On the evening of March 7th local time, the 2024 Alumni Reunion of the Tsinghua University–Johns Hopkins University SAIS Dual-Master’s Program (TSDM) was held at the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg Center in Washington, D.C. Alumni and students from the first to the eighth (current) cohort were united in one place, reminiscing over old times and shared memories while meeting new friends from other cohorts. Topics of conversation ranged from unique living experiences all around the world to knowledge and advice about different academic and professional endeavors. Professor Tang Xiaoyang, Department Chair of International Relations at Tsinghua University, who was attending academic conferences in Washington D.C., also joined the reunion. He participated in lively conversations with alumni and students and shared perspectives and advice on study, work, and life. Director Brian McEntee and Jaime Warren of the Office of Academic Advising at JHU SAIS were present at the reunion as well and discussed operations of the TSDM Program with Professor Tang.
In the opening remarks, Professor Tang pointed out that the TSDM program marks the first time that Chinese and American universities jointly offered a dual-degree academic program in global governance. The program aims to train high-caliber professionals in policy analysis, design, and implementation at a global level, while building bridges and bonds among young international scholars to foster dialogue and cooperation. Professor Tang was delighted to see that alumni of the program are working at the United Nations, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund, and other public and multilateral organizations, think tanks, and corporations, contributing to international affairs and public governance.
Professor Tang also encouraged current students to take advantage of the rich and valuable alumni network of the program and seek advice and guidance from members of previous cohorts. Students should undertake career planning based on personal comparative advantages and endeavor toward their aspirations, he advised.
Alumni at the reunion emphasized the happiness they felt meeting Professor Tang and classmates again years after graduation and expressed the wish that reunions be held more often. They cherished the opportunity to converse with the professor and classmates and hope to help younger students through sharing their experience. Current students also voiced the warmth and care they felt listening to words of advice from the professor and older peers. They hope to keep in touch with fellow program members and learn from them.
At the end of the reunion, a group photo was taken to capture and commemorate the joyful evening.
