To continue the alumni friendship,usher in a bright new journey,and walk hand in hand along the “E” road,the 2023 Annual Ceremony of Tongji University EMBA was warmly held in Shanghai on December 31.More than 600 EMBA alumni,from students of the first class to the 2023 freshmen,traveled from far and wide to gather,share their friendship,and bid farewell to the old and welcome the new.

As an alumni homecoming ceremony for Tongji EMBA,the event was divided into two chapters:the “Challenge·Development” High-End Forum and the “Timeless Glow” Gala Evening.

Upper Chapter: “Challenge · Development” High-End Forum

The forum officially kicked off the ceremony,gathering over 600 participants including university leaders,school officials,faculty members,authoritative experts,and alumni.

Focusing on the key theme of “Challenge·Development,”they converged at the forefront of the era to explore future possibilities.

Professor Shi Qian,Party Secretary of the School of Economics and Management at Tongji University; Professor Xie En,Vice Dean (Acting) of the School of Economics and Management at Tongji University;special guests Mr. Zhuang Congsheng,Former Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Industry and Commerce,Former President of the China Private Economy Research Association,Distinguished Expert of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Policy Advisory Talent Pool,and Member of the 12th CPPCC National Committee;and Professor Lü Tingjie,Executive Vice President of the China Information Economics Association,Rotating Chairman of the China Information Society 50 Forum,Executive Director of the International Telecommunication Association,Member of the Science and Technology Committee of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology,and Member of the Telecommunication Economic Expert Committee,attended the forum.The forum was chaired by Professor Wang Hongwei,Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tongji University.

Leadership Speeches

Professor Shi Qian,Party Secretary of the School of Economics and Management,delivered a warm and inspiring speech.He noted that in the wave of the AI era,EMBA alumni should stay true to their original aspirations,have the courage to challenge themselves,continue learning,find their own path,and carry forward the spirit of “Studying Together,Pursuing Wealth and Benevolence.”He encouraged alumni to always hold deep and sincere feelings for the country and society,and to anchor their forward direction in serving the overall national development and creating social value.

Professor Xie En,Vice Dean(Acting) of the School,detailed the college’s achievements in disciplinary construction, talent cultivation,faculty development,international cooperation,and industry-education integration to the attending alumni.He specifically cited the contributions of School of Economics and Management faculty and students in the classic case of complex engineering management—the construction of Beijing Daxing International Airport—stressing that the college will continue to strive for more remarkable achievements to deliver a satisfactory report to alumni.

Keynote Report

In the themed report “Strengthen Confidence and Grasp Expectations—Viewing Next Year’s Private Enterprises from the Central Economic Work Conference”,Vice Chairman Zhuang Congsheng summarized the challenges faced by private enterprises in 2023,emphasizing that “confidence is more precious than gold”. Private enterprises in China should start from the five laws summarized by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the Central Economic Work Conference,and deepen their understanding of the principles that “development is the absolute principle,reform is the internal driving force, and modernization is the greatest politics”.

Vice Chairman Zhuang shared three suggestions for the development of private enterprises:

1.Adjust mental attitude and expectations;

2.Maintain resolve and never give up;

3.Dedicate to intensive cultivation in familiar industries.

He encouraged all entrepreneurs,innovators,strivers,and pioneers to face difficulties without complaining,lying flat,or giving up.They should recognize the situation,strengthen confidence,boost morale,and continue to roll up their sleeves and work hard!

Professor Lü Tingjie delivered a sharing titled “Opportunities and Challenges from Artificial Intelligence to the Third-Generation World Wide Web”.He emphasized the need to prioritize the construction of two key lines:energy and informatization.In terms of energy,we are actually undergoing a new round of energy revolution toward electrification,with the government strongly supporting the development and upgrading of energy and photovoltaic industries.Focusing on the main line of informatization,Professor Lü shared his insights on the technological innovations and business model application possibilities driven by AI,demonstrating a series of technological transformations through vivid cases in various industries and using accessible language.

He stressed that the digital economy era represents the advanced stage of informatization,bringing both a new revolution in productive forces and the data-driven transformation of factors.Over the past decade,a new round of information technology represented by AI has gradually moved from laboratories to industrialization,subverting some traditional industries and leading a new round of global economic growth.Finally,Professor Lü described a key feature of Web3.0 through personal vivid cases—that it is not only readable and writable but also ownable.He hoped that all entrepreneurs can firmly grasp the trend of digitalization and embrace technology and the future!

