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Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center Hosts Alumni Gathering to Strengthen Global Connections with Tsinghua University Alumni and Program Fellows31 October 2024


Denpasar, Bali – October 26, 2024 – Approaching the two-year milestone since its inauguration at the G20 Bali, the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center (TSEA) held a virtual alumni gathering joined by 107 alumni of Tsinghua University and program fellows of TSEA on October 26, 2024. The gathering aimed to gain insights into the evolving needs of Tsinghua alumni and program fellows, explore possibilities of TSEA’s support in meeting these growing demands, and showcase the center’s impactful initiatives and collaborative potential.


The gathering commenced with opening remarks from a distinguished lineup of speakers from the Indonesian government and Tsinghua University. H.E. Prof. Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, recently appointed Chairman of Indonesia’s National Economic Council and Honorary Professor at Tsinghua University, shared his vision to enhance Indonesia’s resilience in tackling pressing global challenges, including food security, energy transition, climate change, and complex geopolitical landscapes, and emphasized the role that China and Tsinghua University can have in generating impactful research and innovation in these areas.  

H.E Prof. Satryo Soemantri Brodjonegoro, Minister Of Higher Education, Science, and Technology of the Republic Of Indonesia, praised TSEA as a milestone in Indonesia-China educational cooperation and announced the forthcoming Tri Hita Karana Center of Future Knowledge which will drive pioneering research and foster collaborations aimed at improving the well-being of diverse communities, in alignment with Tsinghua University's core values. H.E Prof. Mari Elka Pangestu, Presidential Special Envoy For International Trade And Multilateral Cooperation of the Republic of Indonesia, emphasized the critical need for partnerships in tackling pressing global challenges as she called on Tsinghua alumni to leverage their expertise and networks to foster innovation, sustainable development, and stronger connections between Indonesia and China, especially in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through impactful initiatives like the Global Blended Finance Alliance. Prof. Stella Christie, an Indonesian-born Tsinghua University professor recently appointed as Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science, and Technology for the Republic of Indonesia, highlighted President Prabowo's vision for strengthening Indonesia’s economy through strategic downstreaming and emphasized the need for partnerships, particularly with China, to advance human capital and science and technology. 

Prof. Yang Bin, Vice President of Tsinghua University, reminded the vital role of alumni as  ambassadors of Tsinghua’s values and highlighted TSEA as a crucial bridge, linking the university’s academic strength to the dynamic professional landscapes of Southeast Asia, in which he added the importance of alumni involvement, “The role of our alumni in this endeavor is irreplaceable. Your expertise, your networks, and your commitment to Tsinghua’s ideals are what will drive these collaborative efforts forward.” Furthermore, Dean Wang Xiaoxiao, Director of the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center, expressed excitement at reuniting this global community and encouraged alumni to remain engaged with TSEA by collaborating, sharing insights, and contributing to the center’s mission of fostering positive change across the region. The Chair of the Board of Management of TSEA, Prof. Edward Crawley from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), provided perspective on the critical need for sustainable development and collaborative innovation in shaping the future and further highlighted TSEA’s strategic location in Southeast Asia as an ideal bridge between East and West, poised to advance AI, global energy solutions, and inclusive growth. 

Mr. Tang Jie, Secretary General of the Tsinghua Alumni Association, highlighted the association's vast network of 300,000 members, organized across regions, faculties, interest groups, and committees. Noting recent alumni conferences in North America and Switzerland, he announced plans to bring the next Tsinghua Alumni event to Southeast Asia and welcomed input from participants on making this vision a reality. Adding a personal perspective to the gathering, Ibu Dumasi Marisina Magdalena Samosir, Director of Sinar Mas Insurance and HDX Program Fellow, spoke passionately about her transformative experience with the HDX program. She emphasized the importance of the adaptability and human-centered design skills that she gained from the program, and shared her pride in a group project, "Happy Planet," where they successfully trained weavers in the Lake Toba region to create sustainable textiles from recycled plastic waste, advancing circular economy efforts in Indonesia. 

Breakout Sessions Spark Collaborative Dialogue among Alumni, Tsinghua Leaders, and Government Patrons

  

Following an impactful plenary session, the Alumni Gathering continued with breakout discussions focused on several key topics: 1) Academic programs, 2) Southeast Asia network & partnerships, 3) Regional branding & recognition, and 4) Research & industry collaboration. Each session was facilitated by a representative from the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center designed to gather insights and foster dialogue among government patrons, Tsinghua community leaders, and alumni participants.

 

Academic Programs

The Academic Programs breakout room was facilitated by Prof. Mats Hanson, Professor Emeritus of KTH Royal Institute of Technology Sweden and Chair of TSEA Faculty, and opened with valuable perspectives from Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Abdul Haris, Director General For Higher Education, Research, and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia, in which he highlighted the positive influence of global, multi-sector collaborations on advancing higher education in Indonesia, acknowledging and thanking Tsinghua University and TSEA for the productive collaborations that both institutions have cultivated with local Indonesian universities. He also noted that the ministry is actively addressing key challenges, including accessibility, quality, and relevance within the higher education system and invited Tsinghua University and TSEA to collaborate further in these efforts. 

