On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Esdes was delighted to welcome a Chinese delegation of 24 representatives from leading universities in Beijing to Lyon. This visit provided an opportunity to introduce Esdes, its educational environment and academic programmes, while fostering discussions on higher education and international engagement.
An immersion into Esdes and its educational environment
The day began on the UCLy campus, where the delegation was welcomed by the Esdes teams over a welcome coffee.
Accompanied by Stéphanie Bois, Head of High School Partnerships, the university representatives then discovered the different areas of the campus, including teaching rooms, student life facilities, university services, the International Student Office and student associations.
This visit gave them a first-hand insight into the environment in which Esdes students study and the vibrant student life on the Lyon campus.
Discovering Esdes programmes and teaching approaches
The delegation then attended a presentation dedicated to Esdes’ teaching approaches and academic programmes, with a particular focus on the Master in Management and Master of Science (MSc) programmes.
The discussions brought together several representatives of the school:
- Caroline Duval, Director of International Development;
- Lionel Bonniot, Director of the Master of Science Programme;
- Camille Faure, Director of the Master in Management
- William Hurst, Managing Director of Esdes.
The presentations provided an opportunity to share the school’s educational vision, its programmes and the opportunities available to students in an international context.
The morning continued with a networking session between representatives of the institutions present, providing an opportunity to establish new contacts, explore potential collaborations and strengthen ties between French and Chinese higher education institutions.
Discovering a partner company: GL events
In the afternoon, the delegation travelled to Lyon’s Matmut Stadium to discover GL events, an Esdes partner company and a leading international player in the events industry.
Welcomed by the GL events teams, the university representatives toured the stadium and its facilities, including the VIP areas, before attending a presentation of the group and its activities.
This visit helped illustrate the connections between education, the professional world and international opportunities, giving the visitors a concrete insight into the professional environment in which Esdes students may work.
Strengthening international exchanges
Through this visit, Esdes is continuing its commitment to developing exchanges with international higher education institutions and fostering connections between academic and professional stakeholders.
Welcoming this delegation from Beijing provided a further opportunity to share practices, gain a better understanding of each other’s higher education ecosystems and explore future collaborations.
It was a day filled with meaningful encounters and discussions, reflecting Esdes’ commitment to strengthening its international outlook and developing lasting relationships with academic partners around the world.r
