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!)