1stDecember 2010, the Opening Ceremony of BI Norwegian School of Management-Fudan University MBA Class 15 successfully took place in the AIA Hall, Starr Building at School of Management. 65 newly admitted students gathered together along with BI-Fudan MBA program’s faculty and guests of honor to celebrate this remarkable new starting point of their professional and career life.

BI-Fudan MBA Program derives originally from the 1996’s Master of Management in change management (CMP) Program jointly held by Fudan University and BI Norwegian School of Management. Since 2003, it has become part of Fudan’s MBA education, and is always dedicated to improving the professionals’ capacity of effective self-developing in the changing business environment. In the year of 2010, the students from Class 15 will still be faced up by enormous, yet unprecedented challenges and opportunities, while no doubt BI-Fudan MBA program will equip them well for the future race.

In the morning, as one of the honorable traditions, Professor Prof. Erling S. Andersen, Associate Dean, Executive School at BI Norwegian School of Management gave a keynote speech and explained the essence of BI-Fudan MBA program. He pointed out that the value of MBA education is not about teaching leadership, since leadership cannot be taught, but nurturing and cultivating the self-confidence, as well as the power of influencing other people. He stressed that BI-Fudan MBA program is featured by its global visions and international perspectives, the key to the success of today’s professional managers. Also, the study at BI-Fudan MBA is focused on the sharing and inspiration between students, which makes the creativity and leadership out of the dynamics of experiences and knowledge.　 　

Later in the afternoon, at the official opening ceremony, various guests expressed their best wishes to the new students, and their views and expectations on BI-Fudan MBA program. First of all, Mr. Ole Fossg rd, Chief Representative of BI Norwegian School of Management in China, along with Prof. Xu Huizhong, Executive Director of this program, introduced the historical and other facts of both prestigious institutes, as well as BI-Fudan MBA program. Both of them said they were looking forward to witnessing the rewarding outcomes of students after this two year’s journey.

Mr. Bj rn Blokhus, Consul General of Norway in Shanghai on representation of Norwegian government, shed lights on the crucial role played by BI-Fudan MBA Program in the Sino-Norwegian relations. As the most ambitious cooperative effort in the field of education between the two countries, the BI-Fudan MBA Program is a valuable asset and a great accomplishment of this partnership. He believed the Class 15, like other alumni and students as future leaders of the new world, will surely make their contribution to the Sino-Norwegian tie.

Other guest speakers at the ceremony include: Prof. Bj rn Hennestad,Dean of Executive School, BI Norwegian School of Management, Prof. Chen Yinzhang, Director of Foreign Affairs Office, Fudan University, Prof. Yin Zhiwen, Associate Dean, School of Management, Fudan University, as well as other faculty and student delegates.

In the evening, as always, new students enjoyed a fun mingling and ice-breaking party which was organized by the program office and Join &Share, the student association of BI-Fudan MBA program. With that, they wished each other the best luck to strive altogether.