino-French educational exchanges and its influential role in integrating AI with business education.

As an international business school with a glorious history of over 150 years, emlyon has consistently demonstrated visionary thinking and resilient action in exploring the frontiers of global business education. In recent years, the institution has accelerated its globalization efforts, deepened its development strategy in Asia, integrated cutting-edge educational philosophies with the region's dynamic economic ecosystem, and nurtured generations of future leaders who embody a global perspective, innovative spirit, and strong sense of social responsibility. This Carnival and Gala Dinner was not only a warm annual reunion but also an inspiring educational celebration that fostered shared values, ignited ideas, and co-created the future.

The event was made possible with generous support from Mobi Garden, Chateau Haut-Bourcié, Hengshui Laobaigan, Jiantou Lanyue and Jinmailang Mineral Water.

Enlightening the Future · Shining a New Path

Amid stunning lights and music, the 2025 Asia Carnival and Gala Dinner officially kicked off with a fashion show full of energy and creativity. Faculty, students, and alumni from all corners of the world lit up the stage, radiating the confident and courageous spirit of emlyon makers. The EMBA 2023 Spring cohort set the tone for the evening with a spectacular performance “Infinite Horizons Light Show”, blending technology and imagination into an immersive journey that bridged the real and the virtual.

Following this, Professor Isabelle Huault, President of the Executive Board and Dean of emlyon business school, delivered an inspiring and heartfelt address. She began by expressing her sincere gratitude to all guests for attending the emlyon Asia Carnival and Gala Dinner, and highlighted that every step of the School’s development is deeply imprinted with the steadfast support of those present.

She remarked: "We have not only forged connections spanning Asia, France, and various global sectors, but have also exemplified an entrepreneurial spirit grounded in lifelong learning and continuous exploration. We have embraced innovation in our approach to experiential learning—an endeavor enriched by the collective wisdom of our academic partners. In this era of rapid advances in artificial intelligence, may we continue to move forward together, standing at the forefront of innovation and our time.”

Amid waves of applause and loud cheering, the EMBA 2023 Fall cohort brought the house down with a dynamic percussion performance titled “Fluorescent Drum Fantasy: Rhapsody of the Night”. With a pulsating rhythm and trancelike glows, the show symbolized the creativity and unity of the younger generation — beating in tune with current times, while knocking on the doors of tomorrow.

As the pulsating glow of lights and rhythmic drumbeats reached their climax,  President of the Executive Board and Dean of emlyon business school Professor Isabelle Huault, Executive Vice-President and Board Member Professor Nicolas Pejout, Associate Dean of emlyon business school and Dean of the emlyon Asia Campus  Professor William Hua WANG, Senior Executive Director of Veolia (Taiwan) Asia Mr. Luc ZELLER, Founder and CEO of Start’In for Good and President of the emlyon Global Alumni Association Ms. Brigitte Zeller,  and President of the North China Student and Alumni Association Mr. Feng Xuesen.

The six distinguished guests jointly delivered remarks, expressing their shared hopes for the future and reaffirming their commitment to international collaboration and academic excellence. They then raised their crystal glasses in a celebratory toast at center stage—where radiant lights and collective aspirations converged, illuminating a united vision for the future.

Digital Synergy · Insights into the Future

As the digital tide surges forward, the boundaries of education are constantly being redefined. A major highlight of the evening was the global debut of emlyon’s first multilingual digital humanoid. A digital twin of Dean William Hua WANG projected onto the main screen greeted the audience fluently in six languages — Chinese, English, French, Spanish, German, and Vietnamese — eliciting rounds of applause from the bedazzled audience. This innovation was more than just a technological showcase; it reflected a bold exploration of the evolution of educational frontiers and knowledge dissemination.

Immediately afterward, Dean William Hua Wang took to the stage. He shared that the true value of digital technologies lies not in replacing humanity, but in empowering us with enhanced capacities for perception, expression, and connection. He emphasized, “True education is about awakening, empowering, and inspiring—it is about helping individuals navigate uncertainty with confidence and purpose.”

In his view, the theme “AI Unbounded, Intelligence Ignites the Future” is more than a technological proposition; it represents an evolving vision of the future. Only when intelligence is integrated with responsibility, and innovation thrives in tandem with collaboration, can the future be genuinely worth anticipating.

