Since the start of China’s transformative era of reform and opening-up, the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM) navigated a decade of challenges, flourished in its second decade, exhibited elegance in the third, and shaped its unique style in the fourth. As it enters its fifth decade, the institution is brimming with vitality and confidence.

For many years, guided by Tsinghua University’s leadership and buoyed by the support of various social sectors, the school has followed the path paved by former dean ZHU Rongji. Progressing from humble beginnings to remarkable achievements, it has advanced to new milestones every few years. What once started as a modest department at Tsinghua University, it has gradually developed into one of the world’s finest schools of economics and management. Along the way, it has nurtured a multitude of talents with both patriotic sentiment and global perspective, thereby making substantial contributions to China's educational landscape in economic management and the overall socio-economic development. Its unparalleled advisory board plays a pivotal role in strengthening international exchange, collaboration in education and technology, and facilitating the school’s construction and development.

Over the past decade, as China's economic landscape has shifted toward a phase defined by technological innovation and deepening reforms aimed at fostering high-quality growth, the global community has encountered a myriad of new situations and challenges. These include climate change, deglobalization, geopolitical tensions, and technological advancements. Throughout this, the school has remained responsive to the evolving times and has forged ahead. Adhering to its original aspirations and mission, and leveraging the substantial progress made in learning from and introducing new ideas, the institution has concentrated on identifying new development strategies and clear objectives for this transformative phase. It is accelerating efforts to build bridges between the realms of arts, humanities, and social sciences, and those of science and engineering; between technology and business; between theory and practice; as well as fostering connections between China with the world. These endeavors are aimed at serving the nation’s developmental needs and contributing to the advancement of human civilization. The school has achieved notable milestones in disciplinary development, with management science and engineering, business administration, and economics (comprising theoretical economics and applied economics) being included in the national "Double First-Class" initiative. Following that, economics has ascended to China’s top disciplines, alongside management science and engineering and business administration. Teaching programs continue to innovate, resulting in steady improvements in international rankings. Faculty members uphold rigorous academic standards, with their research garnering increased recognition within their respective fields. Rooted in the diverse landscape of China, their research efforts have provided valuable insights and recommendations for the country, society, industries, and enterprises. In 2021, the school established the Shenzhen Institute of Economics and Management (SIEM), serving as a hub for higher development in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Furthermore, in 2022, the inauguration of the Tsinghua SEM New Buildings provided faculty and students with improved teaching facilities and office conditions.

Reflecting on the educational legacies left by our predecessors, we recognized them as immensely precious treasures. As we gaze forward, let us come together in unity and solidarity to uphold the missions of "advancing knowledge and cultivating leaders for China and the world," and keep striving for the goal of "becoming a world-class school of economics and management."

BAI Chong-En

Dean of Tsinghua University School of Econmics and Management