On April 19, 2011, Prof. Xie Jin, associate dean and associate research fellow at the School of Public Policy and Management, delivered a lunchtime lecture to MID and IMPA students on the 100-year old history of Tsinghua University (1911-2011), Tsinghua’s eminent alumni community, and a brief profile of the events of the Centenary Celebration on April 23-24, 2011.
She covered the three “periods” of Tsinghua History: 1911-1952 as a preparatory school, 1952-1978 when Tsinghua was restructured as a polytechnic university, and the transition to a comprehensive, world-class research university from 1978 to current day. In covering the history of Tsinghua, Prof. Xie helpfully referred to several maps of Tsinghua’s campus, expanding outwards from the original core to its present-day size. Prof. Xie informed us that the Tsinghua University motto is: “Self-discipline and social commitment” and another university saying is: “Action is better than words”.
Prof. Xie then introduced three groups of famous Tsinghua alumni: scientists, entrepreneurs and executives (including those of sohu, aigo, and mindray), and government leaders and officials. Prof. Xie concluded by giving us a brief overview of the events in the Centenary Celebration, including Homecoming Day to be held on April 24, 2011, and the Centenary Ceremony and Gala. She mentioned that Prof. Hu Angang of SPPM has published a book for the occasion entitled, “China Studies and Education.” The students in attendance were interested to know more about Tsinghua’s luminous history and raised questions, including one regarding the rumor that hundreds of Tsinghua alumni couples will be married at the Tsinghua Centenary Celebration. The lunchtime event ended on a high note.
