Romano Prodi, former EU Commission President, former Italian Prime Minister, President of the Foundation for Worldwide Cooperation, visited Shanghai Jiao Tong University on the afternoon of March 13, 2010. SJTU President, Academician Zhang Jie, Vice President Zhang Wenjun, CEIBS Vice President Zhang Weijiong and Assistant President Yan Liangyu met with Mr. H.E. Prodi.

President Zhang Jie had friendly and harmonious talks with Mr. Prodi in the VIP Reception Roomof Administration Building, on Minhang Campus. President Zhang Jie warmly welcomed Mr. and Mrs. Prodi, and introduced to them the construction planning of the campus. Mr. and Mrs. Prodi appreciated the campus model and the video of “SJTU Today”. Besides, global education also aroused Mr. Prodi’s interest. “At SJTU, students from Berlin have the best command of the Chinese language among all the international students,” said President Zhang Jie. Recent years have witnessed the giant step of SJTU towards global education, especially in terms of cooperation with European universities, education of international students, and programs taught in English, etc.

After the colloquy, they arrived at the auditorium in Chen Ruiqiu Building, where Mr. Prodi guested at the “Inspiration Forum” and delivered the fascinating speech on “China and the EUin the 21st Century”.

Mr. Prodi discussed about such issues as economic development in China today, the current situation and the future of the Sino-EU relations. “The development of a nation must aim at its future, and China will play a more and more important role in world economy in the future.” Mr. Prodi mentioned that China had become a driving force of the world economy ever since the global financial crisis in 2008.

In the Q&A section, Mr. Prodi answered the audience’s questions regarding financial crisis, and global warming, etc. He said that China was an important partner of the EU, and with the improvement of China’s comprehensive national strength and the greater influence it had in the world, and there would be more and more opportunities for Sino-EU cooperation. Mr. Prodi said strengthening political and economic bonds would definitely improve the relationship between both sides.

"The youth is the future of the world.” Mr. Prodi put down his sincere expectation for SJTU students in the Guestbook at the end of the address.

Mr. H.E. Romano Prodi has been Prime Minister of Italy twice. He contributed to some of the historic decisions of the European Union during the five years of his Presidency, such as the introduction of the Euro, the accession of Mid- and East European countries, and the draft of the EU Constitution, etc. He has visited China for 25 times, and also enjoys a reputation in the academic arena. In the international literature he is as famous as Giacomo Becattini, Franco Momigliano and Paolo Sylos Labini, and is hailed as the founders of the "Italian School of Industrial Economics".

It is said that Mr. Prodi has accepted the professorship at China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) of SJTU on March 8, 2010. In fact, he has a long academic career and is a renowned economist in the western countries. He studied at the Catholic University of Milan, graduating with a doctor’s degree in Law. He then took up advanced studies in London School of Economics and Political Science and received master’s degree in economics.. Before he entered politics, he had worked at Bologna University for many years as full Professor of Industrial Organization and Industrial Policy.