Schwarzman Scholars Announces Class of 2024-2025: Incoming Scholars from 43 Countries to Join Growing Network of 1,000+ Young Global Leaders

December 6, 2023

NEW YORK, NY, USA and BEIJING, CHINA Dec. 6, 2023 — Schwarzman Scholars, one of the world’s most prestigious graduate fellowship programs, today announced its ninth cohort of admitted students.

The 150 Scholars, representing 43 countries and 114 universities from around the world, will receive the opportunity to attend a one-year, fully-funded master’s degree program in global affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing, China.

The impressive caliber of this year’s admitted students and the near-record high number of applicants demonstrate that young leaders are increasingly invested in understanding China and fostering global collaboration. The Class of 2025 was selected from a pool of over 4,000 candidates.

With the incoming cohort, the Schwarzman Scholars network expands to include over 1,200 members from a total of 100 countries and 424 institutions worldwide.

The Schwarzman Scholars Class of 2025 is comprised of many exceptional young leaders, including:

An Emmy nominee
A top-20 young entrepreneur in Africa (Anzisha Prize recipient)
A policy advisor to Canada’s Minister of Labour and Seniors
The leader of a water infrastructure and sustainability project that provides clean water to 30,000 residents in Kenya
A founder of a cyber security company who is on the Irish Independent “30 Under 30”
The co-founder of a non-profit organization which provides community resources and support to first-generation Chinese immigrants in North America
A U.S. national competitive figure skater
The co-founder of a pharmaceutical company focused on neurodegenerative and psychiatric illnesses
A winner of the China Youth May Fourth Medal
The co-founder of a non-profit organization empowering young leaders in Guinea
An NCAA All-American swimmer
The co-founder of the first set of licensed Tedx conferences on education in Moldova
The founder of a real estate tech start-up
Numerous valedictorians, entrepreneurs in industries like tech and tourism, and members of the Forbes “30 under 30”

More information on the incoming class can be found here.

“The caliber of this incoming class and their potential fills me with optimism for the future,” said Stephen A. Schwarzman, Founding Trustee of Schwarzman Scholars. “This year’s selected Scholars are keenly interested in learning about China, which is now more important than ever in this complex geopolitical environment. They are ready to engage thoughtfully with global issues and eager to make a positive impact on the world.”

“I am sure that Schwarzman College will benefit tremendously from this new cohort of Scholars, who will also enrich Tsinghua University’s intellectual and cultural environments in so many ways,” said Xue Lan, Dean of Schwarzman College. “Their innovative spirit and leadership potential will provide new vitality and energy for the global community to respond to various challenges and promote peace and development.”

Scholars are selected through a competitive application process designed to identify leadership potential, intellect, and strength of character. Close to 400 candidates were invited to interview with panels of CEOs, government leaders, university presidents, and non-profit executives, among others.

Starting in August 2024, the Scholars will engage in a graduate curriculum focused on the pillars of leadership, global affairs, and China. The students are taught by leading faculty from Tsinghua and other internationally recognized universities. They also attend lectures delivered by prominent global thought leaders. Scholars gain exposure to China through mentoring, internships, and experiential learning. Additionally, career development is provided to help Scholars lead and excel in various fields upon graduation.

The program’s unique combination of coursework, cultural immersion, and personal and professional development equips Schwarzman Scholars with a well-rounded understanding of China’s changing role in the world, critically important to leadership in any field in the 21st century.

“The accomplishments of the admitted class already are truly outstanding.” said Cordel Faulk, Director of Global Admissions. “We are all very excited to welcome these 150 young leaders into the Schwarzman Scholars community. We are confident they will make excellent contributions in the next year and beyond.”

About Schwarzman Scholars

Schwarzman Scholars is a one-year, fully-funded master’s degree program in global affairs at Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University in Beijing, China. An unparalleled learning experience, it is the first scholarship of its kind created to respond to the geopolitical landscape of the 21st century and designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders.

Each year, up to 200 candidates from around the world are selected to join a diverse cohort. Schwarzman Scholars seeks candidates with leadership qualities and the potential to foster cross-cultural understanding. Scholars come from a wide variety of industries and backgrounds, such as business, technology, politics, healthcare, and more. Schwarzman Scholars’ dynamic curriculum—based on the pillars of China, leadership, and global affairs—is designed to provide Scholars with the knowledge, skills, and firsthand experience needed to navigate the complexities of the evolving global landscape. Through an immersive experience in China, Scholars spend a year living in Beijing, studying at the prestigious Tsinghua University under the guidance of leading academics and global thought leaders.

Schwarzman Scholars was established in 2013 by Founding Trustee Stephen A. Schwarzman. Inspired by his vision, Schwarzman Scholars aspires to create a global network of leaders who will shape the future.

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For more information, please contact: pressroom@schwarzmanscholars.org