Beijing and ShanghaiMay 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — On May 21, 2026, “A Decade of Return” — the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the BUPT-emlyon EMBA Program and the 2026 Asia Carnival & Gala Dinner of emlyon business school was grandly held in Beijing. Leaders from both Chinese and French institutions, industry elites, partners, as well as alumni, faculty, and students of the BUPT-emlyon EMBA program gathered together to look back on a glorious decade of achievements and jointly envision the brilliant prospects for the next ten years.
EMBA 10th Anniversary Gala Scene
Guests attending the event included: Mark SMITH, Vice President of emlyon business school; Xin Wenlong, Dean of emlyon business school Asia Campus; Xie Zhiyong, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications; Professors Lu Jun and Chen Jianwen from emlyon business school; Zhang Weiwei, Director of the EE Center at emlyon business school Asia Campus; Peng Peng, Deputy Director of Alumni, Corporate Relations, and Career Services at the Asia Campus; Professors Liu Kexuan and Yan Changle from the School of Economics and Management at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications; Mr. Luc ZELLER, Vice President of Veolia Asia and Foundation Representative; Ms. Brigitte ZELLER, Founder and CEO of Start’In for Good and Member of the Global Alumni Board of emlyon business school; Wu Dongmei, Chairman of Dell China and Chair of the BUPT-emlyon EMBA Management Advisory Committee; Feng Xuesen, President of the North China Student and Alumni Association of emlyon business school; and Lu Bosikaoer from Qingdao Da Hao He Shan Wine Industry Co., Ltd.
As the only Sino-foreign cooperative EMBA program in China with a unique focus on digital transformation, the BUPT-emlyon EMBA is a powerful collaboration between Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications and emlyon business school. Over the past decade, the program has consistently stood at the forefront of digital transformation and business education, deeply integrating emlyon’s entrepreneurial DNA with BUPT’s profound expertise in information technology. It has cultivated a large number of business leaders with a global vision, digital intelligence insight, and a strong sense of social responsibility. This grand celebration was not only a “family reunion” for all BUPT-emlyon members to review their journey and share camaraderie but also a new starting point for converging cutting-edge ideas, connecting global ecosystems, and jointly ushering in the next brilliant decade.
This event was generously supported by Zhonghong Insurance and Qingdao Da Hao He Shan Wine Industry Co., Ltd. (Chateau Nine Peaks).
Guests Toasting
A Decade of Unity • Setting Sail for Dreams
As night fell and lights came on, the gala dinner kicked off with a unique entrance parade. From the first cohort of 2016 alumni who witnessed the program’s launch, to the incoming class of 2026 full of potential, and the dedicated faculty members, teams representing different eras of the program strode forward one by one, showcasing the confident, decisive, and pioneering spirit of BUPT-emlyon members.
Subsequently, a passionate and exotic flamenco dance performance made a stunning opening, instantly igniting the excitement of the entire audience. Following that, a themed video titled “A Decade of Return” played on the big screen, capturing moments of struggle and emotion over the past ten years, taking all guests on a journey through time back to the original starting point of entrepreneurial dreams and digital intelligence breakthroughs.
Ms. Isabelle HUAULT, President and Chair of the Board of emlyon business school, sent sincere blessings via video from France. She fondly recalled the bold and visionary decision made by the two schools in 2016 and noted that over the past decade, the program has perfectly integrated BUPT’s outstanding technological foundation with emlyon’s strong entrepreneurial spirit, building a bridge across cultures, disciplines, and regions. Looking ahead, emlyon will continue to deepen its investment in digital transformation and social responsibility, committed to cultivating future leaders who can address global challenges and benefit society.
The gala dinner was filled with distinguished guests and shining stars. Amid warm applause, Mr. Mark Smith, Vice President of emlyon business school; Professor Xie Zhiyong, Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications; and Mr. Xin Wenlong, Dean of emlyon business school Asia Campus, delivered speeches in turn.
Mr. Mark Smith provided insightful perspectives on the evolution and forward-looking layout of emlyon’s “Resonance 2028” strategic plan, highly praising the vibrant development of the Chinese alumni ecosystem. Dean Xie Zhiyong delved into the grand blueprint of the digital economy and digital intelligence innovation in his speech, affirming the program’s unique value as a model of Sino-French educational cooperation. Dean Xin Wenlong offered heartfelt remarks, emphasizing that the future will be scarce in talents who can master technology and connect the world, encouraging everyone to leverage the technological genes and global vision of both schools to become long-termist leaders capable of navigating cycles. After the speeches, leaders from both Chinese and French sides raised their glasses together, toasting all BUPT-emlyon members and the anticipated next brilliant decade.
Amid enthusiastic applause and cheers, the BUPT-emlyon EMBA program team made a dazzling appearance. Teachers who had long worked behind the scenes, guiding students in digital transformation and reshaping the business landscape, including Zhang Weiwei, Liu Kexuan, Yan Changle, Lu Jun, and Chen Jianwen, came to the center of the stage. Alumni representatives stepped onto the stage with bouquets of flowers, paying the highest respect and gratitude to these steadfast guides. At that moment, the profound power of inheritance and trust flowed through the venue, and the warm family atmosphere moved every returning student.
