【Editor’s Note】

Tsinghua University has been taking large footsteps towards internationalization ever since its establishment more than a hundred years ago. Up to now, over 80 international graduate degree programs have been implemented to enhance students’ global competency and the reputation of Tsinghua worldwide. With various cultural backgrounds, students and teachers from all corners of the world gather in the beautiful campus of Tsinghua University, sharing knowledge and life experiences and opening windows of the outside world for each other. The “International Programs in the Eyes of Student Reporters” series are narrated by the program students and teachers, providing readers an in-depth insight to those colorful pictures of cultural integration.

Empowering Professionals,Elevating Learning, and Enriching Portfolio Diversity

In a groundbreaking collaboration, Tsinghua University and Cornell University have joined forces to introduce a pioneering dual-degree program in finance, with the goal of cultivating financial leaders who are based in the Chinese market. Students will be able to look from an international perspective and be proficient in professional knowledge. The Cornell-Tsinghua Dual Degree Finance MBA Program, jointly established in 2013, aims to revolutionize business education and provide students with unparalleled opportunities for growth and success.

The Cornell-Tsinghua Dual Degree Finance MBA Program is revolutionizing business education and bridging the global economies. Current students and alumni, say the program has brought new insights and practical skills to their lives, and faculty members say it is training financial industry leaders of the future. Administrators from both universities are seeking diverse applicants from around the world who are willing to join an innovative yet rigorous program where new horizons are explored and passionate learners thrive.

The program aims to combine the best aspects of Chinese and American education to create a new generation of financial industry leaders with a global perspective and a deep understanding of how the world’s two leading economies work. By combining international economic theory with practical work experience, the Cornell-Tsinghua Finance MBA program is creating a core of Chinese professionals that could devote themselves to the Chinese financial world with their global perspectives and thorough understanding of the Chinese economy and culture.  

Forging Lifelong Bonds: Empowering Global Financial Leaders

The dual degree program offers a bilingual education and a part-time approach to classes that can attract a global audience of young professionals who can conveniently schedule weekend classes around their work schedules.

Yuxuan Li, an entrepreneur with his own successful company, and Yanni Luo, an aspiring movie producer, embody the diverse backgrounds and aspirations of the program's participants. One of the most notable aspects of the program highlighted by Li and Luo is the invaluable social networks it provides.

“With access to an extensive alumni network and connections to industry leaders, students are immersed in a vibrant ecosystem that fosters collaboration, mentorship, and career development,” said Li. These connections not only open doors to exciting job opportunities but also facilitate lifelong relationships and the potential for future entrepreneurial endeavors.

“The program offers a diverse curriculum that encompasses modules in entrepreneurship, innovation, and elective courses with a strong focus on finance,” said Li. Additionally, all students actively engage in company visiting, ensuring a well-rounded and practical learning experience. Through these varied activities, students gain exposure to diverse perspectives and experiences, equipping them with the necessary tools to thrive in an international business environment.

The Practice of Business Innovation: Entering Class of 2021 participating in the Tsinghua PBCSF Science and Technology Innovation Competition

Luo highlighted the program's commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and innovation. Students are encouraged to think creatively and further develop an entrepreneurial mindset through coursework, guest lectures, and entrepreneurial initiatives. This emphasis on innovation prepares them to navigate complex challenges and seize emerging opportunities in the finance industry.

“With movie production and reality shows, you can apply this program’s knowledge, and with practical experiences, you are able to guide yourself as an entrepreneur,” she said.

Continuing the Experience: Enduring Connections and Events After Graduation

Hongqiang Zhang, an alumnus of the program, expressed his satisfaction after graduating from the Cornell-Tsinghua Dual Degree Finance MBA Program and securing a position as the Business Development Director at Nous Capital, a prominent investment firm in Shanghai. “I consider this program to be the best financial MBA in China,” said Zhang.

Zhang's fascination with secondary market investments deepened through his previous experiences at the United Bank of Switzerland, prompting him to immerse himself in a comprehensive study of this specialty within the program.

“Among all the courses, Corporate Finance was my favorite. It offered a highly practical approach, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world applications,” Zhang remarked. “The curriculum included case studies, simulated transaction exercises, and even engaging company projects. I firmly believe that the knowledge and skills acquired through this program are valuable for future career advancement and effective management within an organization.”

The Dual Degree Finance MBA program harmonizes the strengths of two eminent educational institutions from the East and the West, and Zhang had the opportunity to attend courses in both countries.

