News > 2009 > Haruhiko Kuroda Visits HEC Montréal

Haruhiko Kuroda Visits HEC Montréal

The President of the Asian Development Bank speaks about the impact of the crisis on Asia

June 8, 2009

Mr. Haruhiko Kuroda, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), took advantage of his time in Montreal while attending the International Economic Forum of the Americas to come and meet with HEC Montréal faculty and MBA students.

“We are delighted that Mr. Kuroda accepted our invitation,” said HEC Montréal Director Michel Patry. “His visit to the School gives us a chance to strengthen the bonds we have forged with Asia for over 25 years now, and to explore new avenues for improving our relations with different countries in that part of the world. Whether it is co-operative agreements with universities, student exchange programs or the development of customized training, the School is always seeking to expand its presence in Asia through valuable partnerships.”

The visit of the ADB President to HEC Montréal was a good opportunity to highlight the School’s strengths and the quality and reputation of its programs, and to discuss its openness to the international community. At the same time, Mr. Kuroda’s talk about the impact of the financial crisis on economic development in Asia allowed professors and students to learn about a constantly evolving part of the world, directly from the source.

HEC Montréal professors were invited to take part in the roundtable discussion following Mr. Kuroda’s remarks. This was an exceptional opportunity to discuss the outlook for Asia in the context of the economic crisis, the impact of general policies, in particular concerning investment, banking and financial rules, and the role of the Bank’s assistance in overcoming the current economic difficulties in Asia.

HEC Montréal and Asia

HEC Montréal has been present in Asia since 1983, cultivating close ties with the academic and business communities in many countries there. The School has become a leading partner in education, as it organizes international exchanges and trains managers. The School developed a training program for managers and executives in the energy sector (EMDP – Energy Management Development Program), which has now been given several times in Montréal and abroad, in China, Malaysia and Singapore. Since fall 2008, HEC Montréal has also been offering an introductory course in business Mandarin, allowing students to acquire a basic knowledge of Chinese language and culture.

Photo Haruhiko Kuroda

From left to right, Hassan Taghvaï, Regional Manager, HEC Montréal, Émile Gauvreau, Adjunct Professor, HEC Montréal, Haruhiko Kuroda, President, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Michel Patry, and Thelma A. Diaz, Resident Director General, North America, Shuichi Hosoda, Chief Advisor to the President, ADB