Wan Jun, MBA Office

The ceremony for Tsinghua-MIT GMBA program donation from alumnus Thomas Shie was held in Shunde on May 20, 2016. After his first donation of 1 million RMB in 2015 to support the development of the Tsinghua MBA program, Mr. Shie made this second donation of 1.2 million RMB for overseas Tsinghua MBA brand promotion.

Among the attendees of the ceremony were Professor Qian Xiaojun, Associate Dean of Tsinghua SEM; Zhang Lei, Executive Director of Tsinghua MBA Programs; Tang Yunduan, Deputy Director of SEM’s Cooperation and Development Office; Yu Honglei, head of Tsinghua MBA development and alumni relations; Doris Xun, head of Tsinghua MBA global cooperation; and Chen Fang, head of Tsinghua MBA business cooperation. Prior to the ceremony, a short video about Thomas Shie’s study and life at Tsinghua SEM was displayed. The ceremony was hosted by Doris Xun.

Associate Dean and Professor Qian Xiaojun commemorates Thomas Shie's alumni gift by presenting a certificate of donation.

Professor Qian Xiaojun recalled in her remarks the days when Mr. Shie studied at Tsinghua. As the vice-monitor of the IMBA class of 2012, Mr. Shie made great contributions to class cohesion and solidarity as well as to the integration of Chinese and foreign students, as recalled by Professor Qian. At the start of the program, Mr. Shie took the lead among new MBA classmates to take an oath of corporate social responsibility. He was the host for several important events at school, including the MBA New Year’s Party, MIT China Lab Day, and the graduation ceremony for the IMBA Class of 2012. As the student representative with outstanding performance, he also shared what he had learned during the two-year MBA study at Tsinghua at the school presentation for Tsinghua MBA programs in 2014, noted Professor Qian. As the professor for Mr. Shie’s Business Ethics course, Professor Qian said she was still impressed by his politeness, gentility, articulate speech, and high standards for himself, all reflecting his well-preserved external and internal self-cultivation and down-to-earth character. Professor Qian expressed her hope that Mr. Shie would continue to shine in his career as during his MBA study, and to follow and support the development of Tsinghua and cohorts that follow.

Executive Director Zhang remarked that as the first young alumnus to donate at such an early stage of his career, Mr. Shie had made donations from his work bonus to the development of Tsinghua MBA programs. Tang Yunduan has seen a rise in MBA alumni support for Tsinghua SEM. Examination of data from previous donations made by alumni suggests that Thomas Shie was the youngest large-sum benefactor, and that the donation was made so soon after his graduation reflects his sense of belonging and love for his Chinese heritage. Ms. Tang also reported the growth of SEM alumni donations from alumni in construction of new buildings and support for research and education at the SEM. Alumni donations have played a critical role in the tremendous achievements by the SEM to date, which also reflects alumni’s deep regard for their alma mater and sense of unity. There is a mutually beneficial link between the development of SEM and the success of its alumni. 

Ceremonial signatures memorialize the alumni donation.

According to Yu Honglei, Thomas Shie was also an excellent representative in the Alumni Council. She mentioned that after 25 years of Tsinghua MBA program development, alumni have been playing an increasingly influential role. They have gained substantially from their MBA study at Tsinghua and demonstrated a spirit of gratitude to their alma mater by their continued support of the MBA program upon their successful career development.

Doris Xun, as one of the SEM administrators who had greatest contact with Mr. Shie at school, noted his family origins from Fujian Province, although he grew up in Canada. After obtaining his bachelors degree with distinction from New York University, Mr. Shie began an exclusive real estate agency in New York. After he graduated from Tsinghua, Mr. Shie co-founded a financial services company in Hong Kong. Ms. Xun said she was impressed by his youthful, yet mature energy.

Thomas Shie spoke of the Tsinghua MBA as the best platform for students of Chinese origin to return to their country of ancestry, learn about Chinese culture, accumulate essential knowledge, and expand their social networks. Thanks to the education and inspiration from Tsinghua, Mr. Shie is now integrated into Chinese society and ready for future challenges, and he is grateful to be in a position to make his own contribution to the development of his alma mater. 

At the conclusion of the ceremony, Thomas Shie and Professor Qian Xiaojun signed an official agreement of donation. Professor Qian also awarded Mr. Shie with a certificate of donation.