Message From CEIBS President Zhu Xiaoming


Dear CEIBS Community:

        Two months have passed since the 8.0 earthquake rocked Sichuan province, causing serious damage throughout Western China. In the weeks since, the entire nation, and indeed the world, has mourned deeply for the over 80,000 killed, almost 380,000 injured, and millions made homeless by China's most serious quake in almost 30 years. After the earthquake, the entire nation stood united to fight against the disaster and rebuild the homeland, representing the unyielding and indomitable spirit of the Chinese nation.

        The feelings of shock and grief were felt deeply throughout the CEIBS community. Immediately after the disastrous earthquake, those in the extended school network took action to help with disaster relief in the quake-hit areas. To date, over RMB1.5 million has been collected on campus and contributed to the Shanghai Red Cross for the Relief of Earthquake Victims. All told, the combined donations from alumni, students, faculty and staff within the CEIBS community - including the companies of CEIBS alumni - totals RMB2 billion.

        Looking back on the past eight weeks, many glowing examples of active volunteerism, selfless assistance, and brave contribution shine in my mind. Let me share just a few stellar examples of how CEIBS has embraced and supported earthquake relief:

        Many of our alumni and students traveled to the quake-hit areas in person to participate in the rescue efforts as volunteers. On May 14, EMBA 2006 classmates Ren Tao and Wang Lingjiang flew from Shanghai to Sichuan to spend one week delivering medicine and offering assistance to the rescue teams. After returning to Shanghai on May 20, they briefed me on the disastrous situation through the photos they took in the quake-struck zone.

        Altogether 12 alumni from the Diploma in Hospital Management Programme donated their expertise and time to perform emergency medical services. Among them, alumni Zhang Ling and Sun Yunbo, both vice presidents of their respective hospitals in Chongqing and Qingdao, led teams of medics directly to earthquake-impacted zones. They raced against time, day and night, to save lives following the disaster. These conscientious professionals have shared their diary accounts of their work in this edition of The LINK.

        Those in the extended CEIBS family organized hundreds of other efforts as well. I myself was proud to participate in a June 1 Children's Day Special Auction for the quake victims, organized by CEIBS alumni companies, the Alumni Relations Office and all participants in the CEIBS' AMP6 class. More than 300 participants gathered for a creative mix of auctions and performances which raised a highly impressive RMB1.3 million within just three hours. The funds will be used to construct a new CEIBS Hope Primary School in the disaster area. We are also grateful to the Shanghai Children's Health Foundation who will manage the funds collected without charging an administration fee.

        I am also proud that the CEIBS community has incorporated earthquake relief into its normal planned activities, making our social responsibilities truly part of our daily work. For example, at the CEIBS Alumni Association's 2008 Mobile Classroom event, the school presented three days of lectures and events for alumni and students in Henan from May 31 to June 1. The event culminated with a fundraising drive in which CEIBS alumni and their companies donated RMB41 million to victims of the Sichuan Earthquake.

        One of the most creative assistance efforts was the CEIBS Alumni Drama Club's staging of the original drama "C380", which left the audience demanding a repeat showing, it also raised RMB19,000 for the quake assistance.

        I believe CEIBS students and graduates must not focus only on being leaders in business but also on being excellent leaders in social responsibility. The deep love demonstrated by the CEIBS community in their rescue efforts has convinced me that we at CEIBS should be proud of our heart-felt, active, and innovative efforts to assist the earthquake victims.

        Going forward, let us resolve to continue developing and delivering effective and innovative solutions for the earthquake recovery, and other worthy social causes. By shouldering more social responsibilities, we can help to build a harmonious society, to promote China's social development and progress, and to improve the welfare of the Chinese people.