My Digital Families – Swissnex in China

By Qinxin Xie, Junior Project Manager - Digital Hospitality

It is hard to believe that six months have passed, and my internship's end has come. I can still feel the excitement and warmth from the time when Yael and I struggled to confirm a starting date of my internship because of lockdown, the time when I moderated our weekly meeting for the first time, and everyone sent messages to remind me of the next speaker, and the time when I just joined the office and met everyone in person. The past six months have been filled with surprises and unexpected experiences for all of us. I am honored to join this excellent organization and work with all my exceptional colleagues.

As a third-year student from EHL hospitality business school, I joined Swissnex as a junior project manager in digital hospitality, working as a marketing and event coordinator for EHL and assisting Swissnex in China with online activities, CRM management, and research. However, what I have harvested over the last few months goes beyond the description and my previous experience. This extraordinary experience unveiled me a new world of frontier science and innovative technologies, utterly different from the service and business industries. Stepping out of my comfort zone, I was fascinated by emerging research and obtained a habit of self-learning about industry advancement.

It was pitiful that I could not join several iconic events of Swissnex in China because of the Covid situation in Shanghai. Yet, the opportunity I obtained to launch a new cooperation program between EHL and Swissnex was even more cheerful. This experience of connecting service corporations to research institutes in China and Switzerland not only helped me to gain new knowledge but also allowed me to implement what I studied at school in actual business. It was also unforgettable to join the rebranding process, which brought me a deeper understanding of Swissnex in China and the feeling of ownership of this company. The team was supportive and patient in guiding, correcting, encouraging me, and even giving me the chance to lead projects. From my colleagues, I also realized the importance of continuous learning and curiosity.

My journey to Shanghai is unforgettable because of Swissnex in China. This internship improved my professional techniques, and things learned from this fantastic team bring me lifelong changes in thinking and learning. Words are not sufficient to express my gratitude. Going back to Switzerland, I just changed my way of being with everyone, backing to be a digital team member. I will stay in this family as an alumna and wish to see everyone again soon. I wish everyone the best, my Swissnex families! Whenever you need me, I am here.

Swissnex: A Special Place in My Heart

By Ruoran (Kathy) Li, Junior Project Manager - Art-Science

Fall 2021 was a season of significance to me when I was both insanely naïve and extremely lucky. In my personal life, I’ve regained my confidence and finished the hardest part of being a new mother. I was wrong. In my professional career, I decided to take a leap into a different direction and believed a net would appear. I was right.

Art-science-technology, or “AST”, has been a field of interest to me for some years, yet I haven’t been successful in nudging my way into this world. I have been in the performing arts field for many years with work experience both in China and the US, which has a lot less interdisciplinary activity than the vibrant collaborations between visual art and the science/tech field. The recent boom of AST projects has increased the difficulty of probing this field; the sheer amount of research needed for an outsider to have even just a rough understanding of what’s happening is daunting.

My responsibilities as Art-Science JPM at Swissnex in China were to assist our public-facing projects, including three hybrid events of the lecture series Café des Sciences, one online webinar of the Art x Science Dialogue series, and several other special events. In addition, I conducted research to find leads for future collaboration and strengthen existing relationships. Cissy, my supervisor, pointed me to the right places to look for information and generously shared her insights. I enjoyed our daily exchange and impromptu brainstorming sessions and frequently used them as jumping boards to dig into different topics.

As a result, My scope of knowledge in the AST field has been significantly broadened, and I’ve become much more familiar with the lingo and key players, with a special focus on Swiss practitioners and institutions. Having seen and heard about so many existing projects in the fields, I developed my own preliminary set of values and theories for designing systems and practices that can best support interdisciplinary projects. During the Swissnex network’s organizational transition period, I also had the opportunity to think not just in a project-oriented way but also engage in the discussion of the big picture.

Professional development was not the only thing I gratefully found at Swissnex. In this friendly and supportive environment, I learned so much from literally everyone. Whether it’s debating the best translation of certain phrases, optimizing a technical solution, sharing the happenings in different industries, finding the best restaurants in the neighborhood, or even helpful parenting tips, there is always someone who knows the answer.

From day one, I felt like a part of the team. And now, six months later, with new knowledge under my belt, new projects on the horizon, and a heart full of friendship and congeniality that I’ve found among my dearest colleagues at Swissnex, I set off again into the world and hoping that our path will cross again soon.

2021+: A Swissnex Odyssey

By Aijing Cao, Junior Project Manager - Innovation & Entrepreneurship

Somehow, I already know the last working day at Swissnex will approach. Nevertheless, at a certain level, I need more time to prepare myself to say goodbye to this excellent organization and my outstanding colleagues. However, on the actual last day, I was still not able to hold my tears.

Swissnex's well-designed public events unveiled an innovative new world to me, which incrementally developed my interest in knowing the frontier research, deep-tech, and related applications. Working at Swissnex is far beyond a dream come true, but also a holy light illuminating the gloomy days during this unstable pandemic period, meanwhile showing me the diverse paths that can be paved and extended from the core of Science to reach a common good and a reciprocal friendship at a national level.

Mar – July 2021 | Wander in the Space of Art

Following my passion for arts and technology, I embarked on my Swissnex journey at the Art-Science department. Art-Science projects broadened my spectrum to observe the distinct technological application in arts and Science as the driving force to elevate societal development further.

My main responsibilities included not only the design and organization of interdisciplinary flagship programs "Café des Sciences" and "Art x Science Dialogues" with key stakeholders and actors in the art scene and innovation ecosystem, but also the project implementation, content creation, and communication. I still remember how excited I were to assist so-far my first French-speaking "diplomatic" event - the special Francophone edition of the Café des Sciences with the Consulate General of Belgium, the Consulate General of Canada, the Consulate General of France, and the Consulate General of Luxembourg in Shanghai and the Embassy of Switzerland in China. In my opinion, working in the Art-Science area is a section I will never get bored by constantly revivifying and enriching my knowledge base to conceive insightful, interactive programs and lectures for the public audience.

