March 9, 2010. CEIBS Lujiazui International Finance Research Centre, Shanghai -- More than 60 members of the Chinese and international media attended a press conference in the CEIBS Lujiazui International Finance Research Centre (CLFC)  today as CEIBS welcomed the Former EU Commission President and Former Italian Prime Minister His Excellency Romano Prodi. Mr. Prodi has begun a one-year professorship at CEIBS.

Former EU Commission President and Former Italian Prime Minister His Excellency Romano Prodi. Mr. Prodi 

In the opening speech, CEIBS Vice President and Co-Dean Prof. Zhang Weijiong warmly welcomed Mr. Prodi’s arrival, saying, “Mr. Prodi, a renowned economist boasting extensive and international social management experience, will bring new vitality and relevance to CEIBS.”

CEIBS Vice President and Co-Dean Prof. Zhang Weijiong

This month, Mr. Prodi’s working visit will include an impressive roster of events such as delivering presentations to CEIBS MBA and EMBA students and alumni, and speaking to the EU Chambers of Commerce in both Shanghai and Beijing. He delivered his first lecture to CEIBS MBA students on the Shanghai campus today, and participated in an evening roundtable with CEIBS faculty to explore “The Role of a Business School in the 21st Century.” The session was chaired by CEIBS Dean and Vice President Rolf D. Cremer. Prof. Prodi will return to CEIBS throughout 2010 for teaching stints.

During a lunch presentation to the EU Chamber of Commerce in China (Shanghai) on March 10, Mr. Prodi will discuss: “The EU and China in the 21st Century.” The event will be followed by a Finance Salon briefing at the CLFC exploring “The Reform of the International Financial Architecture.”

Prof. Prodi will also participate in a roundtable with Chinese scholars on March 11, followed by an evening lecture with CEIBS MBA students. “The 21st Century Main Dynamics” is the topic that he will explore on March 12 during a CEIBS Executive Forum with Shanghai alumni. On the following day, Prof. Prod will share his insight with CEIBS EMBA students on “What Makes a Great Leader” before going to Beijing on March 15 for two major events. The first is a CEIBS Executive Forum with Beijing alumni. Prof. Prodi’s working visit then concludes with a presentation to the Beijing representatives of the EU Chamber of Commerce in China.

Previous Visit

On April 15, 2004, President Prodi visited CEIBS in his capacity as President of the EU Commission. His Excellency was extremely impressed by the school and its students. Mr. Prodi views CEIBS as a permanent bridge between Europe and China, and a very successful collaboration between Brussels and Beijing. As an economist with a strong interest in China’s rapid economic development, Mr. Prodi believes that CEIBS, the leading business school in Asia, is the right place for him to teach.

Mr. Prodi holds a deep appreciation for China and for Chinese culture and often refers to the great wisdom of the Chinese people. With its long history and rapid modern transformation, China is making a considerable and positive impact on globalization. As both a statesman and an intellectual, Mr. Prodi seeks to understand and keep pace with these dynamics. In recent years, Mr. Prodi has been invited to appear frequently as a guest and economic commentator on CCTV2, China’s national TV station.
 
Past CEIBS Visits by European Politicians

Established in 1994 and located on its own campus in the Pudong district of Shanghai, CEIBS is a not-for-profit joint venture founded under an agreement between the MOFTEC and the European Commission. Since its establishment, CEIBS has cultivated more than 8,000 talents in senior management. Distributed among different economic fields, these managers contribute significantly to China’s economic growth.

Due to CEIBS’ substantial impact, a visit to the school is one stop that top officials from the EU commission and European countries typically make during their visits to China.
Former visitors from the political sphere include:
-- Their Royal Highnesses King Juan Carlos and Queen Sophia
-- Former French Premier Jean Pierre Raffarin
-- Hungarian Minister of Economy and Transport Janos Koka
-- UK Foreign Secretary David Miliband
-- French Ambassador H.E. Herve Ladsous
-- President of Ireland Mary McAleese
-- Belgian Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt
-- Bulgarian Vice Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ivailo Kalfin,
-- EU Commissioner for Education, Training, Culture and Youth, Mr. Jan Figel
-- H.E. Serge Abou, Ambassador of the European Union Delegation in China, and more.