The opening ceremony for the Tsinghua-INSEAD EMBA (TIEMBA) Class of 2026 and Tsinghua SEM EMBA 2024 Cohort was held at the Tsinghua University Auditorium on September 4.

The opening ceremony of TIEMBA and Tsinghua EMBA programs

BAI Chong-En, Distinguished Professor of Arts, Humanities and Social sciences at Tsinghua University and dean of Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM), reflected on the school's 40-year history during the opening ceremony. He underscored Tsinghua SEM's mission to "advance knowledge and cultivate leaders for China and the world," while highlighting the school’s notable academic achievements and international influence since its founding. BAI encouraged new students to expand their global perspective, nurture innovation, harness technology to drive business growth, and embrace social responsibility to contribute to the nation's and society's progress.

BAI Chong-En addresses attendees at the ceremony.

Mark Stabile, dean of degree programmes and dean of the Europe Campus at INSEAD, welcomed the TIEMBA Class of 2026 and Tsinghua SEM EMBA 2024 cohort at the opening. He highlighted the partnership between Tsinghua University and INSEAD, which combines the strengths of both institutions to offer a unique educational experience. Stabile emphasized the programme's mission to prepare global business leaders to address key challenges such as climate change, peace, and sustainable development. He encouraged students to embrace the diverse perspectives offered by both schools and to contribute positively to business and society with innovative and effective solutions.

Mark Stabile delivers his speech.

XUE Jian, senior associate dean of Tsinghua SEM, gave the students an inspiring inaugural lecture titled "Understanding History for the Future." In her address, she reviewed the school's history and mission, highlighted its achievements in academic development, and encouraged students to embody Tsinghua's spirit.

XUE Jian presents the inaugural lecture.

CHEN Zhangwu, chairman of the Gansu Xinghua Scholarship Foundation and retired professor of the Department of Economics, delivered a keynote speech on "The Spirit of Perseverance in Challenging Times." JIA Li, director of the Tsinghua SEM EMBA Programmes, introduced the two EMBA programs of Tsinghua SEM and the EMBA Education Center team. This session was co-hosted by LIU Jingzhu (Candice), TIEMBA class of 2026 student and Assistant General Manager at Golden Credit Fund Management Co., Ltd., and two other EMBA students.

CHEN Zhangwu delivers his speech.

JIA Li introduces the school's programs.

Alumni and student representatives also shared their personal experiences. Jean Pascal Campus, a member of the TIEMBA Class of 2026 and CFO of SPT Roth Group, recounted his decade-long journey in China since 2012. He emphasized the transformative impact of the programme, underscoring the importance of stepping out of one's comfort zone, embracing diversity, and building cross-cultural connections. He encouraged his fellow students to fully engage in the challenges ahead, leveraging their diverse backgrounds for personal and professional growth. He expressed deep gratitude to his family, friends, and faculty for their unwavering support throughout his journey.

TIEMBA Representative Jean Pascal Campus delivers his speech.

Distinguished guests, including Tsinghua SEM faculty members and directors, were in attendance. The ceremony concluded with a group photo in front of the University Auditorium, symbolizing the official start of the TIEMBA students' academic journey - one filled with leadership challenges and opportunities for growth.

TIEMBA program has been running for 18 consecutive cohorts. Its student body is characterized by diversity, with as many as 700 alumni from 51 countries, more than 95 percent of whom are in global business management positions. The TIEMBA Class of 2026 has 35 students from various nations, including Canada, Germany, Japan, Portugal, Angola, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Mongolia, Russia, and China, with an average of 15 years of industry experience.

Group photo of TIEMBA Class of 2026

TIEMBA once again ranked second globally in the 2024 QS Executive MBA Rankings: Joint Programs, continuing its best performance since participating in the QS rankings. Since its debut in the QS EMBA rankings in 2019, TIEMBA has ranked in the Top 5 globally for six consecutive years. The achievement demonstrates TIEMBA's leading position among EMBA programs worldwide and showcases its strength in cultivating management talent with a global perspective, a deep understanding of China, and advanced leadership capabilities.