Looking back on the events we have designed and facilitated, the range of these events covered a broad domain, such as ESG Green Finance, VR, Montreux Jazz Festival China, arts curation, robot technology, and wildlife management. The Art-Science section is truly a bridge to make the intricate Science and deeptech more accessible to the public and reach Chinese daily lives. Another benefit is that we can actively participate and exchange with respective organizations and partners, to establish collaborative synergy and refresh the art scenes in a global network. As a pivotal connecting point without the language barrier, together with the enthusiastic digital hype, Art-Science is absolutely a realm attracting more attention and releasing more potential.

Through the internship period, I am also overwhelmed by Switzerland's pioneering exploration in this domain and visionary facilitating ecosystem from academic research, innovation, and experimental residency program to cultivate the related talents and catalyst the boundary-less integration.

Aug – Jan 2022 | Foray into Innovation

The severe pandemic resulted in my postponement in Geneva; however, it offered me a fortuitous opportunity to experience Innovation & Entrepreneurship (I&E) 's projects. Switzerland tops the title of the most innovative country 11 times in a row; indeed, it is the preferable country to probe into the secret and know-how of the legendary success story. That perfectly fits the old Chinese saying, "A setback may turn out to be a blessing in disguise. 塞翁失馬，焉知非福)" If the keyword of working at "Art-Science" is "Creativity," then the I&E prioritizes the "Rationality."

I&E section's swisstech China series provided me fantastic opportunity to support a cohort of 21 Swiss startups in diversified fields, such as AI, AR/VR, Robotics, IoT, Health Tech, Lifestyle Tech, and Vehicle Tech. From the beginning step of "Call for Startups" to the successful opening of the expos, in the end, the entire process helped me obtain hands-on experience on two top-trending tech expos in China, Shanghai International Consumer Electronics Show (Tech-G) and China Hi-Tech Fair (Shenzhen) and honed my event management skills. In total, 11 Swiss startups received accolades for their ground-breaking innovations at the Great Tech Awards and Excellent Product Awards from China Hi-Tech Fair. It is critical for us to build a friendly rapport with startups and close coordination among multi-stakeholders to maximize the impact of Swiss excellence globally. On the other hand, innovation scouting and trend reports across China's landscape of Food tech and Cosmetics & Fragrance improved my research ability and triggered my thoughts about the disparity of the market and innovation scenes between China and Switzerland.

 Aside from daily work, many unexpected opportunities knocked at my door', which challenged myself stepping out of my comfort zone and strengthen my all-around abilities. I was delighted to be the simultaneous interpreter for the Consul General of Switzerland in Shanghai, Olivier Zehnder,  at the China-Switzerland Online Innovation & Entrepreneurship Pitchinar Event in the Yangtze River Delta, and support the Swiss Center at the China International Import Expo (CIIE). These experiences sculptured me with a growth mindset and a grateful heart to embrace every new task and opportunity to learn and improve.

Moreover, besides all these splendid projects, the incredible colleagues from Swissnex in China are another treasure. They are tiptop professionals, as well as supportive team players. There is always a positive and warm vibe penetrating the office as if we are working in a united and amicable family. Especially when we host big-scale events, such as the Swiss Alumni China, Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum (SSEIF), seamless teamwork becomes the defining factor.

Meanwhile, both my supervisors, Cissy Sun and Lijun Zhang, have patiently guided me and shared their accumulated industry insights and knowledge, to effectively help me grasp the whole picture and accomplish each task. Due to the political and governmental touch of being the Science Consulate of Switzerland in China, Swissnex exchanges and collaborates closely with the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing and Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai; therefore, this allows me to have a better understanding of how science functions from the high-level strategy and its practical approaches. Plus, thanks to Swissnex's Private Public Partnership model, we get to mingle with "Swiss" related communities on various occasions, and that provides me a kaleidoscope of Swiss culture and Swiss business. Accompanying the past months, "Switzerland" is no longer limited to a country's name to me, and the word itself got amplified continually with more concrete visualization input from my understanding of Switzerland's innovation scenes, science diplomacy, and my encounter with brilliant Swiss colleagues and entrepreneurs.

Indisputably, what I have harvested over the past 11 months is beyond description. The memorable Swissnex experience imperceptibly and profoundly impacts me and my future decision with an expanded horizon in width, height and depth, in every facet of study, career, as well as life planing. I would like to show my genuine gratitude to Swissnex and all my colleagues from the bottom of my heart. The switch from Junior Project Manager to Swissnex Alumni is never a closing period but an endless "Wuji 無極 " loop as a close bond.

Digital Hospitality Adventure, Special Episode: I’m Always Home

By Ruiye Wang, Junior Project Manager - Digital Hospitality

- Words have limited capacity to describe how proud I feel to be part of the Swissnex in China team for the past six months.

Same as my predecessor, Tiantian, I am a senior bachelor student from École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), taking responsibility as the Junior Project Manager - Digital Hospitality at Swissnex in China, working for both EHL and Swissnex in China with 50% workload on each side. My main tasks include CRM, online/offline/hybrid event coordination & support, conducting food tech research for Givaudan, marketing & recruitment activity from the EHL side, and facilitating collaboration between Swissnex in China and EHL.

Entering Swissnex in China was a milestone since I stepped out of my comfort zone. My major is Science of International Hospitality Management, mainly service and management-oriented. My knowledge regarding high tech and innovation is relatively insufficient. However, adventure is never something easy to accomplish. Fortunately, at Swissnex, I have a super supportive team that keeps me motivated and thirsty for new knowledge.

Speaking of some big moments, China International Import Exposure, China Education Expo, and Swiss Education Fair are definitely unforgettable moments that I have had. Especially Swiss Education Fair in Guangzhou was my first business trip going alone and representing Swiss public universities and Swissnex in China to provide audiences with detailed information. Working for Swissnex is one of the best experiences that I have had in my life so far since I have a strong feeling of adding value to our society and strengthening the bonding between Switzerland and China.

