On August 28, 2025, the opening ceremony of the emlyon business school Asian Campus Semester (ACS) Fall 2025 was held at the Putuo Campus of East China Normal University (ECNU).

This semester, a total of 205 students officially joined the Asian Campus, marking a record high in recent years. They come from the

• Global BBA Year 2
• Global BBA Year 4
• Grande École-Master in Management
• Exchange students from Ton Duc Thang University (TDTU), Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

About 85% of the students are from France, while the rest represent Vietnam, Peru, Spain, Côte d’Ivoire, Colombia, Serbia, Morocco, Romania, and Kazakhstan, showcasing a truly diverse and international profile.

The ceremony was graced by the presence of officials from the Consulate General of France in Shanghai, Campus France, leaders of ECNU, corporate partners, and emlyon alumni, who all came together to witness the start of a new semester.

Guest Speeches | Insights on Learning, Growth, and the Future

During the ceremony, several distinguished guests delivered speeches, sharing their expectations and encouragement for students in areas ranging from international cooperation and academic exploration to career development and cultural experiences.

▲ Mr. Joan VALADOU, Consul General of France in Shanghai

Mr. Joan VALADOU, Consul General of France in Shanghai, emphasized the long-standing tradition of strong educational and cultural exchanges between China and France. He expressed his delight in seeing so many French and international students gathered in Shanghai, encouraging everyone to take full advantage of their time in China to broaden their international horizons and experience the richness of cultural diversity.

▲ Mr. Guoyue SHI, Vice-president of ECNU

Mr. Guoyue SHI, Vice President of East China Normal University, reviewed the long-term cooperation between ECNU and emlyon. He expressed great joy in welcoming an increasing number of international students to ECNU and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to expanding international collaboration. He warmly wished every student an enriching learning experience at ECNU.

▲ Prof. William Hua WANG, Associate Dean of emlyon, Dean of emlyon Asia, French Dean of Asia Europe Business School

Prof. William Hua WANG, Vice President of emlyon business school, Dean of emlyon Asia, and French Dean of the Sino-European School of Technology, extended a warm welcome to all students choosing the Asian Campus. He highlighted the diversity of the student body and illustrated China’s rapid development with the example of over 13 million new energy vehicles sold per year, encouraging students to seize the opportunity to explore China’s unique dynamics in culture, business, and technology, and to cultivate a global mindset for the future.

▲ Ms. Lisa LI, Sr. Vice president, Country Head, People & Organization, Novartis China

Ms. Lisa LI, Senior Vice president, Country Head, People & Organization, Novartis China, encouraged students to seize every opportunity to learn and engage during their Asian Semester. She stressed the importance of observing, listening, and reflecting, so as to enhance both their learning ability and future competitiveness in the job market.

▲ Prof. Nikola Zivlak, Academic Director, Undergraduate/Graduate programs, Director of International Cooperation, emlyon Asia

Prof. Nikola Zivlak, Academic Director, Undergraduate/Graduate programs, Director of International Cooperation, emlyon Asia, delivered a video message. He emphasized that this semester will not only challenge students academically, but will also offer invaluable cultural and professional experiences. He encouraged students to embrace the journey with an open mindset.

▲ Mr. Joniko CAO, Director of Asia Recruitment and Operation, emlyon Asia

Mr. Joniko CAO, Director of Asia Recruitment and Operation, emlyon Asia, congratulated students on joining the Shanghai campus. He stressed that studying here would not only bring strong academic results, but also offer new lifestyles and practical experiences. He encouraged students to explore boldly and take on new challenges throughout the semester.

▲ Mr. Alexis Horcholle, Alumni of PGE, class of 2012, Founder of Perceval International

Finally, as an alumni representative, Mr. Alexis Horcholle, Founder of Perceval International, shared his experience of studying and interning in China. He advised students aspiring to pursue professional opportunities in China to remain humble, embrace cultural differences, take the initiative to learn Mandarin, and build their own networks. His insights provided valuable inspiration for the incoming cohort.

Learning in Asia, Connecting with the World

This opening ceremony was not only the start of a new academic semester, but also the beginning of an exciting journey. With 205 students from across the globe, the Asian Campus in Shanghai offers a unique opportunity to immerse in Chinese culture, business practices, and cross-cultural exchanges with ECNU peers, while exploring career opportunities in China.

In the months ahead, we look forward to seeing students face challenges with courage, grow through action and reflection, and continuously expand their horizons at emlyon Asian Campus. May your experience here bring not only knowledge and skills, but also the vision and strength to connect the world and lead the future.