In the crisp autumn air, accompanied by the fragrance of osmanthus, the opening ceremony for the EMBA (Sino-Foreign Cooperative Education) 2025 Fall Cohort of Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications (BUPT) and emlyon business school was grandly held on October 30, 2025, in the School of Economics and Management Building, BUPT. Driven by a passion for exploring business innovation, 45 elite managers committed to self-breakthrough gathered here to embark on a new journey of knowledge-seeking.

▲ Scenes from the Event

The ceremony was attended by Mark Jonathan SMITH, Vice President of emlyon business school; LU Jun, EMBA Academic Director of emlyon business school; ZHANG Weiwei, Director of Executive Education at emlyon business school; WANG Jing, Deputy Director of the EMBA Program at emlyon business school; WANG Yao, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange at BUPT; WANG Hongyuan, Party Secretary of the School of Economics and Management at BUPT; YAN Qiang, Dean of the School of Economics and Management at BUPT; SONG Yang, Deputy Party Secretary of the School of Economics and Management at BUPT; XIE Zhiyong, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management at BUPT; XU Guannan, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management at BUPT; LI Hongbing, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management at BUPT; FENG Xuesen, Student Representative from the emlyon North China Alumni Association; CHEN Guo, Student Representative from the current BUPT-emlyon EMBA program; and all students of the 2025 Fall Cohort. The opening ceremony was presided over by XIE Zhiyong, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management, BUPT.

At 9:10 AM, the opening ceremony officially commenced as all guests and new students stood solemnly for the national anthems of the French Republic and the People's Republic of China.

▲ The rendition of the national anthem

WANG Yao, Director of the BUPT Office of International Cooperation and Exchange, first extended a warm welcome to the guests and new students. She introduced BUPT as the first institution of higher education in posts and telecommunications in New China, which, with 70 years of profound heritage, has developed into a comprehensive research university with distinct characteristics in information technology, cultivating numerous leading talents for the nation's information and communication industry. She emphasized that the ongoing technological revolution and industrial transformation, accelerated by the reshaping power of new-generation information technologies, demand continuous learning and future leadership from entrepreneurs. She stressed that the EMBA program, collaboratively built by BUPT and emlyon business school, is dedicated to cultivating "Digital Intelligence Pioneers in the Maker Era," integrating high-quality resources and innovative concepts, highly aligning with the era's demand for innovative entrepreneurs. She encouraged the new students to cherish their learning time, aim high while staying grounded, and gain knowledge, friendship, and growth during their study journey, ultimately becoming the backbone driving industry development and leading social progress.

▲ WANG Yao, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange，BUPT

Mr. Mark Jonathan SMITH, Vice President of emlyon business school, first congratulated the launch of the new academic year for the BUPT - emlyon Global EMBA program and the 70th anniversary of BUPT. He then introduced the long history, academic strength, international accreditations, and the powerful network of over 48,000 alumni worldwide of emlyon business school. Vice President Smith pointed out that the program integrates BUPT's strengths in digital technology with emlyon's global perspective and entrepreneurial genes, upholding the "Maker Spirit," aiming to cultivate future leaders capable of navigating the complex relationships between data, technology, and humanity. He also introduced emlyon business school's 2030 strategic roadmap focusing on Leadership & Resilience, Tech Business School, and Global Impact, emphasizing the high alignment of the BUPT-emlyon Global EMBA program's mission with this strategy. Finally, he encouraged the new students to maintain curiosity, collaboration, and courage throughout the next two years of study, drive organizational change, create value for society, and truly "Make It Happen."

▲ Mr. Mark Jonathan SMITH, Vice President of emlyon business school

▲ XIE Zhiyong, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management, BUPT.

FENG Xuesen, representing the emlyon North China Alumni Association, shared his reflections. He recalled his two-year learning experience at the BUPT-emlyon EMBA, including classroom lectures, group discussions, corporate visits, competitions, forums, and alumni activities, scenes that remain vivid in his memory – experiences the new students will also encounter in the coming two years. He noted that in an era of rapid technological advancement, accelerated knowledge iteration, and the deep integration of cutting-edge technologies like AI into work and life, systematic learning is key for individuals and organizations to cope with challenges and continuously build energy. The BUPT-emlyon EMBA program, he stated, is the wise choice for all those unwilling to settle for the status quo. He concluded by wishing the 2025 Fall Cohort students great achievements and the fulfillment of their dreams in the next two years.

▲ FENG Xuesen, Representive of the emlyon North China Alumni Association

CHEN Guo, a student representative from the current 2024 EMBA Fall cohort, shared his experience. He expressed that in over a year of study, he has not only built a framework for business management thinking and mastered practical methods but also found companions for the journey forward, gaining composure and confidence. CHEN Guo highlighted that the program's AI course design helped him achieve a leap from tool proficiency to business implementation: applying this knowledge, he led his team to complete research in the field of multi-cancer prevention and control, gaining recognition at a top global conference. Furthermore, his experience participating in the Gobi Challenge allowed him to appreciate the true essence of leadership. He advised new students to embrace multiculturalism, value cross-domain collisions, treat every learning practice as an "experimental field," hone their abilities through the process, and honor themselves with the results, looking forward to meeting everyone in classrooms and on tracks.

▲ CHEN Guo, Student Representative from the Current EMBA Student

HU Wenli, the new student representative for the EMBA Class 2025 Fall, shared her career experience and learning expectations. As a professional in the commercial real estate industry, she witnessed its golden age and now faces the transformation challenges of traditional industries head-on. At a time when the industry needs new momentum and she personally needs a new breakthrough, she chose the BUPT-emlyon EMBA program, known for its focus on digital intelligence and AI empowerment, to recharge herself through knowledge iteration. For the next two years of study, she shared three key phrases to encourage her peers: "Immerse in Learning," "Engage in Open Dialogue," and "Apply with Focus." She looks forward to growing together with her classmates in the wave of digital and intelligent empowerment across various industries.

▲ HU Wenli, new student representative for the EMBA Class 2025 Fall

During the school badge conferring ceremony, leaders from both universities presented and pinned the school badges on the new students, who then collectively recited the matriculation pledge.

▲ School Badge Conferring Ceremony

▲ The Administration of the Matriculation Pledge

With this, the opening ceremony for the BUPT-emlyon business school EMBA 2025 Fall Cohort successfully concluded. In the learning days ahead, the new students will, under the joint cultivation of both institutions, be exposed to cutting-edge business theories, connect with high-quality industry resources, and meet like-minded companions. May everyone maintain their passion for knowledge, integrate the Maker Spirit into learning and practice, embrace new knowledge with an open mind, explore boundaries with an enterprising spirit, and lead the future as pioneers.