May 8, 2025. Shanghai - CEIBS today celebrated the appointment of Mr. Charles Michel as Distinguished Professor with an appointment ceremony at the school’s Shanghai campus, offering a warm welcome to the esteemed former European leader and reaffirming its commitment to high-level exchange between the EU and China.

Prof. Michel, from Belgium, served as the President of the European Council from 2019 to 2024. Previously, he was the Prime Minister of Belgium from 2014 to 2019. He was elected as Belgium’s youngest Prime Minister at the age of 38; during his mandate, the Belgian government focused on ambitious social economic reforms, praised by the OECD, to attract investment, create jobs, and significantly reduce debt and the budget deficit. Following his term, Mr. Michel was elected unanimously in 2019 and re-elected in 2022 as President of the European Council, serving until 2024. Having previously visited China four times, his actions in office demonstrated the value that he places in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the EU and China, as well as a drive to enhance frank, transparent, and sincere exchange and dialogue, deepen mutual understanding, expand mutually beneficial cooperation, improve the well-being of both countries’ peoples, and jointly address global challenges such as climate change.

In his opening remarks, President of EFMD Global and CEIBS Vice Chairman Eric Cornuel warmly welcomed Professor Michel, noting that, “throughout his career, Prof. Michel has always advocated for building bridges between nations, between societies and across generations through education. As President of the European Council, he emphasised the role of universities and research in shaping Europe’s future, and championed European leadership  in driving the green and digital transitions, recognising them as catalysts for change.” During his tenure as President of the European Council, he added, Prof. Michel had “promoted international cooperation on climate change, strengthened dialogue with China, and contributed to shaping the European approach that seeks balance, openness, and responsibility.” In regard to CEIBS, Prof. Cornuel highlighted the fact that throughout his career, Prof. Michel “has also underlined the essential role of education and knowledge exchange in building a more sustainable and interconnected world.”

CEIBS President Wang Hong then expressed her sincere gratitude and warm congratulations to Prof. Michel on his appointment as CEIBS Distinguished Professor, before offering a detailed introduction and history of the school. She emphasised that CEIBS represents a fruitful outcome of determined collaboration between China and the European Union and has successfully established itself among the world’s top-tier business schools. The school has long been committed to building a high-level bridge for dialogue and exchange between China and Europe, she added, making active contributions to fostering bilateral economic cooperation. President Wang went on to highlight that China and Europe share diverse areas of cooperation and vast potential prospects for further collaboration, and said that in today’s world their partnership holds greater strategic significance than ever before. President Wang expressed confidence that Prof. Michel, through his wisdom and insight, will help CEIBS’ participants broaden their global perspectives and become leaders in today's unique global environment. She also offered her belief that, through the platform provided by CEIBS, Prof. Michel will bring new intellectual vitality to the deepening cooperation and shared development of China and Europe.

This was followed by remarks from CEIBS President (European) Dominique Turpin, who in welcoming Prof. Michel to CEIBS asserted that “we believe, at this school, in ‘win-win’ principles (...) and we are extremely pleased to welcome you to be able to draw on your extraordinary experience as a diplomat.” Given the increasing importance of geopolitics to today’s business climate, President Turpin added that CEIBS participants would undoubtedly benefit from Prof. Michel's wisdom and experience, also noting that in return he hoped that CEIBS’ world-class faculty team and exemplary global alumni network would be a resource to Prof. Michel in understanding China’s dynamic and rapidly developing business and economic environment. In conclusion, he expressed the hope that Prof. Michel would come to see CEIBS as “a second home”.

CEIBS Vice President and Dean Frank Bournois then offered his thoughts on Prof. Michel’s appointment, describing his presence on the CEIBS campus as “deeply meaningful, because this is a very special week, marking the 50th anniversary of relations between China and Europe.” He used management education terminology to describe him as “HiPo - a high-potential leader”, noting Prof. Michel’s ability to “make and reach consensus amongst 27 heads of state” as President of the European Council, adding that “you became very famous in Europe for being calm and considerate, with a measured attitude: you speak with authority, you have lived experience, and you have an extraordinary sense of democratic service.” In conclusion, he addressed Prof. Michel personally: “you arrive not just at a business school, you arrive at CEIBS, which stands at the crossroads of continents, ideas, and transformation, and we are happy to build with you an ever more cooperative and productive school.”

These remarks were followed by an official Appointment Ceremony at which President Michel was offered full CEIBS academic regalia by Vice Chairman Eric Cornuel, President Wang Hong, President (European) Dominique Turpin, and Vice President and Dean Frank Bournois.

Following the official appointment ceremony, Prof. Michel gave his own thoughts on his appointment and his insights into the current global climate, asserting that “I strongly believe that this world, which is facing extraordinary challenges, requires more cooperation, more coordination, and much more effort to understand each other better.” In reflecting on CEIBS’ role in an uncertain world, Prof. Michel said, “I am fascinated by the story of this business school (...) because it shows that when we dream together, and when we can be seen to act together, it is possible to make great achievements, and this is what you are doing every day.”  Prof. Michel added, “innovation, education, knowledge…the only way to know better our counterpart, is to listen to each other, to work together and to have a frank and sincere dialogue.”.” In conclusion, Prof. Michel added that he already felt “at home” at CEIBS and expressed his anticipation to working constructively with the school and its participants.

The event then concluded with remarks from CEIBS Special Representative for European Affairs Dr. Xu Bo, who stated that he was deeply touched by Prof. Michel’s “passion and engagement in promoting relations between China and the EU.” He went on to describe Prof. Michel’s appointment as a “first step” toward creating another productive 50 years of China-EU relations.

2025 marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the European Union and China, and Mr. Michel’s appointment represents CEIBS’ ongoing efforts to establish itself as a bridge between China and Europe. The appointment ceremony was held amidst a week of celebrations of this historic partnership, including a China-EU Relations 50th Anniversary Forum scheduled to take place on the CEIBS Shanghai campus on May 9, at which Prof. Michel will deliver a keynote speech.