After a series of thought provoking messages from the senior faculty team, it was time for art to take center stage. The EMBA 2024 Fall cohort performed a mesmerizing Sichuan opera face-changing act titled “Face of Business: A Sichuan Opera Performance in May” blending the agility and dexterity of traditional Chinese opera with a metaphor for the shifting dynamics of the business world.

Shared Bonds · Journey Onward

With the lights dimmed and the atmosphere of the ballroom tranquil, a short video transitioned the festivities of the evening to its third segment, transporting the audience to the stunning Lyon campus in France to relive the solemn graduation ceremony of the EMBA students. Moments of pride, along with emotional memories came rushing back, as the graduates reminisced their incredible learning journey.

The Global EMBA Class of 2022 Spring, 2022 Fall and 2023 Spring enthralled everyone with a musical medley “Have We Grown Up?” Accompanied by a montage of their cherished EMBA memories — classroom debates, project teamwork, lively forums, joyful gatherings, and spirited competitions — the performance paid tribute to the past while embracing the future. Though they all came from different backgrounds, they are now headed for the stars, their stories still unfolding.

Awakening the Golden Lion · Leading a New Chapter

When innovation meets the spirit of the era, honor naturally follows. One of the most anticipated segments of the evening, the Golden Lion Awards Ceremony, celebrated individuals and organizations that have led the charge in the era of digital intelligence. The “Golden Lion Award for Innovation in Digital Intelligence” was the first accolade of the evening, recognizing enterprises that excel in digital transformations. This was followed by the “Golden Lion Award for AI-Driven Digital Intelligence”, honoring outstanding projects that drive real-world industry change through AI implementation.

The “Golden Lion Award for Digital Intelligence Industry Experts” paid tribute to professionals who drive deep industrial innovation and technological integration across sectors. And the “Golden Lion Award for Leaders in Digital Transformation” went to executives who have steered their organizations through digital change with foresight and courage. Finally, the “Golden Lion Award for Excellence in Business and Leadership Transformation” celebrated competition winners and contributors who have led by example in digital case studies and leadership development. Senior leaders and professors from emlyon business school and Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications jointly presented these honors.

The euphoria and festivities of the night continued with the Alumni Awards Ceremony. The Annual Alumni Association Award, Best Club Award, and Excellence in Contribution Award were presented in succession, celebrating outstanding emlyon graduates who have quietly cultivated strong alumni communities over the years.

The EMBA Spring 2024 cohort then performed a heartfelt rendition of “Time Machine,” bringing the segment to a close, while symbolizing the unending spirit of legacy and the journey ahead.

Stars over the Gobi · Dreams without Borders

The vast Gobi Desert bears witness to every dream and every stride of brave warriors; the ancient Silk Road continues to echo that enduring belief. The “Xuanzang Road Business School Gobi Challenge” is a challenge of teamwork, endurance, and spirit — a remarkable annual event that draws dozens of spirited teams from top global business schools to the precarious landscapes of Dunhuang.

In the grand finale of the evening, emlyon business school held a solemn certificate and flag presentation ceremony for the Gobi Alumni Association. The segment began with a powerful video showcasing highlights from the Gobi Challenge—its stirring imagery instantly transporting the audience back to that land where ideals and willpower were tested and ignited.

Ms. Zhang Rongwu, Vice President of the emlyon Alumni Association and President of the Gobi Club, then took the stage to unveil the brand-new “Gobi 20” expedition flag, along with the design concept behind it. She delivered an inspiring call for more students and alumni to join the journey and continue writing new chapters of glory.

Dean William Hua Wang and EMBA Program Director Ms. Zhang Weiwei then joined her on stage, raising the “Gobi 20” flag high in a powerful gesture of unity and determination. At that moment, conviction was reignited, and the starlight over the Gobi Desert once again illuminated the path of generations of emlyon Makers—encouraging them to forge ahead through challenges and to rediscover their truest selves in the course of their journey.

As the sparkling evening drew to a close, the glow of lights and echoes of laughter lingered in everyone’s hearts. The 2025 Asia Carnival and Gala Dinner was more than a celebration of memories and achievements — it sparked renewed conviction and hope for the journey ahead. AI Unbounded, Intelligence Ignites the Future — emlyon business school will continue to walk alongside its Makers, crafting new chapters in the tides of our time. May we all carry hope and belief, shine brightly from wherever we are, and quietly light up the path for one another from afar.