In the morning of December 15^th, 2013, the first commencement of Tongji-Case Western Reserve University MBA/MSM-Finance Double Degree Program & Financial Forum was successfullyheld in 301 lecture hall, Tongji Building Block A. Students from Malaysia, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, Suzhou and Shanghai all came together to celebrate the significant moment. Dean of Economics and Management (SEM), Tongji University, Prof. JIN Fuan, Deputy Dean of SEM, Prof. CHEN Song, Deputy Dean of SEM, Prof. HAN Chuanfeng, Vice Dean of Weatherhead ManagementSchool-CWRU, Prof. Fred Collopy, Assistant Dean – Career and Student Services of Weatherhead, CWRU, Ms. Meenakshi Sharma, Directors of Double Degree Program, Prof. Anurag Gupta and Dr. LI Yibin, presented the commencement. All students of the Double Degree Program, medias also presented, and deliver their congratulations to the graduates.

Prof. CHEN Song gave congratulatory words to the graduated students on behalf of SEM. He said, this year, the construction of Shanghai FTA are getting out of a long list of personnel needs, including offshore software outsourcing, telecommunications services and other modern service outsourcing industry, graduates will usher in a new development opportunities.He expressed his hope that never stop learning pace, and always apply the knowledge in innovative ways. Faculties also sent their blessings and expectation through video. Alumnus of CWRU, head of risk management department, Morgan Stanley Huaxin Securities, Mr. HU Xiaorong, gave speech on the commencement. Dr. LI Yibin and Prof. Anurag Gupta summrized the program from contact, establishment, enrollment, teaching, until the frist batch of students get graduate, and expressed gratitude to all the people who provided support to the program.

XIANG Shuoqi was awarded as Outstanding Graduate of Shanghai. YANG Xiaorong and LIU Lin were awarded as Outstanding Graduate of Tongji University. YANG Shengdong was appointed as contact of 2013 Case Double Degree Program alumni. XIANG Shuoqi gave speech as student representative. He used three key words to describe the two-year study: risk and return, SWOT analysis, and non-business. He said, the Doubel Degree Program is an innovated program, and also big challenge to students, faculties and two universities. The fact indicated that it is a successful attempt. Students learned new knowledge in two years, and deepen their understandings to industry environment through exchange with classmates with different backgrounds, furthermore, sincere friendship were harvested during campus life.

Certificate awarded ceremony was held by the end. Students were dressed in academic dresses, and toke pictures with their mentors.

The first contact of the Double Degree Program was in 2009. In 2010 it was officially approved. In 2011, the first batch of students was recruited, 35 in total. In August 2013, they finished their oversea semester in Cleveland. The requirement of the Double Degree Program to applicants is higher than common MBA, so the 35 students had already gained achievement in their own industries. After two years study, they were further improved. Among them, 12 students got career improvement during study, one got perfect career change from IT industry to finance field by admitted by Moody; one was admitted by MIT and doing his study in the US now; two have started their own companies; the rest 8 all got salary rise more than 50%.

The fourth Financial Forum was held in the afternoon, after the commencement, hosted by Dr. LI Yibin, Director of the Double Degree Program. Director of Banking Regulatory Commission of Shanghai Municipal Government,Mr. LIAO Min, and Vice President of Pudong Development Bank, Mr. LIU Xinyi were invited to give keynote speeches. They first affirmed the achievements of the Double Degree Program, and then made speeches on the construction of Shanghai FTA and banking reform from perspective of regulators and implementers, respectively. Mr. LIAO Min expressed his views on financial reform and development and regulatory governance after the Third Plenary Session of Eighteenth Central Committee, however, Mr. LIU Xinyi mainly talked about the current challenges and countermeasures of China’s banking industry. Mr. LIU Xinyi attended the opening ceremony of this batch of students in 2011. It is of profound significance not only to the students, but also to him that also been invited on the commencement.

Dean of SEM, Prof. HUO Jiazhen attended the forum, and awarded certificates of “Honorary Ambassador of Tongji-Case Western Reserve University MBA/MSM-Finance Double Degree Program” to Mr. LIAO Min and Mr. LIU Xinyi. After the keynote speeches, the audience asked questions and discussed with the guests. Prof. Anurag Gupta, Deputy Dean of SEM, Prof. RUAN Qingsong, Department Chair of Economics and Finance, SEM, Prof. CHEN Weizhong also joined the paneldiscussion.

Tongji-Case Western Reserve University MBA/MSM-Finance Double Degree Program is the first master’s degree in finance from a top US university offered in mainland China, and the first MBA/MSM-Finance double degree program in China. This establishes a successful international education cooperation mode.