Official Opening of swissnex Shanghai by Swiss State Secretary for Education and Research
from left to right:
Mr. William Frei, Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai
Mr. Jiang Mianheng, Vice President of CAS (China Academy of Science)
Mr. Gerhard Schmitt, Vice President of ETHZ
Mrs. Wu Qidi, former Vice President for Education in China
Mr. Andreas Fischer, President of the University of Zurich
Mr. Dell'Ambrogio, Swiss State Secretary for Education and Research
Mrs. Flavia Schlegel, Executive Director of swissnex Shanghai
swissnex Shanghai Grand Opening Celebration
On August 7 we celebrated the official opening of swissnex Shanghai. President of the Swiss Confederation, Federal Councillor Pascal Couchepin was scheduled to participate in the ceremony but weather-related travel difficulties - namely a typhoon in Vietnam - prevented him from attending. He was to have christened the opening of our 4th swissnex host in Shanghai but it seems that there are forces mightier than the Swiss President!
We were lucky enough, however, to have Swiss State Secretary for Education and Research Mr Mauro Dell’Ambrogio assume the inaugural duties and to celebrate with us and our guests at a colorful and festive party. It was a diverse group indeed that honored us with their presence. In attendance were Mr Jiang Mianheng, vice president of CAS; Ms Wu Qidi, former vice president for education in China and alumni of ETH Zurich; and Mr Shao Huixiang, vice director of the Office of Foreign Affairs of the Shanghai municipal government, along with many Chinese and Swiss university presidents. Also joining the celebration were VIP guests from private industry as well as from various ministries.
Everyone thoroughly enjoyed Wu Qidi’s speech and her best wishes for the success of our new office were very much appreciated. Following a ribbon cutting ceremony conducted by Mr Dell’Ambrogio and Ms Wu, our guests dispersed throughout the office work space. An atmosphere of elegance pervaded the room as classical compositions were played by the Shanghai Symphony Orchestra. The event was an occasion to see old friends, to meet new ones, and to just enjoy a good party.
swissnex Shanghai would like to acknowledge all our guests, friends, and sponsors for supporting our opening and making it such a success. Thank you very much!
from left to right:
Mr. Claudio Boër, Vice Director for R&D and Professional Education
Mrs. Flavia Schlegel, Executive Director swissnex Shanghai
Mr. Mauro Dell'Ambrogio, Swiss State Secretary for Education and Research
Mrs. Lan Zuo Gillet, Executive Vice Director swissnex Shanghai
Mrs. Wu Qidi, former Vice President for Education in China and alumni of ETH Zurich
Mr. Jiang Mianheng, Vice President of CAS (China Academy of Science)
The Swissnex Team with:
Mr. Mauro Dell'Ambrogio, Swiss State Secretary for Education and Research
Mr. Mauro Moruzzi, Head of Bilateral Research Cooperation Unit
Mr. Gerhard Schmitt, Vice President ETH Zurich
Mr. Andreas Fischer, President of the University of Zurich
Mr. Markus Reubi, Head of Science, Education and Health Section, Embassy of Switzerland
