Senior Diplomats Visit International Student Projects
Insight China, Focus India and exploreASEAN welcomed high-ranking guests to their seminars at the FHNW School of Business in Olten.
During the International Student Projects’ seminars in Switzerland from 14-18 February 2022, the projects were honoured to receive visits from Ambassador Wang Shihting from the Embassy of the People's Republic of China to Switzerland, Ambassador Sanjay Bhattacharyya from the Embassy of India to Switzerland, and The Principality of Liechtenstein, Minister-Counsellor La Wonchang from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Swiss Confederation and Counsellor Ekaphat Premyodhin from the Royal Thai Embassy, Bern.
The Insight China project was honoured to welcome Ambassador Wang Shihting to the seminar. The Ambassador presented some applications of the latest digital technologies to the Insight China Seminar, highlighting examples from the current Olympic Winter Games in Beijing as well as the world’s first 5G livestreaming studio on a high-speed bullet train. Even though travel to China is currently severely limited, he warmly welcomed the students to visit China one day to truly experience the country.
The Focus India project team, delegation, and staff were honoured to welcome His Excellency Ambassador Designate Sanjay Bhattacharyya at the FHNW campus in Olten. After updating the participants on India’s successful response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ambassador emphasised Indo-Swiss collaboration. India sees Switzerland as a long-term partner, which is supported by academic collaboration and specialised projects such as Focus India.
The Counsellor at the Royal Thai Embassy to Switzerland, Ekaphat Premyodhin, presented interesting insights into Thailand focusing on economic aspects and, among other things, presented the new post-COVID-19 Tourism Strategy called “Amazing New Chapters – Visit Thailand in 2022”. It was a pleasure to have him present at the seminar.
Mr. La Wonchang, Minister-Counsellor of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, gave an interesting presentation on the history, economy and culture of South Korea. In addition, he pointed out some similarities to Switzerland, but also striking differences between the two countries. La Wonchang, who is currently Deputy Chief of Mission at the Korean Embassy in Bern, has already worked in Kazakhstan, Russia, the USA and Italy. After Mr. La Wonchang's presentation, exploreASEAN had the honour of interviewing him to learn more about the cultural differences he faced over the course of his career and how he became Minister-Counsellor for South Korea.
During the weeklong seminars in Switzerland, students prepare for their onsite study tour to various countries at the end of March. In addition, other participants also have the opportunity to learn more about the countries, their cultures and economies from lecturers, companies and ambassadors. Visits by high-ranking diplomats speak to the well-established and well-respected nature of these programmes.