The Eastern China Alumni Network (ECAN) Dinner in Shanghai was held on 17 November 2007, at JW Marriott Hotel, Shanghai. Organized by NUS Business School, the event saw more than 100 alumni from Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang take part in the evening's program. Joining them were about 40 current UCLA-NUS EMBA students who were doing their segment in Shanghai. A light-hearted affair, the buffet-styled dinner kicked off with an opening speech by Director of GANO, Mr Aw Beng Teck, who spoke about the diversity of the NUS alumni community and the importance of the alumni network. The NUS team from Singapore also included Director of Graduate Studies, Mr Lim Yue Wen; Academic Director of UCLA-NUS EMBA, Associate Professor Jochen Wirtz, and Academic Director of APEX-C MBA, Associate Professor Chen Renbao. Of special mention at the dinner were alumni Mr Francis Yuen (BBA Hons 1981, MBA 1992), President, Trane Asia; Mr Wong Soon Hwa (BBA 1980), Vice President & General Manager, Asia & Japan, Hertz International, and Ms Janet Ang (BBA 1982), Vice President, Global Desktop Business Unit, Lenovo. The dinner served as an excellent opportunity for candidates of the ECAN Executive Committee to introduce themselves and share their interests in serving the chapter. Voting was done on-line in December, resulting in an Executive Committee of nine elected and nine co-opted directors. The dinner also allowed Mr Calvin Yan, Director of the NUS Business School Shanghai Office, to share on the latest developments of the school's China alumni network, including the formation of the Eastern China Network, which joins the existing Northern and Southern China networks. "This gathering is a really good event to link NUS and its alumni in Eastern China. I met many familiar faces, as well as made some new friends," said Senior Manager of China Program, Smith School of Business, Mr Zheng Xu (MBA 1995). "It was an honor to witness the launch of Eastern China Alumni network of NUS Business School. The school not only brought us knowledge in the past, but also helps us to build up an international community in China now." Another alumnus, Managing Director-Greater China, Microsoft Corporation, Mr Maurice Tan (BBA 1991) said, "I am very pleased to learn that we now have an Alumni Chapter in Shanghai. It was great to see old friends again as well as forge new friendship with fellow alumni from various industries. The diverse nationalities of alumni represented in the room speak of the expanding scope and attraction of the school to beyond Singapore and Asia." Ending the dinner on a high note, one lucky guest walked away with the top prize of a car rental, with the kind sponsorship of Hertz International (China) and arrangements made by Mr Wong. Where JW Marriott Hotel Shanghai When 17 November 2007, 7pm View Photo Gallery "This gathering is a really good event to link NUS and its alumni in Eastern China. I met many familiar faces, as well as made some new friends." ~ Mr Zheng Xu (MBA 1995)