By Wang Yuan from Shool of Economics and Management

The annual Advisory Board meeting of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management was held at the Main Building on October 29, 2009. Tsinghua University President Gu Binglin attended the meeting.

At the gathering, Professor Qian Yingyi, Dean of the SEM, reported on aspects of progress made by the School during the past year, while Assistant Dean Gao Jian briefed the participants on the new Tsinghua MBA curriculum and the China Business Case Center. The board members held discussions concerning the further development of the SEM.

In the afternoon, Chinese State Councilor Liu Yandong met with overseas members at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse. She expressed her gratitude for their contributions in promoting the country's economic and social development as well as to the academic life of Tsinghua. Liu also acknowledged the members' efforts in promoting exchanges and cooperation between China and renowned global corporations as well as overseas universities.

The Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board was established in 2000. Its members include elite business leaders, visionary government officials and renowned scholars from internationally renowned academic institutions. Former Premier Zhu Rongji is the Honorary Chairman of the Board. Henry M. Paulson, Jr., former US Secretary of the Treasury and Chairman and CEO of Goldman Sachs, was the founding Chairman of the Board (2000-2002). Lord John Browne, Group Chief Executive of BP p.l.c. served as the second Chairman (2003-2007). The third was H. Lee Scott, Jr., president and CEO of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (2007-2009). At this year’s meeting, John Thorton, Guest Professor and Director of the Global Leadership Program at Tsinghua University and former Co-President of Goldman Sachs, was elected as the Board’s fourth Chairman.