My personal development won’t be easily achieved without a supportive team that guided me through all the company and activity information. And thanks to all my colleagues for supporting me tirelessly through these six months whenever I need some wisdom. Since I’m going back to Switzerland to finish my education, I am leaving our office physically. However, Swissnex in China to me is a new home in Shanghai; the connection will remain digitally and spiritually. I am always home.

See You Again

By Suyao Ao, PR & Communications Manager

It’s been two years and two months since I joined Swissnex in China. It feels like time has just flown by. The very first event I participated at Swissnex was Einstein Day at Fudan University. Then after a couple of Café des Sciences lectures, Venture Leaders Fintech, there came the outbreak of COVID-19. During the Spring Festival of 2020, the situation continued to escalate. We started the first few working weeks after the lunar New Year from home.

On February 20, 2020, we put together an online event with two renowned Swiss epidemiologists to address the concerns of our audiences regarding COVID-19. They predicted that the transmission of COVID-19 could be defined as pandemic and that there was a high probability of outbreaks outside China, which turned out to be real within just a few months.

After this first attempt to host a virtual event, we adapted swiftly to virtual and later hybrid event formats. We held the first-ever “Pitchinar” with 20 Swiss startups pitching to the jury panel and industry audiences online; the Café des Sciences lectures went online and later in hybrid formats; we invited representatives from leading Swiss universities and their alumni to share at the virtual version of Einstein Day… Over the past one year and nine months, the Swissnex team has definitely evolved — we have got used to and become great at hosting diversified events on Zoom. The coronavirus has certainly not made it easy for everyone, but I’m grateful to have spent this special period of time with Swissnex. I feel that I’ve also changed a lot myself.

Before joining Swissnex, I have only been to Switzerland a couple of times and my understanding of the country was limited to beautiful landscapes. Through daily Comms work, with the articles, posts, press releases, graphics and videos about Swissnex projects and the Swiss education, research and innovation scene, I have learnt more and become fascinated by the projects and initiatives of the many Swiss researchers, scientists, artists and institutions.

Looking back, there are many great memories, fun and inspiring moments, encounters and friendships which have been developed. I’d like to simply be grateful for everything that has happened. I wish you all the best my dear Swissnex family and I’ll see you again!

A Special Place in My Heart: Journey at Swissnex in China

By Delta Yu Yan, Junior Project Manager – Innovation & Entrepreneurship

In the winter of 2020, being stuck in an artist residency program at The Peace Hotel on the bund without studio visiting allowed, I knew it was time to jump out of this luxury place as well as my comfort zone to refresh my mind.

Swissnex in China offered me an unbelievably wild experience to work in Switzerland’s Science Consulate in China, while I have not had the chance to visit the country. Having a background in Arts, Design, and Social Science at large, this 5-month position of Junior Project Manager in the Innovation and Entrepreneurship team at Swissnex in China has brought me to a broader and more enriching scope of professional works and projects. 

Upon arrival, I was soon fascinated by the diversity, inclusiveness, and potential of accomplishing individual-driven projects embedded in the blood of this vibrant team’s culture. My colleagues coming from a variety of academic and professional backgrounds were in charge of many exciting programs both online and offline and even cross-departmental.

My first hands-on small assignment was hosting China Agri-Food-Tech Bootcamp in March 2021. With the aim of introducing Swiss AgriTech and FoodTech startups to the China market, the Bootcamp involved a wide range of events and stakeholders, including virtual workshops, exclusive pitches, as well as market research reporting. Being a moderator was also a super challenging experience, leading me to take a small bit in the field of agricultural technology for the very first time and get familiar with those pioneering startups that we work closely in the future.

Later I had more opportunities to be involved and offer assistance in many other programs, such as Swiss Alumni China, Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum and Swisstech Pitchinar 2021. One of the highlights was the Consumer Technology & Innovation Show at Shanghai New International Expo Centre in June. From pavilion design to construction site, from startup selection to award winners, from communication to negotiation, from Switzerland to China, from online to offline, this start-to-end process was overwhelming but extremely rewarding, teaching me to accomplish multiple tasks more creatively and independently.

Joining Swissnex in China was my best gap-year experience during this uncertain time in my life. I will always miss the family-like community vibe, as well as the edge-cutting programs engaged by my wonderful colleagues!

Never Say Goodbye

By Lefei Chen, Junior Project Manager - Academic Relations

On March 1st, 2021, after nearly one-month quarantine, I started my internship at Swissnex in China. For me, this is not only my first job after graduation but also the continuation of a strong connection with Switzerland. I still remember how relieved I felt to be able to work normally as pre-pandemic time. Eating out together, team outings, hybrid conferences, webinars, etc., so many amazing memories emerged within the 6 months, and I was so lucky to be welcomed by kindness and be embraced with solidarity.

Different from my past working experiences which are mostly about conducting desk research, this position is much more vibrant, diverse, and interactive with a broader scope. I got the chance to follow up the whole process of a large-scale project including checking the venues, prepare and control logistics, liaison with participants, inviting stakeholders from academia, industries and government. I am honored to represent Switzerland and participated in many influential exhibitions and conferences to showcase frontier Swiss technologies and to connect Switzerland, China and the world in science, research, education and innovation. Though sometimes the work is intense, as a team we can always cooperate to excel!

The past 6 months were quick but unforgettable. I believe Swissnex has empowered me with enough energy and confidence to start my early-stage career life.

From EHL to Swissnex

By Tiantian Xiao, Junior Project Manager – Digital Hospitality

My experience at Swissnex is beyond my expectations. After five months at Swissnex in China, it is difficult for me to imagine how I will feel if I do not come to the office on a daily routine anymore.

I am a third year student from École hôtelière de Lausanne (EHL), majoring in international hospitality management. My position is a joint program between EHL and Swissnex in China. I work 50% for EHL, contributing to the APAC marketing & recruitment activities. For the other 50%, I work for Swissnex in China as a Junior Project Manager, facilitating various online/offline activities, managing CRM, and conducting research. It is also my great pleasure to be the first person to start this role!

