CAIC holds Fourth Council Investiture Ceremony

CAIC The CEIBS Alumni International Chapter (CAIC) held its Fourth Council Investiture Ceremony on November 11, 2024, inaugurating the new leadership team in celebratory surroundings on the CEIBS Shanghai campus. This occasion symbolised a renewed commitment to the Chapter's mission: to serve its alumni members while contributing to the school’s efforts of internationalisation.

The Investiture Ceremony marked the official handover of duties from the Third to the Fourth Council, celebrating the dedication and achievements of outgoing leaders while paving the way for a new era of collaboration and vision under the incoming team.

The New CAIC Core Council

The event celebrated the formal induction of CAIC’s Fourth Core Council.

This distinguished group comprises:

Huiling Ding (GEMBA13) - CAIC President
Benoît Sassin (GEMBA21) - CAIC Secretary General
Yvonne Tang (GEMBA15) - CAIC Vice President
Christina Mou (MBA16) - CAIC Vice President
Gregory Harbin (GEMBA17) - CAIC Vice President
Pierre-Yves Demeer (GEMBA18) - CAIC Vice President

These leaders bring diverse experiences and a shared commitment to fostering the CAIC’s inclusive, intercultural identity.

Honoured Guests Attending the Ceremony

In recognition of this significant milestone, CAIC was privileged to welcome several distinguished guests, including:

CEIBS President (European) and CAIC Honorary President Dominique Turpin
CEIBS Vice President and Dean Frank Bournois
CEIBS Vice President and Co-Dean Zhang Weijiong
CEIBS Zurich CEO Robert Straw
CEIBS Africa Executive Director Mathew Tsamenyi
Esteemed CEIBS Faculty Professors Lingling Zhang and Shameen Prashantham
Secretary General of the CEIBS Alumni Association Catherine Qin
Programme Department Directors of Global EMBA and MBA programmes Isa Luo and Michelle Zhu

The Future of Management Education

CEIBS President (European) and CAIC Honorary President Dominique Turpin

A keynote address from CEIBS President (European) Dominique Turpin inspired the audience to challenge and rethink the role of business schools in a changing world. In his talk "The Future of Global Management Education”, Prof. Turpin proposed five areas for transformation.

Rethinking Research Objectives: Scholars might produce insightful academic publications, but business executives rarely read those types of formats. A new approach calls for more practical research partnerships with corporations, and publishing in broader, accessible formats.

Establishing Cross-Functional Expertise: Academic institutions have silos, too. Interdisciplinary collaboration should foster real-world application. CEIBS especially aims at a cross-disciplinary approach in the fields of ESG, AI, and social impact.

Prioritising Impact: Seen as impartial players in the business space, business schools should equip executives with skills that drive positive industry change. Impact must be measured not solely by academic output but by the contributions of alumni to global business.

Refreshing the Curriculum: Major topics such as AI, cybersecurity, and sustainability are of increasing relevance to the corporate world. Engaging industry leaders, utilising technology, and obtaining feedback from alumni are key to designing a curriculum that continues to meet industry needs.

Active Stakeholder Engagement: It’s imperative for academic institutions to regularly connect with students and alumni as well as other industry leaders to ensure teaching content remain relevant and dynamic.

In conclusion, Prof. Turpin called for business schools to proactively adapt, continuously bridging academia and the business world. CEIBS’ specialisation in executive education provides strategic focus for this ambitious journey of transformation.

As the Chapter’s Honorary President, Prof. Turpin congratulated the new CAIC leadership and expressed his appreciation for the excellent work done by the outgoing Council, thanking each Third Core Council member individually: Cedric Devroye (Outgoing CAIC President); Tina Walendy (Outgoing CAIC Secretary General); Urvash Singh, Huiling Ding, Laetitia Domange, Yvonne Tang and Laure-Cecile Lafond Fenonjoie (Outgoing CAIC Vice Presidents).

Other highlights of the evening included sharings from the leaders of both the outgoing and incoming Councils, reflecting on the journey of CAIC and the values that will guide the Chapter forward.

The True Meaning of “International”

Opening address by the outgoing CAIC Secretary General Tina Walendy

Reflecting on what the CAIC stands for, in her opening remarks Tina Walendy, Secretary General of the outgoing CAIC Council, highlighted the essence of the “I” at the heart of CEIBS: International. She emphasised that being international is not about one individual’s nationality or language; international is rather about connection between people from different backgrounds. International means communication and embracing diversity.

Tina’s words resonated with the CAIC’s dedication to promoting bilingual communication and inclusion within CEIBS and the broader business community. She invited the audience to see “international" at CEIBS as a shared identity - a sense of belonging that transcends borders.

A Vision for What’s Ahead: Connection, Belonging, and Lasting Impact

Incoming CAIC President and Secretary General Huiling Ding shares outlook on the future

Incoming CAIC President Huiling Ding shared the Fourth Council’s vision: to build a global community where connection, support, and belonging empower each of us to thrive and create lasting impact. In her speech, she emphasised that this vision is more than a slogan - it is a call to action and a promise to every member of CAIC. She outlined three key focus areas: fostering a global community with an inclusive heart and mindset, cultivating deeper connections and a sense of belonging within the alumni network, and driving lasting impact through flagship events and meaningful initiatives. Huiling concluded by inviting members to actively participate in shaping CAIC’s future, inspiring them to bring the chapter’s mission back to their workplaces, communities, and families.

Incoming Secretary General Benoît Sassin reflected on the legacy of the Third Council, expressing gratitude for the strong foundation they had built. He highlighted CAIC’s role in promoting vital themes such as sustainability, diversity, and inclusion, while contributing to CEIBS’ international reputation. Benoît reaffirmed the Fourth Council’s commitment to furthering these efforts and thanked CEIBS leadership and faculty, particularly Honorary President Professor Dominique Turpin, for their continued support and inspiration.

Heartfelt Gratitude and a Call to Action

Cedric

Outgoing CAIC President of the Third Council Cédric Devoyre

The outgoing CAIC President, Cedric Devroye, celebrated the newly elected Council as a reflection of transparency, inclusivity, and the collective voice of a diverse alumni community. He extended heartfelt congratulations to the incoming team, expressing full confidence in their ability to carry forward CAIC’s mission and legacy.

In providing some numbers to illustrate how far the Chapter has come since its inception nine years ago, Cedric noted that the CAIC has hosted more than 100 events and grown to over 2,500 members globally. The Chapter fostered partnerships with alumni communities worldwide, from Shanghai to Sao Paolo and from to Accra and Zurich. This journey has been marked by constructive dialogue that has guided other oversea alumni chapters across the globe.

He also highlighted the impact of the 80+ council members he has welcomed over the years, emphasising that each departure is as meaningful as the onboarding. Those who leave their volunteer roles remain lifelong CAIC ambassadors.

In closing, he called upon the new Council to maintain a global mindset amidst rising international challenges, viewing CAIC as a bridge. With a reminder to embody a strong sense of purpose, he urged the team to communicate openly and prioritise consensus. “Zero excuses to fail,” he affirmed, calling for dedication to CAIC’s values and the support of one another, to serve the greater mission of the CAIC and the school community.