NEW YORK, NY, USA and BEIJING, CHINA April 25, 2026 — Schwarzman Scholars this week hosted its first Global Alumni Reunion, bringing together more than 1,000 alumni, partners, and donors in Beijing to celebrate the program’s 10-year anniversary.
The milestone event convened Scholars from all ten cohorts, representing a decade of global leadership, collaboration, and impact. The Reunion provided a rare opportunity for alumni from around the world to reconnect, exchange ideas, and reflect on the program’s growth and influence over its first decade.
Founded by Stephen A. Schwarzman, Schwarzman Scholars was created to foster greater international understanding by bringing together future leaders from around the world for a one-year master’s degree in global affairs at Beijing’s Tsinghua University.
“This anniversary marks an important moment for the program,” said Schwarzman. “Schwarzman Scholars was built for this moment, when the world demands deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and a new generation of globally minded leaders. What this community has achieved in just ten years is extraordinary, and we see it as a foundation for what comes next. Our mission is far from complete.”
The week-long Reunion included alumni-led programming with interactive sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities. Topics spanned entrepreneurship, emerging technologies, and career development.
On Friday, April 24, coinciding with Tsinghua University’s 115th Anniversary weekend, the Schwarzman Scholars community gathered at Tsinghua University’s New Tsinghua Xuetang for a commemorative ceremony highlighting the enduring partnership that has enabled Schwarzman Scholars to attain such success. The program featured remarks from:
- YU Yingjie, Secretary of the Educational Work Committee of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee
- LI Luming, President of Tsinghua University
- Stephen A. Schwarzman, Founding Trustee of Schwarzman Scholars
- XUE Lan, Dean of Schwarzman College
- Zahra Baitie, Schwarzman Scholar Class of 2017-2018
- HU Weixun, Schwarzman Scholar Class of 2019-2020
YANG Bin, Vice Chairperson of the Tsinghua University Council, served as master of ceremonies. Joining the celebration were QIU Yong, Party Secretary of Tsinghua University; YANG Dan of the Chinese Ministry of Education; YANG Zhilun of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs; as well as Schwarzman Scholars and Tsinghua University leadership, donors, faculty, alumni, and friends of the program.
Following the ceremony, attendees participated in a panel discussion on “Leadership in the 21st Century,” featuring Joe Tsai, Co-founder of Alibaba Group; YAO Ming, global basketball superstar and sports executive; and YANG Lan, broadcast journalist and media entrepreneur, alongside Schwarzman. Moderated by YANG Bin, the discussion explored leadership across business, media, sport, and international collaboration.
Throughout the week, alumni also returned to Schwarzman College, where they once lived and studied, to reflect on the shared experiences and lifelong connections that define the program.
Founded on Schwarzman’s vision to create a network of future global leaders who will strengthen international collaboration and cooperation, the program has grown into a dynamic and influential global community. Since its launch, more than 1,300 alumni from over 100 countries and nearly 500 institutions worldwide have completed the program. Today, they are making a significant impact across sectors including business, government, law, energy, sustainability, healthcare, technology, and the arts. At Schwarzman College, Scholars complete a master’s degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University through a curriculum centered on Global Affairs, China, and Leadership. The program is designed to equip Scholars with a deep understanding of China’s role in the world, prepare them to navigate complex global challenges, and develop them as informed, empathetic, and culturally attuned leaders. Tsinghua University is consistently recognized as one of the world’s leading academic institutions, currently ranked 12th globally and first in Asia by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026.
The tenth cohort of Schwarzman Scholars will graduate on June 28, 2026. For more information, please visit www.schwarzmanscholars.org.