EU-China Managers 10-Month Exchange and Training Programme. By Dr. Stefan Hell

Back to the contents

“Economic exchange is at the core of the European Union’s bilateral relationships with China. Among our initiatives, the EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme (METP), which the European Union jointly offers with the People’s Republic of China, stands out as a key catalyst for economic and cultural transformation. By training professionals from Chinese businesses in Europe and, in turn, offering EU professionals primarily from Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) the opportunity to learn Business Chinese in China and furthermore gain valuable practical experience, the METP programme has helped lay the foundation for even closer relations between the EU and China in the future. After all, language training, combined with an in-depth knowledge of Chinese culture and Chinese business practice enhances business, which is more often than not impeded by a lack of cultural and linguistic understanding.”

                                           Ambassador Serge Abou 
Head of Delegation of the European Commission to China

Despite the strong coverage China has received through the Beijing Olympics, the country and its business culture remains unknown to most European managers. To be successful in China, one needs a profound knowledge of economy, culture and business ethics. And this is what METP offers applicants. At the same time, the programme functions as a platform where Europeans and Chinese meet and build long-term relationships – the basic foundation for successful business in China.

Built within the dynamic context of continuously developing relations between the EU and China, the non-profit METP will enhance business expertise by developing European and Chinese human resources. It provides support for exchange and training support to Chinese and European managers. The programme is implemented by the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) in close consultation with the Ministry of Commerce on the Chinese side and the European Commission Delegation in China on the European side.

METP - Fields of Activities
-Training of Chinese managers
-Training of European managers
-Development of intercultural capacities and skills
-Cooperation with EUCMA – the Alumni Association
-Capacity building for Chinese institutions

METP is divided into four intakes, each lasting ten months. Intake 3 started in October 2008. Application deadline for intake 4 is 4 January 2009. At the beginning of each training intake, selected European and Chinese managers will jointly participate in a 2-week intercultural training in China.

After the intercultural training, selected European managers will receive seven months of full-time Business Chinese language training at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing, attend specially tailored seminars and workshops on cultural and business issues, and undergo a three-month internship to gain work experience in a Chinese environment.

Selected Chinese managers will receive seven weeks of tailor-made management training at three leading European business schools:

- Manchester Metropolitan University Business School at their campus in Manchester (United Kingdom);
- ESCP-EAP, European School of Management at their campuses in Paris (France) and Turin (Italy); and
- Solvay Business School at Free University Brussels (Belgium)

Different from standard MBA programmes, the training in Europe will focus on practical skills and networking rather than academic skills. After the management training, the Chinese managers will undergo 7-21 week internships in European companies in any EU member states to further their understanding of the business practice in Europe.

The total funding to the Programme in four years will be 23,000,000 Euro, of which the contribution of the European Commission is 17,200,000 Euro. The Chinese side will provide financial contributions of 3,450,000 Euro and/or in-kind contributions to the counter-value of 2,350,000 Euro.

Intake 3 started in October 2008.  Application deadline for intake 4 is January 4th, 2009. Training starts 18 May 2009. For further information about the program, financial information  and how to apply please visit the METP website at www.metp.net.cn (METP4: Call For Application) or contact the METP hotline at +49 69 15402 638.

NB Deadline for applying: 4 January 2009 (18.00 Beijing Time).

Stefan Hell
METP Team Leader in Beijing

Back to the contents