My focus is on the hotel, food and beverage, marketing, real estate, and finance industry, and my science and technology knowledge is quite limited compared to my hospitality-related focus. Therefore, working for Swissnex was a challenge for me as it was out of my comfort zone. As a Junior Project Manager – Digital Hospitality, I have supported many online and offline events, such as Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum, Swiss Alumni China, Consumer Technology & Innovation Show. I have acquired a tremendous amount of knowledge towards cutting-edge technologies in various fields by supporting these activities.

Additionally, I have also contributed to the CRM management at Swissnex in China. I was impressed by the rich network of Swissnex, and it was my pleasure to organize the system. These contacts are valuable assets to the organization. Moreover, I was also delighted to facilitate the exchange between EHL and Swissnex in China. I conducted interviews with two EHL professors regarding the digital trends in the Asian hospitality industry. The interview is published on nextrends Asia, a platform showcasing upcoming education, research, innovation and policy trends and opportunities from the Asian region by Swissnex. I am glad that I could also add a hospitality perspective to the Swissnex network. So to all the new team members, please do not be shy of bringing new ideas to the team!

The working environment at Swissnex is very friendly. I feel that right away on my first day. The Swissnex in China team is vibrant, and all team members are supportive. I was lucky to participate in several group activities, including the Spring Reception, where I made dumplings with two colleagues from the consulate. We also went on a team-building trip to the art museum, and I heard that the previous team-building activity was escape rooms. There were also some activities after work. For example, we went for a stand-up paddle & canoe and murder mystery game. The experiences were amazing!

I want to say a big thank you to all team members, and it is my great pleasure to meet you and work with you!

Starting with the Love from swissnex China

Zhangtong Cheng, Junior Project Manager of Art-Science

Time flies. The first day I came to swissnex China feels like yesterday. I was thrilled to get the offer on a summer afternoon. My six months’ experience here was far beyond my expectation.

Working as a Junior Project Manager of Art-Science here brought me into a brand-new field.

Besides fulfilling my dream of working in an artistic area, I have also learned a lot about scientific innovation in arts, especially the application of AI in arts. I was impressed by the beauty of technology as well as the immense possibilities brought to the future of arts. Moreover, by working on projects such as the opening ceremony of the photo exhibition “Between Mountains, Hills and Lakes” and Yangtze River Delta International Cultural Industries Expo, I got to know the great efforts behind the scene. Among my tasks, hosting zoom webinars was the most challenging but also one of the most interesting parts for me. After seven editions of the Café des Science event including curating the January edition in 2021, the project management process which was so abstract for me at the very beginning is no longer an obstacle.

I have enjoyed going to the office every day. Sitting by the window of the 22nd floor, I have enjoyed many gorgeous sunsets and thousands of shapes of clouds. I was spoiled by the cakes and chocolates in the office. More importantly, I was so lucky to work with such a nice team. All my colleagues are super sweet and warm. Apart from professional skills, I have also harvested positive energy here. I had the most pleasant team outing ever. I could never forget the romance of sharing “office-made” vin chaud for Christmas Day. I would always be grateful for the love I have received here.

swissnex China is caring mentor for me in my early career stage, accepting my imperfections and helping make me a better person. I would miss the office and the team, even the weekly staff meeting. I wish I could carry on with all the treasures I have gained from swissnex China. And all the best for everyone.

Encountering Switzerland: Five Months with swissnex and Beyond

By Mianmian Fei, Junior Project Manager - Academic Relations

It all started in an ordinary afternoon on May 20, 2020. After weeks of draining online classes and mundane life in my dormitory in Geneva under the COVID-19 restrictions, I encountered a job post on my school’s employment portal about an opening for the Junior Project Manager of Academic Relations at swissnex China. Immediately after a quick look, I had already known this was something I would like to give a try. Before opting for my current master’s in anthropology and sociology here at IHEID in Switzerland, my alternative plan was to enter the field of higher education administration in the U.S., where I did my bachelor’s. Moreover, I aspire to gain some real-world professional experience before proceeding my studies, as going into graduate school without ever working full-time was something I regretted when looking back. 

Fast-forward to July 7, 2020. Fortunately, after three rounds of interviews and assignment, I received a positive result regarding my application. However, I now found that going back to China for the position was not an easy decision to make, as it meant to postpone my graduation date for half a year, find a reliable subtenant for my dorm room, and, worst of the worst, undergo a 14-day centralized quarantine after landing in Shanghai. It was a debate between what I want and what I am willing to give up. In the end, I left Switzerland in early September with an overweight suitcase but a buoyant mind looking forward to embracing a novel working life as well as a sense of familiarity in my homeland after five years of studying overseas. 

Centralized quarantine in a small hotel room.

Although the quarantine was not fun at all, the following five months at swissnex were worthwhile enough to counteract the psychological trauma caused by the isolation. First of all, I am very lucky to join such a friendly and loving team and work under the guidance of my amazing supervisor Libing. Another highlight is that I think I have learned more about Switzerland at swissnex than during the year I physically spent in the country. Well, it is not because I ate more cheese and drank more wine, but because my position has exposed me to a variety of people and experience relevant to Switzerland, especially its higher education system. From the Connected Series bridging Swiss and Chinese researchers, to the Swiss Alumni China Soirée engaging alumni working in different fields, to the nex20 campaign picturing the potential role of Switzerland twenty years later, I got to not only discover the most cutting-edge innovation in Switzerland, but also meet and communicate with top talents in the country.

My first Connected Series webinar thanks to the guidance of Libing and Sherry. 

I have to admit that in the past year I had indulged a bit too much in the bubble of my school while ignoring what the larger community could possibly offer. Now on the verge of returning back to Switzerland for my second year’s studies, I realized that swissnex has bestowed me with a different mindset than how I thought before my departure in the first year. Rather than overly concerned about my coursework, I now have developed a strong desire to make best use of my time in Switzerland, to explore the gorgeous nation more, learn French better and make friends with Swiss people from all walks of life. Going further, I believe my time with swissnex has shaped me into a more curious and eclectic person, an experience I will carry on in life.