Stars Shining Bright, Colors Flying High
Over the past decade, while navigating the business world, alumni have found shoulders to lean on and fight alongside in the big family of the North China Student and Alumni Association. A stirring retrospective video showcased the outstanding efforts of the alumni organization in uniting people and building an ecological platform over the past few years.
Subsequently, former honorary presidents of the North China Alumni Association, Zhang Sixing, Wei Jiadong, and Wang Bingsen, took the stage one after another. These “veterans of the alumni association” delivered heartfelt speeches, each word revealing gratitude to their alma mater, cherishment of classmate bonds, and satisfaction with the passing of the torch in alumni work. Feng Xuesen, President of the Fourth Alumni Association, and Secretary-General Qin Zhongji gave passionate remarks, demonstrating the surging power of the new generation of leaders in driving the alumni network toward a broader future in the digital age—passing the torch, generation after generation.
As the way to connect the world evolves with the times, the host introduced the future plans for “Connect the World Beijing Station” and the newly launched alumni mini-program to the guests, empowering the connection and development of global alumni through digital means, bringing a taste of the future.
Subsequently, the gala featured a highly technological audio-visual feast—a song and dance performance titled “Stars Shining Through the Decade” presented by the EMBA 2025 Fall cohort. The perfect fusion of technology and stage art vividly showcased the eternal sunshine, dynamism, and cutting-edge spirit of BUPT-emlyon members.
Gobi 21 Team About to Depart
Chasing Light on the Gobi, Creating Dreams Together
“Those who have walked the vast Gobi Desert are all brothers and sisters.” Beyond the business classroom and digital battlefield breakthroughs, BUPT-emlyon members have also written glory with sweat and footsteps on another arena that challenges human limits and tempers ideals and beliefs—the Xuanzang Road Business School Gobi Challenge. In the past Gobi Challenge videos played on the big screen, the wind and sand could not obscure determined gazes, and the vast Gobi witnessed extraordinary journeys of teamwork and perseverance. The passionate scenes moved every audience member present.
Subsequently, the warriors from past Gobi Challenges took the stage amid thunderous applause. The soon-to-depart “Gobi 21 Team” warriors received the battle flag symbolizing faith and inheritance. At that moment, the starlight of the Gobi seemed to illuminate the path forward for every dream chaser present.
Maker Pioneers, World Leaders
When the spirit of innovation meets the pulse of the times, countless outstanding role models leading digital intelligence transformation and actively practicing social responsibility across various industries deserve to be remembered by history. As the most significant segment of this 10th-anniversary celebration, eight major awards embodying a decade of breakthroughs and perseverance were announced one by one. These highest honors aimed to pay tribute to the pioneering forces that broke barriers and forged ahead amid the waves of digitalization and intelligence.
Under the gaze of all guests, the eight awards were presented in turn: Star Leading • Maker Pioneer Achievement Award; Outstanding Navigation • AI Entrepreneurship Elite Award; Bold Boundary-Breaking • Digital Intelligence Industry Innovation Award; Deep Business Cultivation • Industry Expert Achievement Award; Enduring Goodness • Entrepreneurial Style Achievement Award; Global Vision • Cross-Border Overseas Navigation Award; Ultimate Companionship • Decade of Excellence Merit Award; Ultimate Companionship • Decade of Excellence Contribution Award.
Leaders from both Chinese and French institutions and award presenters took the stage together to present the heavy trophies of honor to all winners. Every honor on stage was the best testament to BUPT-emlyon members braving the winds and waves and standing at the forefront over the past decade, and the loudest response of the era to the entrepreneurial spirit.
Unchanged Original Aspirations, Chasing Dreams Far Away
The joyful time flew by swiftly, and a video full of warmth and emotion brought the gala dinner to its conclusion. As the hosts said, standing at the end of this first decade is also a new starting point for the next ten years. No matter how technology evolves, no matter how the waves of digitalization and artificial intelligence reshape the world, the original aspiration of BUPT-emlyon members to entrust and move forward together will never change. Whether rooted in local transformation or looking globally for cross-border ventures, BUPT-emlyon will always be the warmest harbor in the hearts of every student.
Amid warm applause, the EMBA 2024 Spring cohort took the stage, leading a grand chorus of “Loving Each Other as a Family.” The melodious melody lingered, blending the stage and the audience as one. Everyone waved their hands and sang together, pouring two years of classmate bonds and a decade of ecological companionship into the touching song. At that moment, the hearts of every BUPT-emlyon member were tightly united.
After the chorus, the four hosts jointly delivered the closing remarks. Amid stirring music, the 10th Anniversary Celebration of the BUPT-emlyon EMBA Program and the 2026 Asia Carnival & Gala Dinner came to a successful conclusion. All leaders, guests, and alumni moved to the front of the stage, leaving the warmest group photo of the night, capturing this historic reunion evening.
A decade of unity, we set sail for dreams; facing the future, we remain true to our original aspirations, chasing dreams far away! From setting sail a decade ago to tonight’s grand reunion, we have witnessed each other’s highlights and seen the direction of the future. May all BUPT-emlyon members always hold faith and passion, ride the waves of the era, and look forward together to an even more brilliant next decade!