French Open Days in Shanghai

Co-organized by Antai College of Economics & Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, ESSEC Business School and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China (CCI France Chine), the First French Open Days were held at Shanghai Jiao Tong University on 30 November and 1 December 2016.

The French Open Days were organized with the aim of deepening understanding and facilitating knowledge exchange between China and France.

The Opening Ceremony of the French Open Days was conducted in the presence of Mr. Maurice Gourdault-Montagne, Ambassador of France to China, Prof. Huang Zhen, Vice-President of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Mr. Javier Gimeno, President of CCI France Chine & General Delegate of Saint-Gobain Asia Pacific, Prof. Wan Guohua, Associate Dean of Antai College of Economics & Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Dr. Patrick Lecomte, Deputy Director, Centers of Excellence, ESSEC Business School, Asia-Pacific. 

The two days consisted of an engaging line-up of events including a job fair, as well as Roundtable Discussions on topics such as cross-border M&A and women in leadership. The job fair provided a platform to connect over 30 renowned French companies with over 400 candidates, and featured key multinationals such as Accor Hotels, Club Med, Dior, Mazars, Michelin, Safran, Saint-Gobain, Sanofi and Ubisoft.

Prof. Hong Jieying, Assistant Professor at ESSEC Business School, along with Prof. William Wang, moderated a  Roundtable on “顶尖的法国企业” (top corporations of France), where French corporations located in China shared their knowledge and experience. Dr. Patrick Lecomte, Deputy Director of Centers of Excellence, ESSEC Business School, Asia-Pacific, and Prof. Wan Guohua, Associate Dean of ACEM, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, moderated a Roundtable on “Cross-Border M&A: New Lands of Opportunities?”, where industry experts gathered to exchange views on cross-border mergers and acquisitions between China and France.

The First French Open Days gathered over 500 participants consisting of thought leaders in Chinese and French Business, industry experts, as well as students and professionals looking to further their careers in French companies.