Farewell Party together with another JPM Yifan.

Days at swissnex China: From COVID-19 to new normal

By Yifan Li, Junior Project Manager - Innovation & Entrepreneurship

I could have never imagined. Nobody could.

It was a rainy night in Shanghai on August 28th, 2020. The rain was heavy enough to delay the schedules of flights. I arrived in Shanghai alone after midnight with a bulky 23-inch suitcase and a clumsy backpack. The time on the shuttle bus felt like forever. After COVID-19 broke out, all of my well-planned future blueprints were gone. But I had to move on.

The Venture Leaders China 2020 Virtual Demo Days, my first big assignment at swissnex China, were set on September 14th and 15th. “Aha,” I thought, “their exciting trip to China had to be cancelled as well. I gotta try my best to help.” With the combined efforts from swissnex China, Venture Lab, and the startups, the event was a success.

Later I had more chances to be involved in programs that facilitate the market entry of Swiss startups to China, including Venture Leaders Fintech 2020, China Agri-Food-Tech Bootcamp 2021, startup success stories and handbook for Swiss startup with information about Sino-Swiss startup accelerators and company registration process for Swiss startups in China etc.

Joining swissnex China in early September was a ‘lucky’ move – two team outings were arranged in late September and late October. It was my first time taking an autonomous car. It was my first time being chased around by a real-human NPC while screaming to death in a horror-themed escape room. It was my first time having raclette. It was my first time cooking with a chef. It felt so nice to be part of a lovely group and meet new interesting people. Though it was a shame that we had to cancel some activities “thanks to” COVID again, this virus no longer bothered me that much.

The Swiss Ball, CIIE 2020, and Christmas fondue brunch should be highlighted, too. Well, there are many others also should be highlighted, but in that case, I will not be able to finish this in days.

I had not had a real smile for months before coming to swissnex China. The pandemic-imposed gap year almost had me undervalue every aspect of myself, but the truth is that I still can prepare for events, write reports, support others, build relationships, contribute to teams, do my own side projects, and enjoy my life!

COVID is terrible but it cannot take everything away from us. With the Spring Festival of the Year of Ox approaching, I think I am ready to embark on new challenges. Though I am not sure how things will evolve, I am sure I will be able to handle them. 

From Meat Alternatives to Space Debris - My Amazing Experience at swissnex

By Tobias Bolli, Junior Project Manager - Academic Relations

The world was still whole when, back in January, I started working at swissnex. No temperature controls, no health codes, no masks required. Looking back, it seems like a different era, a distant past. Nevertheless, I can still vividly remember touring the swissnex office for the first time and the iconic swissnex panda welcoming me at my desk. Even though the airflow directed towards that desk was sending a chilly feeling down my spine, the reception was all but chilly with a welcoming workplace atmosphere engulfing me. I appreciated quickly becoming an integral part of the team and, frankly, being thrown into cold water on a couple of occasions. The pace was fast, things needed to get done, and in my second week I already executed my first event – a physical one with actual people turning up. Revolving around satellites capturing space debris, it couldn’t have been much cooler.

Soon everything changed, and an invisible thing started to take over the world. This meant a lot of home office, and Shanghai turning into a ghost town with deserted streets and no people to be seen even in the busiest of places (I will never forget riding the subway during rush hour with literally nobody but me on the train). As case numbers rose, we adapted quickly and switched our events from offline to online. The pandemic had its good sides too. All of a sudden, we had access not just to speakers near our venue, but to people from all over the world, being able to cherry-pick the best. It was fun organizing and conducting these events, I got to start a new webinar series and served as the moderator for a webinar almost entirely of my own making. 

And then there was the trend reports – so many trend reports. I appreciate being given the space to suggest and explore topics of my own and immerse myself in distributed work, meat alternatives, and, just to name another one, the outright revolution China´s digital currency will trigger. Oh, and I more than enjoyed talking to my fellow interns, indulging in topics as obscure as the flatness of the universe and the mysteries of consciousness – doesn´t get much better than that. (Or maybe it does, considering that I also got to discuss mechanical watches and managed to force at least two interns to listen to Bach, which certainly ranks among my proudest achievements). 

Pandemic of a lifetime notwithstanding, it has been an experience I enjoyed a lot and a very instructive and enriching one. Leaving Shanghai won´t be easy, but I know that it hasn´t been the last time. 再见swissnex, 再见上海！

Encounters in Shanghai: From the highest-ranking to the most famous Swiss

By Florian Moeri, Project Coordinator at swissnex China

In September 2019 I started my work in Shanghai as a Junior Project Manager. Now, almost a year later, my adventure at swissnex China is coming to an end. It was an incredibly beautiful and rewarding time!

With my work background at SERI, it was enriching to experience "Switzerland" abroad and see how others perceive it. I was able to witness how our activities in education, research and innovation bring people and institutions together. The interaction of Switzerland as the "innovation world champion" with China's high-tech ambitions and its great scientific and economic potential is extremely fascinating!

From left to right: visit of Malin Borg, Head of unit swissnex Network; visit of a delegation with Isabelle Moret, President of the National Council of Switzerland (highest-ranking Swiss); swissnex China team during the anual Team Retreat.

In the first half of the year, I worked mainly on the planning of our CRM, which is an important tool in terms of our mission "connecting the dots" and will also serve internally as the basis for the annual activity reports. After evaluating what a practical and functioning CRM must have and asking the Heads of Divisions about their needs, I developed a corresponding system. In this, all connections to contacts and organizations (>12'000 qualitative entries) and our events should be recorded with all detailed information. In addition, I worked on improving the general event workflow and developing best practices. Another highlight was the coordination of the Science & Technology Diplomatic Circle, an association of members from diplomatic missions in the Shanghai area. With the event "Build an Empowering Business Ecosystem" I was also able to conduct the first webinar version of the event series "Fireside Chat". Lucas Rondez, the founder and CEO of nihub Innovation Center, shared his experience and knowledge about the Chinese market and outlined his understanding of an open ecosystem in a fast-growing environment.