Dean Wang Xiaoxiao, emphasized the importance of professionals staying current with evolving skills as industries and technology trends continue to advance rapidly. This aligns with TSEA’s efforts to deliver world-class executive education that empower leaders with necessary skills and knowledge to be able to integrate technology effectively within their industries. This mission is reflected in the success of TSEA’s programs, such as Happy Digital X and the Tsinghua Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, and will continue with the upcoming 2025 executive education program, Smart Supply Chain Management, focused on supply chain innovation. 

Several attendees also contributed valuable perspectives. Hans, a Schwarzman Scholar, emphasized that while talent development is essential, effective distribution of that talent is equally critical. Hana Yulia, a Tsinghua postgraduate student, added an important point: beyond advancing technology, it’s crucial to give back to society by preparing people for technological shifts and anticipating the impacts these changes may bring.

 

Southeast Asia Network & Partnerships

To open the session on Southeast Asia Network & Partnerships, Andrew Chin, President of the Tsinghua University School of Economics & Management (SEM) Singapore Alumni Association, highlighted the association’s commitment to supporting professional growth in AI, technology, and startups. With regular events in Singapore focused on business and technological innovation. Chin envisions new synergies through collaborative events with TSEA, including in-person sessions in Singapore and Bali and virtual meetings via Zoom. 

Furthermore, Arif Ilham Adnan from Association of Digital Leaders Indonesia shared his collaborative work with the Indonesian government and Tsinghua University, emphasizing that over 350 leaders in Indonesia are engaged in digital transformation projects. He expressed strong interest in expanding these collaborations, leveraging his budget to not only enhance educational efforts but also to bring Chinese technology to Indonesia, fostering commercial ties between the two nations. Kenny Kusumo, President Director of PT Transmarina Port, highlighted Indonesia’s strategic geographical position, which supports a variety of projects across Southeast Asia and positions Indonesia as a regional connector. Arif added that Indonesia could act as a bridge between the U.S. and China, fostering cooperation through mutual interests in digital transformation.

Summarizing the session, H.E Tantowi Yahya, President of United in Diversity, underscored the strategic importance of the ideas shared and urged TSEA and the Tsinghua Alumni Association to explore their role in facilitating these initiatives. Lucy Zhu further encouraged more events that connect alumni, which would give current students insight into real-world challenges and how their education can be applied practically.

 

Regional Branding and Recognition

The session on Regional Branding and Recognition began with Bonanza Perwira Taihitu from the Ministry of Health highlighting ongoing efforts between Tsinghua University, Indonesian and Chinese Health Ministry, in areas such as vaccine production and genomics. He emphasized the role of Tsinghua and its alumni in promoting AI applications in the health sector. Bonanza also advocated for the continued involvement of Tsinghua alumni, government, and other stakeholders to drive impactful initiatives that can be implemented in Indonesia, leveraging the facilities of Kura-Kura Island Bali to expand collaborations across Southeast Asia.

Rahmad Widjaja Sakti of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), emphasized the importance of strategic relationships, or guanxi, and deep understanding (iphu) when building partnerships with China. He encouraged the use of the KADIN Indonesia-China Committee (KIKT) networks to connect Southeast Asian, Chinese, and Indonesian entrepreneurs, creating a unified brand for Indo-China business relations. Additionally, Carolyn added that a dedicated liaison entity is essential for facilitating collaborations between Southeast Asian, Chinese, and Indonesian business sectors, ensuring productive partnerships and further strengthening Indonesia’s role in regional collaborations.

 

Research and Industry Collaboration

Prof. Song Sen facilitated the Research and Industry Collaboration breakout room from Tsinghua University’s Department of Biomedical Engineering. Dr. L. Rizka Andalucia, Director General of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Ministry of Health of the Republic of Indonesia highlighted examples of current tri-sector collaborations such as the launching of the Indonesia-China Joint Research and Development Laboratory on Vaccines, Genomics, Antibody Discovery and Engineering at TSEA in August of this year, while Pandu Patria Sjahrir, Vice President Director, PT TBS Energi Utama Tbk emphasized the importance of research collaborations throughout his business operations to improve sustainability. 

Opening up the discussion, Prof. Song Sen highlighted the role of TSEA in fostering collaboration and offered to connect alumni industry leaders with professors at Tsinghua University. Kevin Laurence, an alumni of the Tsinghua-INSEAD executive MBA program, spoke from the perspective of the healthcare industry, highlighting the need to not only exchange knowledge, but also best practices and expertise. He also emphasized that we can learn from everywhere - the United States, Europe, and especially China. 

Glenn Wijaya made the generous offer to contribute his expertise in corporate law to TSEA’s programs and activities, noting the importance of understanding and following the law in all areas of study and industry. He stressed the importance of creating a central database of all alumni in the region and the role TSEA can play in connecting relevant alumni from different backgrounds, such as law and medicine. Several other alumni praised the efforts of TSEA to contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and urged the center to expand these efforts to other regions in Indonesia.

Looking Ahead 

In her closing remarks, Cherie Nursalim,  Board of Trustee of the Tsinghua Southeast Asia Center, warmly thanked all attendees for their insights and contributions to this valuable gathering. She emphasized that Indonesia’s future lies in collaborative efforts across China, Southeast Asia, and beyond, supporting participants' calls for partnerships with the U.S., U.K., and other global regions. Reflecting on past initiatives like the Global Blended Finance Alliance and the forthcoming Tri Hita Karana Center of Future Knowledge, she shared her vision for stronger South-South collaborations, adding, “It’s just the beginning of a journey.”