Alumni Roundtable

Cheng Guoping, Secretary-General of the School of Economics and Management Branch of Tongji University Alumni Association, Assistant to the Dean of the School of Economics and Management, Director of the Professional Degree Center, and Director of the MBA/EMBA Center, hosted the alumni roundtable session.

The alumni roundtable invited alumni to share their firsthand experiences, feelings, and reflections in the tide of the times, including:

Yang Baoming, a 1998 doctoral alumnus in Technical Economics and Management, Founder of Luban Software;

Chen Weizhi, a 2003 EMBA alumnus, Chairman of Shanghai New Era Education Group;

Xu Dianlong, a 2008 EMBA alumnus, Former Editor-in-Chief of Economic Information Daily of Xinhua News Agency;

Zhang Lihua, a 2012 EMBA alumnus, President of Webasto China;

Hu Minghui, a 2012 EMBA alumnus, Deputy General Manager of EZVIZ Whole-House Smart Products;

Sun Hongyan, a 2016 EMBA alumnus, Deputy General Manager of Tongji University Science Park and General Manager of Putuo Park of Tongji University Science Park.

Alumni Sharing Focused on Two Key Topics:

Topic 1: How to Turn Crisis into Opportunity During the Three Years of the Pandemic?

Looking back,what is the most fulfilling thing you have achieved,and what insights have you gained from it?

Elite alumni shared how their enterprises seized opportunities,grasped trends,embraced challenges,adapted proactively,and pursued development amid enormous challenges over the past few years.They emphasized the importance of “timing,” “moderation,” and “rhythm.”Looking back,only by staying true to one’s original aspirations,fearing no difficulties,and continuing to learn can one remain at the forefront of the times,grow continuously,and serve society.

Topic 2: Looking Ahead to 2024, What Are Your Expectations for Yourself?

What new breakthroughs do you plan to make in your work? If given the opportunity,what would you do to promote the development of society and your alma mater?

Under this topic,alumni shared their visions for the coming year and contributions they hope to make to their alma mater and society from different perspectives.”Doing the right thing and doing it right” became the guiding principle for most.Many expressed their willingness to collaborate closely with Tongji University,form a virtuous cycle of university-enterprise cooperation based on their respective industries,actively fulfill social responsibilities,and make more contributions to the construction of their alma mater and the country.

At the conclusion of the forum, Professor Wang Hongwei,Vice Dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tongji University,delivered a concluding speech.He stated that the forum was a successful grand event and expressed gratitude to all guests and alumni for their strong support and active participation.He emphasized that in the face of future challenges and opportunities,we must remain confident,work together in unity,dare to innovate,and jointly create a brighter future.

Lower Chapter: “Timeless Glow” Gala Evening

The gala consisted of three interlinked segments,conveying warmth and touching moments,while inspiring empathy and resonance:

1.Charity Donation Ceremony

Alumnus Cai Guang set an example for alumni by remembering the alma mater with gratitude,embodying the spirit of giving back.

Annual Recognition Ceremony

2.This segment honored alumni and partners,celebrating the “Unity and Collaboration” spirit of Tongji.

3.Cultural Performance Ceremony

Alumni,faculty,and students jointly presented a spectacular audio-visual feast,painting a picture of the new year and marching toward a brilliant future.

Charity Donation

As the opening act of the “Timeless Glow” Gala Evening,the signing ceremony for the Tongji University Jianxing Management Education Development Fund and the Tongji University Jianxing Excellence in Engineering Talent Development Fund was held.

Mr. Cai Guang,an alumnus from the first EMBA class of Tongji University,Chairman of Guangdong Jianxing Holding Group Co.,Ltd., Member of the 11th Committee of the China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese,and Founding President of Guangdong Tianxingjian Charity Foundation,donated 1 million yuan each to the School of Economics and Management and the National College of Excellence in Engineering at Tongji University to support talent cultivation and scientific research.

Annual Recognition

The Tongji EMBA Annual Ceremony has become a key brand event gathering numerous distinguished guests,alumni from various classes and clubs,as well as faculty and students of the School.Its success stems from the dedication and efforts of many teachers and alumni,and is inseparable from the unwavering support of our enthusiastic sponsoring partners.Every wonderful moment of the annual event is imbued with the profound love of alumni for the university,the school,and the EMBA program,which is deeply moving.

Cultural Performance

Accompanied by stirring music and dazzling lights, the cultural performance officially commenced. Alumni sang and danced, presenting wonderful programs that immersed the audience in intoxication, moved them to emotion, or sparked laughter. Amidst continuous cheers and applause, the gala was repeatedly pushed to new climaxes.