· When and how did you decide to move to China?

I came to China for the first time in February 1982, as a Visiting Lecturer at Tongji University. This first visit to China, which lasted for about half a year, was a turning point in my life. After a short return to my home country, I came back to China, and lived and worked from 1983 to 1992 in China, mostly in Hongkong and Macau. My fascination with China, my affection for its people, culture and history, and my active engagement has grown ever since. In 1992, I left for New Zealand, but never gave up my linkages with China. Since 2003, I am back in Shanghai, at CEIBS.

· You have been living in China for a substantial part of your life so far. Do you have any plans to move back to Europe in the future?

I have no definite plans to return to Europe. Of course, being European, it is not unlikely that eventually I will return, but all my plans are focused on my life and work in China.

· What have you done for China, and what do you think China has done for you?

I would change the sequence of the two parts of the question. China has provided me with tremendous opportunities, with a clear vision of what I can contribute, and with a deep conviction of the need for openness, tolerance and diversity. I simply cannot think of a more exciting place to be. I hope that in return, I have may have helped to increase understanding of China internationally, and to build, together with other great people at CEIBS, the creation of one of the world’s great business schools.

· You are leading one of the most impressive stories of success in the Business School world wide (11th MBA worldwide and 1st in Asia for 2 years in a row), can you tell us what are the challenges for the future for China Europe International Business School?

We are entering into a very exciting, and important development phase. CEIBS is, and has always been, a model for business education and research in China. Being a model means to be at the forefront of new developments at all times. In the past, perhaps until three or four years ago, this has meant to ensure that Chinese students had an opportunity to study management at the highest international standard. In other words, we imported leading knowledge from all over the world. This is still important, and CEIBS is the leading business school in China in doing this. But the challenge for the coming years will be to add a true capability in China to generate new knowledge, to become the internationally recognized thought-leader in management on relation to all problems that have to do with China and China’s integration into the global economy. This is why we emphasize fields like leadership and responsibility, international finance and banking; global governance; and internationalization of Chinese enterprises.

· Human Resources in China is considered as one of the most delicate issues to approach, especially for Western companies entering the Chinese market. How much do you think CEIBS, with its pool of talents, is influencing the labour market and helping this process of modernization of the overall market?

China needs managers, hundred thousands of managers. Obviously, one institution alone cannot make a major contribution alone. Our task, at CEIBS, is at the very top-level of management. We expect and know that out of our MBA and EMBA graduates, together around 800 per year, many will emerge as internationally renowned leaders of business and society.

· Your role as one of the most prominent leaders in China business community brought you in contact with several professionals, entrepreneurs, politicians. From a human and business perspective, can you tell us who has impressed you most, and why?

As Dean of CEIBS, I have great opportunities to meet important leaders of business, society, and politics. To pick one or two would not be appropriate. But one person who has had a big influence on my life, as a mentor and friend, is the former Dean of CEIBS, Professor Alfredo Pastor. Similarly, although I have had much less close frequent contact with him, I have the deepest respect for our Honorary President, Professor Liu Ji. They have in common, that their integrity, their clear values, and their deep humanity and care for others are a model for me to follow.

· What do you think is the most important lesson you have learned doing business in China, and what suggestion would you give to Italian or European companies who want to explore the local market?

This is easy: be in China to learn, to listen, and to share.

· Any last comment for our readers?
I would wish that people in Europe, and in the West in general, would try harder to understand the tremendous task that China and China’s government is facing, in order to bring a modest level of prosperity, stability, and security to the Chinese people. The contribution that China is making to secure better living to a still very poor society, deserves understanding, respect and support, not we-