The 6th International Month series of events at Tongji University’s School of Economics and Management recently concluded successfully. As the School’s flagship international cooperation and exchange initiative, this year’s International Month, themed Beyond Boundaries Shared Visions, featured over ten distinctive events including a Guest University Showcase, Distinguished Lectures, an International Education Exchange Exhibition, and Cross-Cultural Salons. Attracting nearly a thousand faculty and students, the program overcame geographical constraints, cultural barriers and disciplinary differences, establishing a direct pathway for Tongji scholars to access premium global educational resources.

Partnering with the University of Warwick: The “3+1+X” Program Takes Root

This year’s International Month has specially invited the University of Warwick, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary, to be the guest of honor. At the opening ceremony, Professor Andy-Lockett, the Dean of the Warwick Business School, delivered a video message. SEM’s Dean Xie En, Vice Dean Liang Jian, Ms.Shou Yuexian, Director of the Market and Promotion Office and Deputy Director of the MBA/EMBA Center, Professor David Elmes, the Representative of the Warwick Business School Dean, and Ms. Danin Ning, the Admissions Officer, all attended the event. Both sides reached a consensus on the joint cultivation of new talents and will embark on a new chapter of cooperation. Through policies such as credit recognition and early pre-admission, they will provide outstanding undergraduate students of Tongji SEM with fast and high-quality “3+1+X” postgraduate study opportunities.

As one of the UK’s earliest business schools to achieve triple accreditation from AACSB, EQUIS and AMBA, Warwick Business School holds global prestige in the field of business studies. Its Master of Finance program has been ranked 11th globally by the Financial Times.

“One-stop” services that address the core needs of students

The Tongji School of Economics and Management International Exchange Education Fair, hosting representatives from over 30 overseas partner institutions alongside official language organizations such as IELTS, took place during the “International Month” with great enthusiasm. It provided students with comprehensive, one-stop guidance throughout the entire application process. From overseas program application procedures and documentation preparation to language exam planning and background enhancement, the exhibition saw a continuous stream of on-site consultations. Meanwhile, parallel information sessions saw Business School students actively posing questions about further studies. Through detailed responses from university representatives, they clarified their paths and addressed uncertainties, finally “returning fully equipped with answers”. This effectively resolved core concerns regarding “how to select programs and how to prepare applications”.

Cross-Cultural Salon: A Fusion of Diverse Perspectives

Cross-cultural exchanges continue to be a resounding success. During International Month, events such as the “Sino-German Cultural Salon (Chinesisch-Deutscher Stammtisch)” and the “Tea Ceremony: Savouring the Flavours of the Song Dynasty” were held, bringing students from diverse cultural backgrounds closer together through interaction. Associate Professor Jamshid Hosseini from Marquette University, USA, and Professor Amir REZA, Dean of the Babson College Global Education Institute, USA, were invited to deliver lectures on global management innovation thinking and artificial intelligence. Cutting-edge ideas and diverse cultures met and integrated throughout the series of events.

Since its inception in 2020, the November International Month has evolved into a pivotal platform for showcasing the university’s internationalization achievements. This year’s event has further refined its focus on student needs, establishing a comprehensive service chain encompassing consultation, planning and enhancement. This ensures international resources effectively reach and benefit students.

Dean Xie En stated that cultivating top-tier innovative talent with global competence remains the School’s core objective. Moving forward, the School will deepen international collaboration through initiatives such as establishing overseas teaching bases and developing joint research platforms. This will transform the concept of “connecting globally” into tangible practice, providing both staff and students with broader international development opportunities.

Internationalisation stands as a defining feature of Tongji University’s School of Economics and Management. The School has established a collaborative network spanning over 30 countries and regions worldwide, forging deep partnerships with more than 100 internationally renowned institutions. This network supports over 30 dual-degree programs and more than 80 non-degree exchange initiatives. Annually, the School offers over 360 tuition-free international exchange opportunities alongside diverse specialized scholarships and financial aid schemes.