Tsinghua University SEM establishes its North America Alumni Association

San Francisco, April 18, (People's Daily Online)----Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (SEM) North America Alumni Association and its Western US Chapter were established on Saturday in San Francisco.

Qian Yingyi, dean of Tsinghua SEM and Deng Fanhua, deputy consul general of Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, together with alumni representatives unveiled the plaque at the inaugural ceremony.

SEM North America Alumni Association, a non-profit organization headquartered in California, is SEM's first officially registered one in North America and the third one outside China. It's also the biggest overseas alumni association.

This organization is planning to open four branches in the United States and Canada, which are in New York, San Francisco, Toronto and Vancouver. And the Western US Chapter is founded the same day today. Professor Qian issued the letter of appointment to leaders of the North America Alumni Association and its Western US Chapter at the inaugural ceremony.

Tsinghua SEM has accelerated its internationalization during recent years with joining international business school clubs, developing in-depth cooperation and launching exchange programs with top-notch business schools, which has rapidly expanded the school's international influence. The establishment of the North America Alumni Association is considered as an import step in showing its "go global" determination and developing its internationalization.

Professor Qian Yingyi said at the inaugural ceremony that advancing education adapting to economic and management globalization is the new challenge China is facing now. Education internationalization was first put forward by Zhu Rongji, founding dean of the SEM. SEM has had 26,000 graduates with degrees and 60,000 non-degree program alumni since it was founded 30 years ago. Those elites are active in various industries and do business between China and North America. They expect a platform to build connections, develop careers and help the school flourish in North America. The combination of alumni's needs and SEM's internationalization makes today's establishment of the North America Alumni Association.

Guo Shaozeng, first president of the newly founded association, introduced more about the organization. He said that in pursuit of the mission "to advance knowledge and cultivate leaders for China and the world" , the organization endeavors to build a platform for alumni by organizing academic symposium, education events, charity and other activities to promote communication and cooperation.

Deng Fanhua, deputy consul general of Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco, Wang Junming, counselor of science and technology with the Consulate General in San Francisco Jim Breyer, advisory board member of Tsinghua School of Economics and Management, Michael Brownrigg, council member of Burlingame City and 200 alumni representatives witnessed the moment.