"HEC Paris is investing in China with the support of government partners like the NDRC, allowing us to put our expertise to use serving companies doing business in China and doing business with China," Ramanantsoa said.
Gregori Pillegand, marketing director of Sodexo Greater China, said he benefited from the MBA program offered by HEC.
"During the Executive MBA program, I learned how to excel as part of a team and gained new managerial skills that I use every day in my professional life," Pillegand said.
"I developed an incredible network which creates many professional opportunities in China and beyond," he added.
Building networks of business contacts is among the appeals of MBA programs.
HEC Paris has 45,000 notable alumni in business and political fields throughout the world, including World Trade Organization Director-General Pascal Lamy, Carrefour Group President Daniel Bernard, Axa Group President Henri de Castries and Adecco President Philippe Foriel-Destezet.
Intensive course
The HEC Paris program in Shanghai is an intensive course for senior managers.
The course is taught in English, and participants apply their professional experiences and perspectives to lessons with global marketplace themes.
In addition to the Shanghai modules, students are required to complete a one-week study trip to Paris to learn at HEC's main campus.
The average age of participants in the 18-month HEC Paris program is 43.
Yang Ya, CFO of the China Three Gorges Project Corp, said he compared several MBA programs before choosing the HEC Paris Executive MBA in China course.
"The faculty is the strongest that I have seen, and I was very impressed by the curriculum," Yang said.
"The focus on global vision, strategic thinking and international management are highly relevant for me and my company," he said.
Wang Zhentao, chairman and president of Aokang Co Ltd, a leading Chinese shoe manufacturer, said the program's partnership with the SASAC and NDRC can build a bridge between State-owned and foreign companies.
For three consecutive years since 2006, the Financial Times has included HEC Paris as among the leading business schools in Europe. The latest Financial Times list ranked HEC Paris No 5 among top schools worldwide.
HEC Paris's Executive MBA program in Shanghai will be taught at the city's Lake Malaren International Convention Center.
In addition to its MBA programs, HEC has set up eight business and industry think tanks, including the Eurasia Institute, Europe Institute and Latin America Center.
