On June 10,the 2025 graduation ceremony of the School of Economics and Management of Tongji University was successfully held in the January 29th Auditorium.

Xing Yue,an alumnus of the school (undergraduate in International Trade,class of 1998;master in Enterprise Management,class of 2002),Vice President of Alibaba,and Chief Strategy Development Officer of Zebra Intelligence,delivered a speech as the alumni representative.In her speech,Xing Yue expressed deep gratitude for the cultivation of her alma mater.She mentioned that from the era of traditional management to the digital economy,it was the thinking mode and cross-border capabilities cultivated by the school that enabled her to navigate career transitions with ease.

She encouraged students to maintain a mindset of embracing change,cultivate cross-disciplinary abilities,and hold fast to their original dreams.She hoped that they would carry forward the thinking mode endowed by Tongji and the spirit of “working together in the same boat” to shine on the road of life ahead!

Distinguished President Lü,Secretary Shi,Dean Xie,dear teachers,classmates,and fellow juniors:

It is a great honor to attend your graduation ceremony today.First and foremost,I extend my sincerest congratulations to all of you.Returning to this familiar campus and seeing your youthful smiles reminds me of the scene when I graduated 20 years ago.Back then,we expressed our reluctance through countless farewell dinners,thinking that parting meant forever.But today,connections in the digital age allow us to stay linked even when miles apart.

Listening to the speeches by university leaders,teachers,and outstanding student representatives,I deeply realize that while we cannot accurately predict what this era will bring,we can be certain that the “underlying algorithm” endowed by Tongji is enough to support us in facing the era’s challenges and finding certainty amid uncertainty.As a graduate of the School of Economics and Management,I am profoundly grateful for this.

When I graduated,I was fortunate to catch the dividends of the era.As a School of Economics and Management graduate,I happened to ride the wave of corporate internationalization,working to help multinational enterprises optimize local management and reduce costs.The most exciting part was traveling the world—my company provided free airfares,allowing me to work abroad. Though full of challenges,it was hugely rewarding.

The company brought together employees from different countries,with remarkable cultural differences.Thanks to the School’s education,I not only understood the operational mechanisms of multinationals but also learned to think from a cultural perspective.This experience gave me more than just textbook knowledge;it was a practical platform to broaden my horizons.Visiting various countries helped me accumulate rich cross-cultural experience,laying a solid foundation for my later work in corporate incubation.Looking back,those days were both fulfilling and joyful.When I transitioned from a traditional office environment to Alibaba,many around me were confused.They questioned:”You’re not a computer major,nor a fresh graduate—why give up a stable local job for the internet?”Even my supervisor initially didn’t support the decision.

But I believe this is exactly the advantage cultivated by our School of Economics and Management—we possess systematic thinking and management logic,understanding both macro strategies and micro execution.This composite ability gave me confidence to master new skills in the fast-changing internet sector.

In fact,my thinking was simple at the time: I wanted to observe and learn why Jack Ma,starting as a small-time translator,eventually built a business empire serving global SMEs.

After 20 years of observation and reflection,I’ve come to realize that management science has undergone three generations of transformation:from Taylor’s scientific management to modern management systems,and now to the era of large models. Each era’s transition is significant because technological innovation always pulls everyone and every industry back to the same starting line—a feeling I know all too well.

Our generation has witnessed too many changes.Especially the great upheavals of the past century—from a market perspective alone,this new era has just begun.Today,the “battle of hundreds of models” is reshaping the financial industry,while algorithms and data are reconstructing business rules.The scale of big data doubles every year,bringing opportunities far exceeding what our generation once imagined.

Looking back on the past 20 years,we have witnessed nearly three generations of technological transformations.From the era dominated by Moore’s Law to the current intelligent revolution represented by OpenAI,the pace of change is astonishing.The data challenges faced by enterprises today far exceed the scope of traditional cognition,and many brands’ data processing capabilities even fail to keep up with the needs of the times.

Beyond these changes,I see more opportunities than challenges.Because every transformation pulls everyone back to the same starting line,creating new possibilities.

On the 20th anniversary of my graduation,as an alumni representative,I am honored to share a few suggestions for your reference:

First,always maintain a heart that seeks change.

In this era of transformation,taking the initiative to embrace change is the only way to turn challenges into infinite opportunities.Today,you have more opportunities than we did back then—whether developing through large platforms or starting your own business,various possibilities are emerging.The key is to stay open-minded and seize the opportunities bestowed by the times in a timely manner.

Second,cultivate cross-border thinking.

I hope everyone has the courage to “break boundaries”.There is no need to be confined to your original major.For example,although I don’t understand computer technology,I have a deep understanding of human needs in internet companies.When engaging in cross-border exchanges,don’t be hindered by management structures or technical jargon.It is the integration of different fields that creates new competitive dimensions,allowing us to inspire and grow together.

Third,hold fast to your original aspiration and perseverance.

In this era full of variables,it is easy to fall into confusion and self-doubt.Various evaluation criteria in the workplace may make us deviate from our original direction.Therefore,it is essential to maintain a childlike innocence and safeguard your initial dreams.Because you are always a unique individual—never lose yourself in the evaluations of others.

Today,each of us has unlimited potential.Whether you choose to develop in a large enterprise or run a community supermarket;whether you focus on a management position or adhere to a practical path;whether you deepen your expertise in a certain field for 20 years or keep trying new directions—the important thing is to maintain a mindset of accumulation,managing your life like a century-old enterprise.

One day,when you look back on your journey,you will find that the world is so wonderful,and every step you take is unique and irreplaceable.As students of the School of Economics and Management of Tongji University,we should move forward with this confidence.We inherit not only professional knowledge such as statistics,engineering,and management but also a way of thinking and values—injecting humanistic warmth into the city and contributing solid values to society with the wisdom of management and the logic of engineering.

This is the spiritual wealth bestowed upon us by the century-old university and the foundation for each of us on the path of growth.Let us continue to move forward with this pride and achieve a better version of ourselves.

Sincerely wish you all the best!

Thank you.