Representatives from SKEMA, the executive board, business and academic partners, staff, alumni and current students attended the event.
Before the banquet, a press conference was organised for the Chinese media. SKEMA dean Alice Guilhon talked about the reasons why China was chosen as one of the campus locations and the importance of the school’s presence in the country.
Christophe Lauras, president of the France-China Chamber of Commerce (CCI France Chine), gave the opening speech for the evening with Jean-Maurice Ripert, ambassador for France in China. Alice Guilhon and Patrice Houdayer, director of programmes, international and student life, also gave a speech to celebrate SKEMA’s 10-year anniversary in China.
After this, a special awards ceremony took place to congratulate those who have played a key role in SKEMA’s success in China over the last 10 years. To conclude the ceremony, the whole SKEMA community present at the event took to the stage to cut a cake that had been specially prepared for the occasion.
The theme for this year’s gala organised by CCI France Chine was “Generation W - Celebrating women in business”. Awards were presented for recognising and thanking business women who have made exceptional contributions to the Franco-Chinese partnership through their actions, vision and support. Alice Guilhon was given the Women of Excellence (“Femmes d’excellence”) award by the ambassador for France in China for her special contribution to Franco-Chinese higher education. The evening then continued with a fashion and jewellery show, as well as a private concert from the popular singer TAL.
SKEMA campus in Suzhou today
SKEMA’s Suzhou campus in China is one of the main elements of its worldwide strategy and was the first international campus of the school. It was opened in 2009 and symbolised the launch of SKEMA’s global positioning strategy.
Every year, around 800 students come from all across the world to the Suzhou campus to explore China’s culture and economy. Likewise, around 500 Chinese students study at other SKEMA campuses to discover the world of business and new managerial trends.