“Café des Sciences 18: MaskTech – Science Revolution for Global Health”; a hybrid event with Celine Huang (CEO for Greater China at HeiQ) as on-site speaker.

In the second half of the year, and thus after the COVID-19 outbreak, I concentrated on the implementation of the CRM system into daily business, through personal support and written guidelines. At the same time, I had the opportunity to build an HR system from scratch. On computer and mobile phone, employees can now check-in and out independently, have an overview of their data and balance sheets, and apply for and approve home office, holidays and overtime. In June I was allowed to plan, promote and moderate the first on-site activity after the virus: The 18th edition of our Café des Sciences focused on MaskTech. With additional viewers on Zoom, it was also our first hybrid event ever. Speakers included representatives from HeiQ, Celine Huang (CEO for Greater China) onsite and Carlo Centonze (CEO) online. The ETH Zurich spin-off was recently named one of the 50 best companies of the year 2020 by “The Silicon Review”.

In addition to my main tasks I was allowed to take on many other functions: Host and co-host at webinars, promotion of Swiss universities at Fudan University, responsibility for jury communication - and evaluation at our SwissTech Pitchinar 2020, to name just a few. With extensive research and a report I also helped to prepare for the World Skills 2021 in Shanghai. The the world championships of vocational skills are most likely going to be the biggest competition in history. I will have particularly fond memories of the visit by Malin Borg (Head of unit swissnex Network). It was certainly exciting to present and discuss the daily activities at swissnex China (initiated and co-financed by SERI).

From left to right: tour on the Huangpu Riverside Bike Trail; Shanghai’s financial district (Lujiazui), photographed from the West Bund; office view at a cloudy sunset.

The dynamics in Shanghai, “Paris of the East”, are unique: a city of youth, trade and international rhythm that runs through all the side streets and the riverside promenades along the Bund. Photo shootings at brunch, big discussions about everything that touches life, art exhibitions, Korean spa, crowded metros, concerts under bridges, (spicy) hotpots, dog walks, cooking evenings, Fabric Market, Roger Federer (probably the most famous Swiss) at the Shanghai Masters... the list is endless.

From left to right: Zhangjiajie Glass Bridge; Ancient City Wall in Xi’an; Mingxi in Fujian Province; Zhangjiajie Mountains.

To conclude, I would like to thank Felix and swissnex China for this opportunity and the trust placed in me to work for swissnex’ mission. Another big thank you to the core team, who touched me with their sincerity and kindness. Their wealth of experience in work and life in Shanghai was unparalleled: from organizing medical checks, explaining Chinese culture and idiosyncrasies to ordering tea on Taobao for the family back home. And, last but not least, I would like to thank my fellow interns who have become good friends. I will never forget our trips to flowery coffee shops, windy rooftops, entertaining karaoke bars and even the Heavenly Pillar in Zhangjiajie.

再见，上海！

(See you again, Shanghai!)

From masks to sincere smiles – swissnex China Experience

By Duy Nguyen, Junior Project Manager - Innovation & Entrepreneurship

What an experience! The last 6 months spent as Junior Project Manager at swissnex China went quick as lightning. In February 2020, during the peak of the pandemic, I started my internship in the Innovation & Entrepreneurship team. My first day was not the most pleasant moment during my internship as most of my colleagues were working remotely and the ones in the office needed to respect some social distancing. But as far as the days passed, the masks fell and the smiles showed up!

I am very pleased to have been part of a highly dynamic and innovative team that connects Switzerland and China, two countries that are linked to me by blood and mind. One of my highlights was the organization of the first-of-its-kind Swisstech Pitchinar, online pitching in webinar format held on Zoom. The event received overwhelming interest with more than 950 registrants with a strong interest in Swiss technology and innovation. I feel very happy to have contributed to the success of the program and am proud to have helped to showcase Switzerland’s innovative edge to China. The experiences I have acquired at swissnex China helped me to grow and I am sure it will continue to serve me in the future.

Besides work, I also had the opportunities to learn and experience a lot about Chinese culture, language, food, and nightlife. I would like to thank everyone and especially my colleagues who become now some close friends for sharing some paths of my adventure, some travels around the different cities in China, some intense discussions around delicious food in the middle of the streets, some new dance moves at the highest rooftops... Those good stories and moments are part of the best episodes during my internship so far!

All good time has an end.

Shanghai! I am sure that we will see us again in the future. So, I will not say goodbye to you… but see you soon!

Duy

Goodbye - Newsletters, Webinars and New Friends in Shanghai

By Nicole Jucker, Junior Project Manager Science Outreach & Diplomacy

In November 2019 I started my internship at swissnex China as Junior Project Manager for Science Outreach and Diplomacy. A World pandemic and countless Zoom webinars later, 8 months have come to an end. Time flies and sadly its time to say goodbye. 

Overwhelmed with my assignments at the beginning, I was able to settle in fast.  With the team retreat on my second day at swissnex and the New year event after the first couple of weeks, I had a splendid start into my internship. My main tasks were both Science Newsletters, the coordination of the Science Diplomatic Circle Shanghai, and helping to organize some other events.  I was grateful for the help of all the collogues that never hesitated to help me or give me some advice. This internship gave me an insight into many fields and topics outside of conventional science and a deep dive into the Startup world. From Space debris removal to mask- tech over Neobanking, I experienced and learned a lot while connecting the dots between China and Switzerland.

During my time I had the chance to learn and experience a lot more about Chinese culture, Chinas geography, and convenience. Despite an ongoing Epidemic that started early this year, I consider the last 8 months as one of the best so far. I made new friends, traveled to new places, tried new food, and gained new life skills in this fast-moving environment. I am extremely thankful for these past 8 months in Shanghai, and for the people I met and was able to share so many good stories and moments.

