Jim Bradford: Dispatches from Asia

Second Leg of Asia Trip: Shanghai, People’s Republic of China (PRC)

Saturday, November 11th

Shanghai: the very name of city is steeped in mystery and intrigue. We are welcomed the first evening by 50 Vanderbilt alumni and friends at the French Concession offices of Vinson & Elkins. Shih-Ping (Nancy) Wang (MBA ’05), I-Chun (Eunice) Chou (MBA ’04), Paul Deemer (BS A&S ‘69/JD ’75 and a partner in Vinson & Elkins), and Dr. Xiaohu (Steve) Li (’91 A&S) serve as our greeting committee and official hosts.

More than 17 million residents call the city home, yet it is difficult to find a native Shanghai resident. Even people who have lived in the city for an extended period often view themselves as visitors explains the Dean of the Fudan Graduate School of Management as we explore university potential relationships.

Sunday, November 12th

Sunday is spent, in part, exploring the city, from the historical Bund area along the river front, the hustling (in more ways than one) Nanjing shopping district, old town with its quaint roofs and many shops, to the bustling side streets with their food vendors serving all sorts of interesting delicacies. We end the day with an elaborate dinner with our hosts at a very up-scale restaurant named Sweet Beauty.

Monday, November 13^th

Monday brings meetings with the leadership of Fudan University and Graduate School of Management, the United States Consulate and finally a fun evening in old town enjoying the great tastes of Shanghai dumplings.

Shanghai is an impressive and awesome city, difficult to capture mentally or by camera. It is a city which is a crush of people and traffic and yet in its own way highly organized and efficient. The architecture is an eclectic mix with each new building seemingly designed to outdo its neighbor. The to-be tallest building in the world is being constructed and will begin occupancy in 2007.

Before departing for our next stop, we spend the morning with Paul Winnowski (MBA ‘99), President & CEO of United Technologies, Fire and Security--Asia. A dynamic leader, Paul’s picture graces the cover of the most recent industry magazine. Paul explains the many opportunities awaiting the adventurous who will accept the challenge of working in a city in constant change.

This is my second visit this year to Shanghai. As in Tokyo, we have a great group of alumni who are determined to make Vanderbilt a well recognized name.

SCENES FROM SHANGHAI

View of some of the new architecture in Pudong, across the river from Shanghai.

Shanghai version of the Bull and the Bear fronting a local Shanghai bank along Nanjing road.

Strolling through Shanghai.....Yuyan (Yu) Garden........a busy street in Shanghai-cross at your own risk......a Starbuck's in Old Town......open-air market for anything you want to buy...making dumplings in Old Town.