After three years of preparation, the Schwarzman Scholars program at Tsinghua University finally came to its opening ceremony day. The first cohort of 110 outstanding students from 31 countries all over the world will start their learning journey here. Let us join the ceremony through the following pictures and feel the unforgettable atmosphere.
Vice Premier Liu Yandong enters the ceremony.
Chen Baosheng, Minister of Education, reads the congratulatory letter from President Xi Jinping.
On the occasion of Schwarzman College’s opening ceremony, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to both Tsinghua University and Schwarzman College. In the letter, President Xi hopes Schwarzman College will uphold its mission, make innovations and strive to become an international platform for cultivating talents from all over the world, providing them with all kinds of learning opportunities so that they can better understand each other, broaden their horizons and exchange ideas and together make positive efforts to improve the well-being of people from all over the world.
Max Baucus, U.S. Ambassador to China, reads the congratulatory letter from President Barack Obama.
Qiu Yong, President of Tsinghua University, addresses the ceremony. He mentions: “Schwarzman College aims to cultivate future leaders that have global visions and are committed to promoting the progression of human civilization. Hopefully Schwarzman scholars can cultivate their spirit of self-reliance and motivation, build up good characters and lay a good foundation for their life. When they do, they will become real Tsinghua-er.”
Schwarzman addresses the ceremony.
Kevin Rudd, Former Prime Minister of Australia, speaks at the ceremony.
David Li, Dean of Schwarzman College, addresses the ceremony.
Student representatives speaking at the ceremony: Huang Cheng, Noah Elbot and Akshay Shah (from left to right)
Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of the State Council, hopes that Schwarzman scholars will cherish the valuable learning opportunities presented to them and be the role models for young people; exchange their brilliant ideas and be the pioneers in innovation; be open and inclusive and serve as the messengers for cultural and educational exchanges between China and foreign countries.
A Historical Review of Schwarzman College
Stephen A. Schwarzman, world-renowned business magnate, Chairman and Co-Founder of Blackstone Group, made generous personal donation and raised funds for the establishment of a permanent fund to support Tsinghua University in building Schwarzman College and founding a global scholars program. By doing this, he hoped to help excellent talents develop and become future leaders to promote global changes.
On the afternoon of April 21st, 2013, the launching ceremony of “Schwarzman Scholars of Tsinghua University” was held in the Great Hall of the People. President Xi and U.S. President Obama both sent their congratulatory letters. Liu Yandong, Vice Premier of the State Council, attended and addressed the ceremony.
In 2014, President Xi expressed his sincere congratulations to the launch of this program in his congratulatory letter. He pointed out, “education determines what we are today and what we will be in future. As a necessity of our society, education is the source of a steady flow of the talents we need. It imparts the known and explores into the unknown, refreshes old knowledge, and pursues new knowledge. The educated can understand and transform the world in a better way, and create a better future for mankind.” He also emphasized, “The world today is composed of countries in a common destiny. To overcome the challenges facing human development, people of all countries need to help each other and work together. Our education should conform to this historical trend. We should push forward closer interaction, promote our understanding of all kinds of knowledge and cultures, and enhance our experience of the present struggles and future visions of different peoples. Students from different countries will have better mutual understanding, develop a global vision, gain inspiration for innovation, and foster the lofty aspiration for contributing wisdom and strength to peace and development of mankind.”
Design sketch of the Schwarzman College
The college building was designed by Robert Stern, Dean of the Yale University School of Architecture and one of the creators of postmodern architectural style. The buildings, covering an area of 24,000m2, are designed with a central courtyard, incorporating the essence of Chinese style architecture.
Photo of Schwarzman College
In January 2016, the first global recruitment of Schwarzman Scholars came to a successful conclusion. 111 candidates have passed the selection procedures and have become the first cohort of Schwarzman scholars, with an enrollment ratio of 1/30. The enrolled students consist of 23 from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, 51 from the US, and 36 from other countries and regions.
From August 21st -22nd, 2016, the inaugural class enrolled and have become members of the big Tsinghua family.
New students of Schwarzman College - Jessica Hocken from the U.S. (the fourth one from the left in the front row) and Jasmin Stadler from Switzerland (the fifth one from the left in the front row) joined the Morning Jogging Team as soon as they arrived at the campus.
On September 10th, 2016, the opening ceremony of Schwarzman College was officially held.
