Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) Vice President Tang Tao led a delegation to Paris to visit HEC Paris, an international business school established in 1881. He was joined by Zheng Chunmiao, Vice Provost (Global Strategies) and Director of the Global Engagement Office and Dean Liu Ke of the School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, as the deputation went to discuss exchanges and cooperation with HEC Paris.

The first stop was to speak to Dean Peter Todd of HEC Paris. Peter Todd welcomed the SUSTech delegation on their first visit to HEC Paris and briefed them on the development of HEC Paris, along with its recent achievements.

He said that SUSTech is an important partner of HEC Paris and hoped that the cooperation between the two institutions would become a successful example of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Tang Tao supported his comments, saying that SUSTech had developed substantially in recent years and that the advantages of the two universities would complement each other. He suggested that promoting the two universities together should start as soon as possible. They spoke about cooperating on joint training of graduate double degrees, innovation and entrepreneurship training.

HEC Paris invited Dean Jacques Olivier of Faculty and Research, Associate Dean Nathalie Lugagne of Executive Education, Associate Dean Francois Collin of International Affairs, Executive Director Inge Kerkloh-Devif of Executive Education, and Director Matthew Gibb of International Programming and Academic Partnerships to participate in the discussion. The Education Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Republic of France sent the first secretary Yan Li, second secretary Xu Zhejing, and third secretary Gu Jinyu to the meeting.

Later that day, the SUSTech delegation had a second meeting with HEC Officials. This meeting saw the SUSTech deputation meet with Executive Director Jean-Remi Gratadour of the HEC IDEA Center, HEC Associate Dean Marc Vanhuele, Academic Director Thomas Astebro of HEC Online Master in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and Associate Dean Kristine de Valck. They were also joined by Cathay Capital Chief Operating Officer Daniel Balmisse.

Both sides had a long discussion that covered topics of common interest such as innovation and entrepreneurship, online education, doctoral training, and how to improve teaching quality.

Founded in 1881 by the Paris Chamber of Commerce and Industry, HEC Paris specializes in education and research in management sciences. As a leading academic institution in Europe and worldwide, HEC Paris offers a complete and unique range of education programs for students and leaders. In June 2018, SUSTech and HEC Paris signed a strategic cooperation agreement witnessed by French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.