The School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University (Tsinghua SEM) held the opening ceremony and orientation for the Class of 2029 undergraduate students on Aug. 21. The event was attended by Bai Chong-En, dean of Tsinghua SEM, Liu Qing, deputy secretary of the SEM's Party committee, Lin Zhijie and Zhang Chen, assistant deans, Guo Xunhua, undergraduate program coordinator, and Zhu Wu and Jiang Ruoqing, undergraduate class directors. Additionally, staff members responsible for teaching and student affairs, international affairs, and career development, as well as more than 200 undergraduate freshmen were present. The ceremony was presided over by Zhu Yujie, director of the Academic Affairs Office at Tsinghua SEM.

Bai delivered a lecture titled "Mechanism Design: The Elegance and Power of Economics," in which he employed concise yet vivid examples to elucidate profound economic principles. He introduced this pivotal economic concept and illustrated its wide application and significance in real-life contexts, offering the freshmen a distinctive and engaging introduction to economics.

Bai pointed out that the core of mechanism design is to devise a set of optimal rules to achieve specific objectives. However, under constraints such as information asymmetry and divergent goals, designing an effective mechanism to reach those goals constitutes both the central challenge and the key problem addressed by mechanism design. Using vehicle procurement as an example, Bai prompted students to reflect on the practical difficulties of pursuing optimal solutions in economics. He explained how, in the presence of information asymmetry, incentive-compatible rules can be designed to guide suppliers toward reasonable bidding, thereby optimizing procurement outcomes. "In real-world situations, we often can only achieve a second-best outcome; blindly striving for the first-best ideal may instead lead to inferior results," the dean emphasized.

Bai Chong-En delivers a lecture to the freshmen.

Bai stated that the concept of mechanism design has broad applications and plays a significant role in areas such as tax policies, welfare systems, pollution reduction, regulation of natural monopolies, and market design. He underscored the critical importance of incentive compatibility and the principle of voluntary participation in achieving social objectives. In conclusion, Bai encouraged freshmen to gain a deep understand of the essence of mechanism design, learn appreciation for the elegance of academic thinking, and develop the ability to solve real-world problems — making learning a joyful process of exploration.

Subsequently, the dean presented the freshman undergraduate representatives of the Class of 2029 with the book Zhu Rongji: On the Record on behalf of the school.

Bai Chong-En presents copies of Zhu Rongii: On the Record to freshmen.

Luo Wenlan, a professor in the Department of Economics and faculty representative, addressed the topic of learning and career choices in the age of AI by posing the question: "What should we learn in the AI era?" Luo pointed out that amid the rapid advancement of AI technology, students should place greater emphasis on cultivating abilities such as aesthetic sensibility, intuition, and empathy — uniquely human traits that are difficult for AI to replicate. Rather than focusing solely on knowledge acquisition, he urged students to devote more attention to developing their own cognitive frameworks. Luo also advised students to prioritize personal interest over external rewards when making career choices and developing skills. He emphasized that intellectual curiosity and a sense of wonder represent a higher level of interest, noting that only with genuine passion for a field can one persevere in learning and uncover deeper knowledge.

Luo Wenlan speaks at the ceremony.

Zhao Jingyuan, president of the Tsinghua SEM Student Union and a representative of the senior students, shared her growth story at the school, highlighting experiences such as business competitions, practical research, student festivals, the John Ma Cup athletics event, and an exchange program in France. She emphasized that university growth extends far beyond textbook knowledge, describing it as "a process of diverse exploration and continuous trial and error." Zhao offered three suggestions to the freshmen: First, to proactively seek out resources and communicate more with teachers and mentors; second, to maintain self-motivation and learn self-management in a free environment while always holding onto a sincere passion for knowledge; and third, to engage in inner dialogue by carving out time for reflection amid busy schedules and discovering what they truly love. She encouraged them to bravely try new things and become "undefined SEM students."

Zhao Jingyuan speaks at the ceremony.

Representing the freshmen, Bai Ziyan from the Class of 2029 spoke at the ceremony, sharing her story of overcoming physical challenges before the national college entrance exam and ultimately fulfilling her dream to study at Tsinghua SEM. She said, "I did not want to interrupt my studies, and I certainly did not want to miss a single moment at Tsinghua." Upon entering SEM, she was struck by the solemnity of the academic buildings and the rigorous scholarly atmosphere, particularly resonating with its core values of "integrity, honesty, dedication, responsibility, respect, and tolerance." Bai said she believes that Tsinghua SEM is not only a sanctuary of knowledge but also a forge for cultivating well-rounded talents equipped to contribute to the new era, where everyone can find their own path to making a meaningful impact in the economic field. Finally, she said she looks forward to "lighting up the Tsinghua garden alongside everyone with the radiant starlight of growth."

Bai Ziyan speaks at the ceremony.

Zarina Todorova, a first-year student from Bulgaria, spoke as a representative of the new students and shared her deep connection with China and Tsinghua SEM. She first encountered the Chinese language in eighth grade and, as she delved deeper into her studies, developed a strong interest in Chinese culture and the field of economics. "I've always wondered what drives China's economic development, and Tsinghua SEM is the place that will help me find the answer," she said. With great anticipation for her future studies and life here, and confidence in her passion for economics and her unyielding, hard-working spirit, she said she believes her four years at the university will be both fulfilling and unforgettable.

Zarina Todorova speaks at the ceremony.

Lin Zhijie introduced the freshmen to the history and distinctive features of Tsinghua SEM, elaborated on the philosophy of the undergraduate program, and outlined the resources and opportunities provided by the school. The assistant dean emphasized that Tsinghua SEM centers on "general education + personalized development," focusing not only on breaking down disciplinary barriers and fostering critical thinking, but also on encouraging students to realize their potential and become top talents in their chosen fields. The school offers various social practice activities, cultural and sports events, academic competitions, and more. Lin encouraged the freshmen to make use of these diverse resources to explore new possibilities and supports their overall development.

Lin Zhijie introduces an overview of Tsinghua SEM.

Zhang Chen introduced the redesigned cultivation plan following the school's undergraduate program reform, with a particular focus on the specialized education system within the new framework. Zhang highlighted the Technology Literacy elective module (T-Module) within the general education curriculum, emphasizing the integration of economic management with cutting-edge technology. The program strongly emphasizes developing literacy in artificial intelligence and data science, while also providing ample room for independent exploration, the assistant dean explained.

Zhang Chen presents the undergraduate program cultivation plan.

Liu Qing underscored the importance of disciplinary and ethical standards, urging new students to abide by the university's rules and regulations. The Party deputy secretary illustrated the significance of cybersecurity through practical examples. Regarding academic integrity, he stressed a strict prohibition against plagiarism and the need to regulate the use of AI in academic work. Liu said that the school is committed to guiding students in establishing correct values and fostering rigorous academic attitudes, thereby supporting their overall growth and development.

Liu Qing conducts orientation for undergraduate freshmen.

Subsequently, Liu Yue, deputy director of the Student Affairs Office; Sun Wei, director of the International Office; and Gu Yingjie, director of the Career Development Center, introduced the school's student services and activities, study abroad and exchange programs, as well as career guidance and employment support.

The opening ceremony and orientation for the Class of 2029 concluded with the singing of Tsinghua University's anthem. Following the event, new students started on a three-week training and learning session to prepare for the new semester.

Undergraduate freshmen attends Tsinghua SEM's opening ceremony for the Class of 2029.

Source: Academic Affairs Office

Editor: Ren Zhongxi