The collaborative program between Tsinghua University and Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile has initiated the second phase of cooperation. A signing ceremony of the collaboration agreement took place at Tsinghua SEM.

The program, “Conducting Business in China/Chile”, was initiated by the two universities in 2007. It allows faculty members and MBA students in both institutions to go on exchange visits. It is funded by Banco de Chile with substantial support from Andrónico Luksic, Vice Chairman of Banco de Chile, Chairman of the Luksic Group, a member of the Advisory Board of Tsinghua SEM.

During three years of cooperation in the first phase of the program, 60 Tsinghua faculty members and students were sent on exchange visits to Chile, and 62 Chilean visitors came to China. Faculty members conducted in-depth communication in their areas of expertise, while students leant the political, economic, cultural and social facts in Chile or China by way of program events such as lectures, student discussions and company visits.

Banco de Chile will continue to fund the second phase of cooperation. It will not only include exchanges, but also the establishment of the Center for China-Latin America Management Studies, which aims to promote the management research in China, Chile, and other Latin-American countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Mexico.

XIE WeiheandAndrónico Luksic signing agreement for the second phase cooperation

On the signing ceremony, Vice President XIE Weihe of Tsinghua University spoke highly of the collaborative program. He said that, participants of the exchanges broadened their horizon and furthered friendship. He extended thanks to Banco de Chile for its financial support on behalf of the University.

Dean QIAN Yingyi of Tsinghua SEM reviewed the achievements of the first phase of the program. The fourteen professors and 46 students who were exposed to Chilean customs and business operations on international visits have developed their thinking and feeling in a soon-to-be-released book namedChile in the Eye of Tsinghua Students.

Dean QIAN Yingyi said: “Internationalization is one of the basic strategies of Tsinghua SEM’s development. Internationalization is neither Americanization nor Europeanization. It should be global-to look at the whole world. That’s why Tsinghua SEM has set up collaboration partnership with 92 institutions all over the world. We wish to give our students abundant opportunities to expand their international horizons through our extensive student exchange network.”

Andrónico Luksic also reflected on the history of past cooperation. He said he would like to continue his support for the exchanges and the work of the Center for China-Latin America Management Studies.

Ignacio Sanchez, President of Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, called the experience of foreign visits and sharing among students with various cultural backgrounds a life-long wealth for participants.

Vice President XIE Weihe and Andrónico Luksic signed the agreement of cooperation for the second program phase, and inaugurated the Center for China-Latin America Management Studies together.