Press Release
“AXA-HEC-Tsinghua Initiative”
A major initiative taken by AXA
to support HEC-Tsinghua University cooperation
Jouy-en-Josas, 25th October 2005
Invited at Tsinghua University to give a key-note speech in Beijing on September
28th, 2005 on “How to Build a Global Group in Financial Services”, Henri de Castries
Chairman of the Board and CEO of AXA (HEC 76) announced the launching of a
new “AXA initiative” in the field of management education and research in presence
of the Deans of the two schools: Professor Bernard Ramanantsoa (HEC MBA 76) for
HEC and Professor Zhao Chunjun for the School of Economic and Management of
Tsinghua University.
Building on the strong institutional links between HEC and the SEM of Tsinghua
University, the new AXA initiative will focus on research, faculty development and
joint education programs in management, strategy and finance, with special attention
to the insurance, banking and asset management area.
The School of Economics and Management of Tsinghua University, has been
founded in 1984 by Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji who was also the first Dean of the
School. The School had since a major influence on China economic intelligentsia and
corporate leadership, pursuing excellence and valuing Actions over Words.
HEC and the School of Economic and Management of Tsinghua University have
since 2001 close relationship in term of students exchange and dual degree policy,
faculty exchange, joint research program on the strategy of Chinese multinationals,
and common projects in executive education.
Among personalities participating at the ceremony were Professor Gong Ke and
Professor Xia Guangzhi, Tsinghua University Vice Presidents, senior representatives
of the European Union Delegation and French diplomatic community, Denis Duverne
( HEC 74) Chief Financial Officer AXA Group (Paris), Less Owen Senior Executive
VP AXA Asia-Pacific (Melbourne) , Mark Pearson CEO of AXA Asia Life Regional
Centre (Hong-Kong), Eric Goujon ( HEC 84) representing HEC alumni community,
Chen Guoqing Tsinghua SEM Deputy Dean, Valerie Gauthier Associate Dean HEC
MBA, and Jean-Paul Larçon (HEC 68) HEC Senior Associate Dean for International
Development .
China is one of AXA key market and the company, already present in China in the life
insurance business, plans to increase its activity in the country through both
geographic expansion and new cooperative agreements with Chinese corporations
on new businesses, especially in the asset management area.
Henri de Castries key note speech put the emphasis on the importance of people in
AXA global strategy and growth plans for China. AXA as well as other leading
international companies with European roots like Alcatel,
Lafarge, L’Oréal,
Michelin, Schneider Electric, Siemens, or St Gobain have important needs in China
in term of recruiting young managers with dual culture: Chinese and international.
HEC is clearly positioning itself as a very distinctive source of high flyers for these
international companies thanks to the rigor of selection process and the
entrepreneurial and international spirit of its graduates.
Press Contact, HEC School of Management
Catherine Rousseau
 +33 1 39 67 94 23
 +33 1 39 67 94 46
e-mail : rousseau@hec.fr
www.hec.edu