A group photo of the Finance MBA Program at the Cornell University campus (Entering Class of 2018)

“The experience was truly unforgettable,” he remarked. Beginning his journey in September 2020, Zhang swiftly became the elected class president. His most precious memories at Tsinghua were orchestrating various engaging activities for his fellow classmates while benefiting immensely from their diverse backgrounds and experiences. During his time at Cornell, Zhang engaged in extensive dialogues with professors, delving into the realms of contemporary domestic and international entrepreneurship.

“After joining the program, I was able to visualize my development path more clearly and distinctly,” said Zhang, “which I think I didn't have before I joined the program, nor did I have the ability to do so.”

Even post-graduation, the robust alumni network has provided him with enduring connections to his peers and mentors. Zhang firmly believes that such a network serves as an excellent platform for fostering ongoing communication among alumni and facilitating the exchange of invaluable professional experiences. Moreover, it extends its benefits to their families and future generations. “The faculties continually organize special alumni events, including company visits and even family camps,” he said.

Meanwhile, Cornell has not overlooked the significance of their alumni. The Cornell China Center in Beijing hosts a multitude of knowledge-sharing events, featuring esteemed industry experts as guest speakers or assigning accomplished seniors as honorary mentors. “They provide us with indispensable guidance, both in terms of career development and business acumen, which I find immensely advantageous,” Zhang said.

Hongqiang Zhang's journey through the Cornell-Tsinghua Dual Degree Finance MBA Program has been transformative, and his story exemplifies its impact on participants. “This program has not only enhanced my learning abilities but also significantly improved my professional life,” he said emphatically. “I will definitely recommend it to others.”

Integrating Advantageous Resources, Providing Maximum Value to Students

Jiandong Ju, Chair Professor of Finance at Tsinghua PBCSF, attributed the success of Cornell-Tsinghua graduates to the program’s rigorous curriculum and practical training. “The program’s design and teaching methods demonstrate a high degree of scientific rigor and rationality. Rational economic analysis is not limited to cost-benefit analysis, it also requires data to support theory and necessitates the use of scientific methods to understand international economics, ” he noted.

Tsinghua and Cornell offer complementary strengths, he added. “It is an alliance of the fittest,” Professor Ju described the partnership.

The alliance combines Tsinghua’s world-leading macroeconomic policy program with Cornell’s corporate finance and marketing superiority. With the shared teaching resources and distinguished course features, “the program delivers the best value to our students,” said Professor Ju.

Professor Jiandong Ju teaching the Entering Class of 2022 Finance MBA program students

Faculty expertise – including renowned academics and industry experts – is another crucial aspect of the program. This diverse blend of academic and practical expertise enriches the learning experience, providing students with a comprehensive understanding of business concepts and their real-world applications, Ju said.

The goal of the program is to cultivate leadership capabilities within the field. When seeking applicants, Professor Ju pointed out that being smart is the least important characteristic for being successful in this program because knowledge can be accumulated. “Being earnest, rational, and diligent are the most important traits for students that have potential,” Professor Ju pointed out. Professor Ju hopes students in the program can value these characteristics, be passionate about their field and participate in class discussions with other top-tier classmates.

Tsinghua University and Cornell University exemplifies the commitment of both institutions to deliver cutting-edge educational experiences that shape future business leaders of tomorrow. The Cornell-Tsinghua Dual Degree Finance MBA Program continues to attract top talents with its comprehensive curriculum, emphasis on experiential learning, providing access to renowned faculty and a strong alumni network, and instilling a global perspective. The program equips students with the skills, knowledge, and networks necessary to excel in the dynamic business world.

Aspiring business professionals seeking a transformative MBA experience can find a pathway to success through this innovative program, where academic excellence, practical relevance, and global perspectives converge. “Engaging in such a program involves broadening one’s extent of mind, vision and fostering connections.” Professor Ju concluded.

【Program Overview】

Cornell-Tsinghua Dual Degree Finance MBA program is jointly offered by PBC School of Finance, Tsinghua University and S.C. Johnson Graduate School of Management, Cornell University, one of the Ivy League universities in the US.Integrating the extensive resources of century-old Tsinghua and Cornell universities, the program is committed to building a superior system that combines theory and practice at home and abroad to cultivate financial talents in line with China’s national conditions, with a focus on international financial markets.

Source | Tsinghua University Graduation Education Wechat Official Account

Writers | Tsinghua University “Journalism Practices on International Education” Project Group: Zane Qi, Cherie Choi, Boliang Ma

Contributor Editors | Minzhi Lv, Lixia Liu, Fu Sun, Lan Gao, Chengzhang Li

Editor | Huanhuan Bao

Responsible Editor | Lan Gao

Auditors | Xuan Tian, Lu Zhang