Zàijiàn for now, I'll be back!

Nicole

swissnex China Experience, Camaraderie and Beyond

By Percy Chen, Art-Science Junior Project Manager (Aug 2019 - May 2020)

In August 2019, I started my work as the Art-Science Junior Project Manager at swissnex China. Today I am close to finishing my internship. I want to share one of my best working experiences step by step to serve as a testimonial for swissnex China and all newcomers who are interested.  

The highlight would be the 2020 New Year Café des Sciences: IoT & Organic Waste. One month before the event, the art-science team was notified that the January Café des Sciences will be combined into a New Year Event and it will take place in the office. This gave us a different direction in terms of event planning. Cissy, Head of Art-Science, and I brainstormed three key elements to achieve: ambitious setting, past & future, and gratitude.

From left to right: Stéphane Vernède, CEO of Enwise (Keynote Speaker); Percy Chen, Art-Science Junior Project Manager; Cissy Yiwen Sun, Head of Art-Science; Christopher Salvito, Swatch Art Peace Hotel Residency artist (live performer); Felix Moesner, Science Consul & CEO at swissnex China.

Needless to say, for a New Year Event where we invite core community members, partners, and stakeholders, an ambitious setting is necessary. Since the venue is already set in stone, we focused on other facets to convey the element for as much as possible. We invited Malin Borg, Head of Unit at swissnex Network, as a VIP guest, elevating the event with global vision. Additionally, we hosted Nicoletta Favari & Christopher Salvito, Swatch Art Peace Hotel Residency artists, for a live performance on experimental music. A bold move for sure but one that fits swissnex China’s unorthodox and innovative culture.

Malin Borg, Head of Unit swissnex Network

Christopher Salvito, Swatch Art Peace Hotel Residency artist (live performer)

Moving on to past & future, we wanted to plan something that could showcase the growth of Café des Sciences and swissnex China throughout 2019. We invited all 19 past Café des Sciences speakers for short updates on their projects. As a result, 5 speakers were available to come in real life and 2 speakers sent us a video recap, covering the milestones of this event series. Moreover, collecting data and information on key achievements of swissnex China in 2019, we complied clear and concise slides to share how much the organization has grown. On the other hand, aligning the event topic with swissnex China’s focus on innovation and sustainability for 2020, we invited Stéphane Vernède, CEO of Enwise, an environmental organization working with organic waste digester, as the keynote speaker.

Ying Liu, Assistant Professor Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Alumna HEC Lausanne (Café des Sciences #1: Shadow Banking in China Speaker)

Hao Hua, Associate Professor Architecture at Southeast University, Doctor of Science ETH Zurich (Café des Sciences #7: From Architectural Anthropology to Digital Fabrication Speaker)

Stéphane Vernède, CEO of Enwise (Keynote Speaker)

Finally and most important of all, we are grateful. The Café des Sciences event series started out as an experimental format and has now grown into an open platform for knowledge exchange as well as communication. We wanted to take this precious opportunity to give back to the community, for it has not only established great standards, but also shaped the trajectory of the Café des Sciences series for the better. Thus, tracking back to past attendance data, I compiled a sustainable master Excel sheet to indicate the most passionate audiences and prepared community gifts for those well deserved.

The beloved Jina Zhu attended six Café des Sciences events, getting the third place award.

Zhengyu Peng, attended nine Café des Sciences events, even more than most of my colleagues, getting the first place award.

The event was an astounding success. 80+ attendance showed up, almost packing up the entire office event space. The story was later picked up by Global Times Metro Shanghai section, spreading the mission of swissnex China through news channels.

In closing, I am grateful that swissnex China have the privilege of helping to foster an atmosphere of learning, teambuilding, and camaraderie. Specifically, I want to thank Cissy Sun for guiding me through different events, professional encounters, and life in general. I want to thank Tobias for the interesting discussions we had on chess, UFC, video games, and philosophy. Last but not least, I want to thank the chill Niccolò, the charming Anna, the playful Marvin, the reliable Florian, the entrepreneurial Duy, the cool Nicole, and the petite Nan for the close knitted friendships we have nurtured together. Alongside my professional growth, these will be the experience I take away and value the most.

A trip to Zhangjiajie with my dear friends

Connecting Switzerland and China in the field of Energy Innovation

By Marvin Grass, Junior Project Manager - Energy Innovation

In October 2019 I started as a Junior Project Manager and now, seven months later, sadly, time has come to say goodbye. I very much enjoyed my work in Shanghai and spending time with the swissnex crew!

My main tasks were related to the Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum. Creating a website and a more detailed program were the first tasks. Then I had to research potential candidates to invite to the forum. I found many innovative Swiss startups which have exciting technologies: Efficient solar cells, fuel cells, physical energy storage and grid management are amongst them.

I was able to meet energy experts from Switzerland which gave me interesting insights into their area of expertise, such as Matthias Sulzer from EMPA. I accompanied Swiss professors to Chinese universities to check whether a collaboration could be fruitful. Visiting potential venues for the forum and finding a partner with Tongji University was interesting since these universities are much bigger compared to Swiss universities and have beautiful campuses.

Unfortunately, the Sino-Swiss Energy Innovation Forum had to be postponed due to COVID-19, which is a pity. China is an important market for renewable energy companies since it is the largest investor in renewables in the world with a share of over 50% and I believe many Chinese companies will deploy renewable energy projects in the greater region. Therefore, Swiss companies can find experienced global energy leaders in China. Switzerland and China have good researchers which could solve energy related problems, so I hope there will be an opportunity to connect the researchers in the near future.

Let’s hope there will soon be a solution to resume our normal lives and activities despite the virus. I will certainly miss the delicious lunch near the swissnex office and my colleagues with whom I ate, laughed and spent quality time with. To all the people I met during my time at swissnex China, I wish only the best in 2020!

