With the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant, Asia Society Switzerland continues its commitment to foster the Asia Competence of the next generation. The Travel Grant allows a selected Gen A Fellow to deepen their knowledge of Asia-related issues and accomplish a project that is crucial for their professional and personal journey, and that will inform their future as a global decision-maker in Switzerland.  

The Travel Grant offers a fixed sum of CHF 10'000 for a selected Gen A Fellow to spend a longer time (6-12 weeks) to do research in Asia on a project of their choice. Application for the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant is open to the Gen A Alumni Community only: Applicants must have successfully completed the Gen A – Young Leadership Program.

Recipient of the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant 2024

Jeanette Gautschi works for KPMG Switzerland as an Alliance Operations Specialist where she enables strategic relationships between international tech firms and KPMG. She graduated in International Management at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences and spent a year studying in Seoul, South Korea while working for a Korean crypto exchange in Gangnam. She grew up in Switzerland and has roots and passports in the Philippines and the Netherlands as well. Due to her upbringing, she is very passionate about intercultural exchange and therefore was also active as a Partnership Manager and Board Member for the Erasmus Student Network in Winterthur. Jeanette was part of the Gen A Class of 2023. Conect with Jeanette via LinkedIn and follow her updates on the project. 

Project Abstract

Generating local business and global impact: Supply chain of Solar Roof Tiles from Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area to Switzerland

Last year, together with lecturer Stephan Jüngling, I visited various firms/start-up hubs in the Greater Bay Area, including InvestHK, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), Shenzhen Technology University and companies like DJI.

It has inspired me to research more on how to conduct business in Asia, especially in the Greater Bay Area. In the context of my master thesis, I will explore new business potential for Swiss companies.

The project, which is simultaneously my masters thesis at the FHNW, is about creating a supply chain for solar roof tiles from China to Switzerland. I will conduct market research in Switzerland and will try to find fitting suppliers in China. The goal is to create a start-up which optimizes the suitability of solar roof tiles for application in Switzerland. 

About the Gen A Alumni Community 

The Gen A – Young Leadership Program has been launched by Asia Society Switzerland in 2020. After the completion of the program, the Fellows continue to be highly engaged as part of our alumni community. Over 80 Fellows have graduated from the program since its launch in 2020. Asia Society Switzerland is proud of this diverse and highly skilled community and is continuing to engage and support it.

Patron

Asia Society Switzerland is grateful to Investment Management Professionals (IMP AG) for supporting our cause in raising Asia Competence in Switzerland and through its contribution to the Gen A Alumni Travel Grant.