April 30, 2020. Shanghai – CEIBS Dean Emeritus Rolf Cremer today delivered 400 masks to help fight the COVID-19 epidemic in his hometown of Bad Honnef, Germany. Professor Cremer presented the masks in person during a special visit to the Bad Honnef Family Alliance and Bad Honnef Mayor Otto Neuhoff.

The need for high-quality masks, disinfectants and other protective equipment for healthcare workers in Germany is still very high and many of the masks delivered by Prof. Cremer will help equip staff at more than 60 medical practices supported by the Bad Honnef Family Alliance.

The masks – which were manufactured in China – were originally prepared by CEIBS as part of a special shipment send to Germany after Prof. Cremer updated the school about the situation in the country in late March.

The gesture further symbolises CEIBS’ role in strengthening the links between Europe and China and, in the words of Prof. Cremer, “the importance of lasting personal friendships like ours, across distance and time.”

In accepting the masks, Bad Honnef Mayor Otto Neuhoff noted that, despite hardships brought about by COVID-19, the outbreak has also allowed people “to experience how literally limitless humanity and friendships can be.”

In addition to the Bad Honnef donation, CEIBS has provided masks to the EFMD, overseas board members, faculty and alumni, as well as current CEIBS students who have been unable to return to China due to the epidemic.

Prof. Cremer’s experience in China and Asia began in 1982 and he served as CEIBS Vice President and Dean from 2004 to 2011. He is also a past recipient of the prestigious Magnolia Award, presented by the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government for his outstanding contributions to China in the field of higher education.

Read the full story here (in German). For more on Prof. Cremer’s teaching and research interests, please visit his CEIBS faculty profile here.