Spring 2026 intake: more than 300 students join the Suzhou campus in January

The welcome morning opened with a speech by Matthieu Dumont, Director of the Suzhou campus. Drawing on his own career path, he spoke about win-win cooperation, the importance of timing, and the need to favour quality over quantity in professional experience. He also shared practical advice on daily life and studies in China, with a focus on adaptation and well-being.

Learning across cultures

Wenyu Dou, Academic Director of SKEMA China, then presented the learning environment awaiting students. He described a teaching approach built on crossing borders, intercultural exchange, strong links with practice, and openness to the best academic traditions. On the campus life side, members of the academic and student support teams introduced the faculty, student societies and campus life, as well as guidance and career services.

Entrepreneurship shared

Charlie Zhou, Manager of SKEMA Entrepreneurs in Suzhou, presented the resources and support schemes available to project leaders, drawing on his own experience as a student entrepreneur.

Alumni and professional networks

In the afternoon, alumni and partners took the floor. Gao Zeqi (SKEMA 2021), now Business Manager at the France–China Chamber of Commerce and Industry, shared his experience of building economic bridges between China and France. He encouraged students to develop a structured vision of business, intercultural skills, and smart use of networks.

Supporting the French-speaking community

Gauthier Avognon, Communications Director in Shanghai for the Association of French-speaking Students in China (AFEC), presented the association and its role in supporting students. He highlighted its work in helping with settling in China, discovering local culture, and making career choices. With this ceremony, the Suzhou campus sets the tone for a semester shaped by learning, exchange, and international experience.