HCD Global CEO Ms. Julia Li Ventures to Space on Educational Mission

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May 10, 2012, 08:11 ET

NIZHNY NOVGOROD, Russia, May 10, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

HCD Global, a leading education technology group based in China, announced that the company's founder & CEO, Ms. Julia Li, traveled today in a MIG-29 to the earth's stratosphere, 22 kilometers above the earth's surface, as part of a mission to support innovative education through the experience of space travel. The flight took off from a military aviation base in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia.

Ms. Li said, "True learning happens through experience, especially when you push yourself beyond normal limits, physically, mentally and emotionally. Quite often, insight and innovation are born this way. Today's extraordinary opportunity has significance on two fronts, professional and personal. Professionally, I intend to incorporate what I learn from this experience into the various executive development programs at HCD Global for the benefit and enrichment of our clients, including executives and students."

She added, "Today's voyage also has personal significance. I have long had a fear of heights. I continue fighting to stretch my 'comfort zone' to overcome this fear. In sharing my experience, I hope that others will be inspired to face their own challenges with a positive attitude. It is core to the process of learning and growing."

Ms. Li's flight took off at 12 noon today. She was in space for one hour and traveled at two times the speed of sound, more than 2000 km/hr. She saw the curve of the Earth and the dark space above - the border between the Earth and space.

Ms. Li will answer questions about her adventure and discuss innovative education in China and Russia at a press conference on May 16 at 14:30 at the Interfax news agency office located at 70 Nevsky Prospect in St. Petersburg, Russia. She will be joined by Mr. Sergei Krikalev and Ms. Elena Kalinina. Mr. Krikalev, a hero of the Soviet Union, is a legendary Russian cosmonaut, the world record holder for the total time spent in space and the recipient of various medals and awards in Russia and France. He was also honored with an award by NASA. Ms. Elena Kalinina is an author, rector of the St. Petersburg Social-Economic Institute, the head of the international conceptual project "Women Who Change the World" and Russia's representative to the European Women's Managers Association (EWMD). Mr. Krikalev will discuss the newly opened Cosmocenter, an education space camp for youth. Ms. Kalinina will comment on the ongoing quest to help today's youth advance and succeed in the global market.

Ms. Kalinina said, "Being a good manager means not only being successful in your own right but also to use this strength to lead others to their success."

To register for the press conference please contact Viktoria Miranovich at [email protected] or at +7-915-363-0003.

About HCD Global

HCD Global is a leading education technology group based in China. The company offers innovative executive development programs, business simulation games, premium learning tours (both inbound to China and outbound), as well as tertiary education to help students upgrade their skills and secure jobs. Founded in 2001, HCD Global has trained more than 50,000 middle-to-senior level executives from around the world. HCD Global is headquartered in Shanghai and has offices in Shenzhen, Chengdu, Chongqing and Wuhan. For more information please visit http://www.hcdglobal.com.