To further deepen industry-education integration and strengthen the collaborative talent cultivation mechanism between schools and enterprises, China-ASEAN School of Economics held a grand ceremony on the afternoon of November 15, 2025, to appoint off-campus cooperative mentors for master students and hold a faculty-student symposium. This initiative aims to fully leverage the practical guidance role of external mentors in master's training, precisely align with industry demands, and enhance talent cultivation quality. The event gathered Executive Deputy Secretary Jiang Wei, heads of master's mentor groups, appointed off-campus mentors, and representatives of in-house mentors to witness this significant milestone. The ceremony was presided over by Professor Tan Chunzhi, Vice Dean of the school.

Scene of the ceremony

At the opening ceremony, Jiang Wei, Executive Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School, delivered a speech on behalf of the school. He first expressed heartfelt gratitude to external mentors who have long supported the cultivation of master students, emphasizing that these external mentors serve as vital bridges connecting academia with industry and integrating theory with practice. Jiang Wei stated that the school will seize this appointment ceremony as an opportunity to deepen collaboration with external mentors, jointly contributing greater efforts to advancing the master's education and cultivating high-quality applied talents.

Address by Executive Deputy Secretary General Jiang Wei

Subsequently, three external mentorship advisors—Hu Zhipeng for the Financial Master's program, Lai Shoulin for the International Business program, and Zhang Hua for the Insurance program—took the stage in turn. Acknowledging the college's trust and recognition, the mentors shared their industry insights, drawing from decades of professional experience to discuss current trends and talent demands in the sector. They pledged to fully commit to their advisory roles, generously sharing practical expertise and industry resources to enhance graduate students' professional competencies and career readiness, helping them better adapt to workplace challenges.

During the solemn appointment ceremony, Vice Dean Tan Chunzhi of the school announced the list of external collaborative mentors for the 2025 cohort of master's students. Executive Deputy Secretary Jiang Wei then presented appointment letters to each newly appointed mentor. These modest documents embodied the shared responsibility and expectations of university-industry collaboration in talent development. They pledged to fulfill their mentorship duties with professional expertise and rigorous dedication, ensuring comprehensive support for graduate students' growth and success.

Group photo of participants of 2025 Off-Campus Mentor Appointment Ceremony and Faculty-Student Symposium for Master Students

Then the Finance, International Business, and Insurance departments organized separate faculty-student seminars. During these sessions, external mentors shared their professional expertise, addressing students' questions with patience while offering practical career guidance. They provided actionable advice on enhancing practical skills and building professional competitiveness. The lively exchange created an interactive atmosphere where participants unanimously expressed that this experience not only clarified their academic priorities but also offered clear insights into future career paths, proving to be highly beneficial.

The successful hosting of the External Collaborative Mentor Appointment Ceremony and Faculty-Student Symposium has significantly enhanced communication and collaboration between campus faculty, students and external mentors. In the near future, the school will deepen partnerships with enterprises across various industries, fully leverage the expertise of external mentors, and drive deeper integration of teaching and practical training. These efforts will establish a solid foundation for cultivating high-quality applied professionals who meet evolving industry demands.

Written by Wang Hui

Translated by AI

Proof Read by Yu Na, Chen Yanyang

Edited by Gan Ziying

Reviewed by Gong Zheng