Ajay Banga, president of the World Bank Group, led a delegation to Tsinghua University on December 8, 2025, held talks with Bai Benfeng, deputy Party secretary and Tsinghua University's vice president, engaged in a dialogue with Bai Chong-En, dean of Tsinghua University's School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM), and took part in an interactive session with students.

The delegation included Ye Jiandi, executive director for China at the World Bank Group; Allen Nanglefack Agandie Forlemu, acting regional vice president of the International Finance Corporation; Mara Warwick, World Bank division director for China; and Lu Jin, deputy director-general of the department of international economic and financial cooperation of China's Ministry of Finance.

Bai Benfeng met with the guests, and the two sides exchanged views on strengthening cooperation in research and talent development.

Bai Benfeng holds talks with Ajay Banga.

Bai Benfeng noted Tsinghua University's long-term cooperation with the World Bank Group and highlighted that since the implementation of its "Global Strategy 2030", Tsinghua has continued to encourage students to broaden global perspectives through international engagement. The university stands ready to conduct sustained and in-depth cooperation with the World Bank Group in areas such as academic research and policy studies, he added.

Banga emphasized the importance of building long-term partnerships and proposed establishing regular programs for youth talent exchanges. He spoke highly of Tsinghua University's strengths in relevant fields, introduced five key areas of focus for the World Bank Group and expressed hope for expanded cooperation with Tsinghua University in these areas.

On behalf of Tsinghua University, Bai Benfeng later presented a commemorative gift to the World Bank Group, and said he looked forward to reaching new heights in cooperation.

Participants in the meeting also included representatives from Tsinghua SEM, School of Public Policy and Management, PBC School of Finance, Office of International Affairs, Cyrus Tang Center for Student Global Development and Institute for Global Development.

Group photo of the meeting participants

Following the meeting, Bai Chong-En, distinguished professor of arts, humanities and social sciences at Tsinghua University and dean of SEM, engaged in a stimulating dialogue with Banga themed "A Vision for Global Prosperity: Jobs and Knowledge for Tomorrow". The discussion was moderated by He Ping, associate dean of SEM.

Bai Chong-En in dialogue with Ajay Banga

Bai Chong-En began the dialogue by inviting Banga to introduce the structure and functions of the World Bank Group. Banga explained that the group comprises five organizations working collectively to promote global development and poverty reduction, and to support job creation and economic growth through public-private partnerships. He said the group's greatest asset is on-the-ground knowledge, which links global lessons—such as China's development experiences—to its mission as a "knowledge bank."

After noting that China has achieved remarkable development over the past few decades, Bai Chong-En asked Banga which aspects of China's development journey are most relevant and replicable for addressing challenges faced by other countries. Banga acknowledged China's significant progress, noting that the country has not only achieved impressive results in economic growth and employment, but has also contributed valuable experience in areas such as environmental protection, people's livelihood improvement and knowledge sharing. He noted that China's development experience has provided important reference for global development efforts.

Bai Chong-En also invited Banga to share his experiences in leading and managing complex organizations. Focusing on core themes such as leadership, organizational culture and work efficiency, Banga shared insights and practices from his career. He emphasized that leadership is not an innate power but something earned through daily actions—particularly through guiding team members, providing them with constructive feedback and treating them fairly to support their growth. "Guide them so they grow, and become one day what you are. Leadership is not given to you, but it's owned every day with what you do for the people who work for you."

Finally, Bai Chong-En asked Banga to offer advice to students interested in careers in international development. Banga encouraged young people to align their career choices with their expertise and to gain field experience at an early stage, and connect academic knowledge with real-world challenges. Drawing on his own early career experience, he emphasized the importance of first-hand experience and learning from the grassroots. He concluded by advising against over-planning one's career, and instead recommended embracing flexibility, having the courage to try and being willing to take risks.

In the interactive session, Banga answered students' questions, sharing insights on how the World Bank Group supports developing countries in creating jobs, how to promote the global sharing of cutting-edge technologies such as AI, and how innovation drives employment.

Interactive session

The event was co-hosted by Tsinghua SEM and Institute for Global Development. It attracted nearly 300 participants, including faculty and students from SEM and other schools at Tsinghua University. Representatives from the World Bank Group and China's Ministry of Finance as well as Tsinghua SEM, Cyrus Tang Center for Student Global Development and Institute for Global Development also attended the event.

Group photo from the event

Source: Career Development Center

Editor: Ren Zhongxi