Jiayou swissnex China: Farewell Blog from Niccolò Schlueb

By Niccolò Schlueb, Junior Project Manager Innovation & Entrepreneurship

In September last year I started my work as Junior Project Manager in the department of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It feels like the last 6 months passed in a heartbeat and now I am sitting in the plane home and writing my farewell blog.

I still remember that I was fairly nervous during my first few days. My first task was to design a website for the Asian Consumer Electronics Show (CES), something I had never done before. Luckily, the swissnex China team welcomed me warmly and everybody was happy to help whenever I needed advice. This really made it easy for me to settle in and adjust to the fast-paced working environment in Shanghai. Two weeks into work, I was already involved in the planning of market validation and entry camps for two Swiss startups. I arranged meetings with possible business partners, customers and distributors for the CEOs of Insolight and Faitron. My project leader Simin made sure that I was always up to date on everything that happened around our busy department. Thanks to her, my tasks for swissnex China were plentiful and diverse.

One of my highlights was the Venture Leaders Fintech Program in Hong Kong, a weeklong roadshow showcasing Switzerland’s top startups in banking and financing innovation. I joined the program with meetings during the day and pitching events in the evening. I supported the coordination of the ten startups’ appearance at the Fintech Conference. Furthermore, I was trusted with the organization of one of our satellite events and the highlight of the program: The startups were competing for the swissnex China innovation award and pitched their ideas in front of over 100 invited guests and a high-class jury on the 100th floor of the ICC – Hong Kong’s tallest skyscraper. I feel happy to have contributed to the success of the program and am proud to have helped promote Switzerland’s innovative edge in the center of the emerging fintech markets.

Next to numerous insightful encounters and all the bridges that we have helped build between China and Switzerland, I am most grateful for having had the possibility to work with so many inspiring and wonderful people. All the memories and the experiences I have acquired at swissnex China will certainly continue to serve me in the future. Jiayou swissnex China!

Once Upon a Time in Shanghai 新上海滩

By Rahel Gruber, Head of Operations, Co-Deputy CEO

It is hard to believe that two years have passed since I joined swissnex China in March 2018. From the first day on, I felt like I was part of a big family. During my time at swissnex China, I had the incredible honor to collaborate with 12 precious colleagues and to guide 29 bright young professionals through their journey in my role as Head of Operations and Co-Deputy CEO. It is the people behind swissnex China, who build the bridges between Switzerland and China, and who make any visitor feel welcome from the moment she/he sets foot in our office. I am deeply grateful for these priceless encounters (not to mention all the meals we shared, the endless KTV nights, the Shanghai odysseys etc.), as it was the people and the shared spirit that made my stay unforgettable.

Being an integral part of swissnex China provided me with the unique chance to immerse myself in the world of Science Diplomacy in one of the most dynamic and exciting countries in the world. I have always had a particular fascination and passion for China, a place full of mysteries, surprises and beauty. My engagement made me see China from a new angle and opened my eyes to all the opportunities lying not only within its size, but also within its people and their ideas. At home, I hear the same question over and over again: Why should innovators and researchers go to China? My answer is simple: In China, the potential to achieve something great is much bigger than the risk, if you get to talk to the right people. And this is what we do, we connect people and their ideas. Connecting the dots between Switzerland and China in education, research and innovation, swissnex China brings us a step closer to a brighter future. It was my pleasure to support swissnex China in its mission to find synergies and to help translate them into something tangible and sustainable.

Needless to say, being active in China also means facing plenty of challenges. Some of my personal highlights turned out to be some of the biggest trials for me as well as for the team, demanding a great deal of joint efforts in terms of creativity, patience and flexibility. My most memorable moments included the 10th anniversary celebration of swissnex China with Swiss Federal Councilor Johann N. Schneider-Ammann, where we fought not only against time, but also the Shanghai rain; our involvement at the Swiss Pavilion during CIIE 2018, where we had to manage a crowd of cheese and chocolate lovers; The Future of Money: Brilliance in Fintech 2019, where everything to the last detail had to be perfect for the official visit of our former President Ueli Maurer; The Drone Race during the Swiss Innovation Week 2019 at the Embassy of Switzerland in China, where we organized the first-ever live drone race in an embassy compound, and many more. In a nutshell: The bigger the challenge, the more rewarding the outcome! Other initiatives such as the Café des Sciences series, which I had the chance to host numerous times (même en français!), or the many university delegation visits made my journey complete.

Lastly, I would like to take this opportunity to thank not only the entire swissnex China team including my amazing mentor Felix as well as my desk neighbor Danli, but also the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai (Françoise and Sophie in particular), our headquarters SERI in Bern (special thanks to Malin), the swissnex Network, the Embassy of Switzerland in China, all the partners, universities, alumni, guests and friends of swissnex China, for inspiring me and for making my Shanghai story an exceptional chapter of my personal and professional life that I will never forget. I look forward to keeping connected with all of you!

What an Enriching Work Experience at swissnex China!

By Nicola Hofer, Junior Project Manager - Academic Relations

What an adventure! The last 6 months as Junior Project Manager at swissnex China went by like a flash. I am very pleased to have been part of a highly dynamic and innovative team that connects Switzerland and China in the fields of education, research and innovation. I was mainly responsible for the area of academic relations. swissnex China officially represents all Swiss higher education institutions in China. It was a privilege to be involved in building and deepening numerous partnerships.

In addition to building expertise, I take home many beautiful and exciting memories with our partners/team members. One of the highlights was the “Einstein Day” at Fudan University, where I was given the opportunity to introduce the Swiss higher education system. In addition, the many in-house events were particularly rewarding, such as the newly created Science Diplomacy event series. It not only offered a lot of content, but also proved to be an opportunity to make new acquaintances. In general, the business environment was extremely enriching and dynamic, with English, Chinese, French and German as the working languages.

The experiences I have acquired at swissnex China will continue to serve me in the future. As an alumnus, I look forward to being able to further promote the great advantages of swissnex China.