Continuing with the first round of “supporting regional economy” events, the Tsinghua EMBA Program carried out a series of activities in Sichuan Province to support the economic development of the Southwest region. The activities took place during January 20-24, 2011, including graduation forums, a “Mobile Campus,” a Seminar on Chinese Culture, alumni association ceremonies, an EMBA New Year party and visits to local enterprises.

The activities were widely supported by local government officials, entrepreneurs and alumni in Sichuan.

EMBA Graduation Forums

Started in 2004, the EMBA forums took place outside of Beijing for the first time. Traditionally, the forums invite scholars and entrepreneurs to discuss heated social and economic issues. The graduation forums are considered the last lesson for graduates of the EMBA Program.

Professor LIAO Li opening the forums

This year’s forums theme upon the discussion of the twelfth five-year plan of China, analyzing macroeconomic issues from perspectives such as enterprise growth, business IPO and the development of GEM. More than 400 entrepreneurs and senior managers participated in the forums.

On the forums, Professor LIAO Li, Associate Dean of SEM and Director of the EMBA Program, delivered a report named “What Has GEM Brought about for us,” followed by two interactive forums (“Business IPO Strategies” and “Business Strategic Planning in Light of Twelfth Five-Year Plan”) drawing ideas from Tsinghua professors and EMBA students.

Sichuan is an economic giant in Southwest China, said Professor LIAO Li, explaining why the Program had chosen the province’s capital Chengdu as the location for EMBA events. More than 50 EMBA alumni come from Sichuan. SEM plans to join hands with local government and enterprises in its effort of boosting the economic development in the Southwest region, making full use of Tsinghua EMBA’s teaching capacity, academic prowess, as well as the extensive alumni network.

Two interactive EMBA forums

Renovated Seminar on Chinese Culture

Meanwhile, a seminar on Chinese culture took place at Qingchen Mountain with hundreds of EMBA alumni headed by Professor XIE Weihe, Vice President of Tsinghua University.

EMBA Seminar on Chinese Culture is a top tier event of national culture education among Chinese universities, said Professor XIE Weihe. The seminars aim to bring about internal enrichment and help EMBA students combine Chinese traditional culture with enterprise management and personal advancement.

At the opening ceremony of the third term of the seminar, Professor LIAO Li introduced about new instructors and courses of the seminar. A “Fortune and Life” section was added to the curriculum, exploring the idea of fortune and wealth in relation with life reflections.

Professor XIE Weihe tallking about the seminar

Other Events and the New Year Party

A number of other activities were also held as part of the EMBA event scheme:

The third China Entrepreneurship Camp took place at Sichuan University. It was co-held by the Financial Office of Sichuan Provincial Government, China Center for Financial Research, National Entrepreneurship Research Center and the EMBA Program in an effort of bridging business starters in China with angel investors. About 200 entrepreneurs and investors took part in the Camp.

During January 20-23, thousands of entrepreneurs studied “Strategic Management” and “Organizational Behavior” in a Sichuan “Mobile Campus” event.

On the afternoon of January 22, the EMBA Sichuan, Guizhou, Jilin and Hubei Alumni Associations re-elected their committee members, and the 27th EMBA Alumni Association was formed in Chongqing.

Dean QIAN Yingyi giving speech at the New Year Party

A New Year party for EMBA students was celebrated in Chengdu on January 22. Present at the party were Dean of Tsinghua SEM Professor QIAN Yingyi, Senior Associate Dean Professor YANG Bin and Associate Dean Professor LIAO Li. Dean QIAN Yingyi gave an opening remark at the beginning at the party.

Nearly a thousand people gathered at the party, where annual awards were conferred to excellent EMBA Alumni Associations and Outstanding Individuals of 2010.

Participants performing at the party