2002 Full-Time MBA Students of BiMBA: Ten-Year Reunion Recalling the Past

Jun 03-2014   

What's the meaning of a decade? It's not just about the passage of time and a change in society, but also self-improvement and lasting friendship. For BiMBA’s full-time MBA class of 2002, the past decade must mean much more than these plain words. Ten years ago, whilst in their 30s with an established career, the class of 2002 took the courageous step of leaving the security of their jobs to return to school. With a greater purpose they put their efforts into learning and returned to the workplace with much with much greater knowledge.

What has become of them in the last ten years?

On May 10, 2014 the 10-year reunion of the 2002 full-time MBA students ("F02") of BiMBA of National School of Development ("NSD") at Peking University was held. Organized by Deng Jianwei, Shi Yu, Liu Lei, Li Ning and other classmates, F02 once again returned to Langrun Garden and their classrooms. They recalled what had happened during the past decade and looked forward to the next one. The same campus, classrooms, classmates and teachers and choice pictures (selected by themselves and Alumni Department) all brought F02 back to their school years. Especially when Professor Ma Hao gave his English opening remark, almost the same as the one he used ten years ago, tears welled in the eyes of these former students.

Professor Ma stated that at that time, he was also a new member of the NSD and F02 were his first students. Back then, he was an assistant professor and BiMBA was also in its infancy. Both a youthful faculty and students explored, grew and achieved together. Today, BiMBA is the top business school in China and boasts the honor of being No,1 in the Ranking List of Most Valuable Business School of Forbes China, which is not only reflection of BiMBA but also of each and every student. Professor Ma remarked that the past decade, whilst short, has witnessed great changes. Our country and its industries have witnessed lots of changes: it's expected that China will replace the USA within several years as the world’s largest economy in terms of GDP; the allure of Motorola and other Fortune 500 foreign enterprises where most classmates had worked ten years ago are now fast fading.

Ma Hao believed that all the students must have experienced huge changes as well.

So, what became of F02? Have they won promotion, chosen other industries, built their own business or witnessed family changes? F02 had 36 students, of whom 26 made it to the reunion. They briefly introduced their experiences in the past decade. Although they stated only a few sentences, the stories and feelings made a deep impression. It was the highlight of the party.

During these years, they have helped each other, longing for reunion. It is their golden age. It's also the important period for national development and industrial adjustment. Just like what the former class leaders expressed in the theme of "10-year Reunion, Recalling the Past".

The faculty also shared their diverse experiences of BiMBA from the view of school. Among them were Assistant Professors Lui Xiaohui and Xie Xuanli, Ms. Wang Xin of Admission Department, Ms. Wang Xiaojie and Ms. Fang Ying of Career & Alumni Department.

Ten years ago, they came back to school for further education. Now, they are elites of industries who boast unfading thirst for more knowledge.

Then, some classmates shared their practical experience and industrial vision.

Li Ning, current at IBM’s Business Services, stated that the IT industry was shrinking while cloud computing, big data, social and mobile became key business. The future industrial transformation was supported by big data, cloud computing and IT interaction. The former two were fields with tremendous potential while the last one was highly praised in the IT industry.

Zhang Xiaohui, a financial professional, delivered his speech under the title of Set out in 30s, Win in 40s. Having been working in the industry of investment banking for 10 years, he went through difficulties and witnessed the ups and downs of Chinese financial industry. He remarked that the industry ‘buzzwords’ have shifted from the theory of stock index of 1000 points, to 6000 points to the ‘Yuebao;’. He also believes that in the next few years, profit market, RMB internationalization and transformation of state-owned enterprises would be the driving forces of industrial optimization.

As a consultant, Guo Leiqing gathered information of various industries. Therefore, he shared his experience about career development, self-improvement and his career dream.

Zhang Li, Dean of the NSD, came to the reunion immediately after he had finished lecturing, expressing his feeling when he saw so many classmates had found time for the event. He noted that F02 were his first students and thus there was a special and unchanging bond between F02 and him. He saw and even took part in the great changes experienced by BiMBA. Now, he wishes to cooperate with all of the classmates to promote the brand of BiMBA with the support from the NSD. Classmates were the most important assets of the NSD, so BiMBA will keep developing alumni associations around the country and provide more networks and platforms. The final goal is to make BiMBA a brand to be proud of for all alumni and students.

Ma Libin shared his experience as an entrepreneur, saying that only with unyielding persistence could one succeed. Ma also offered three tips for potential entrepreneurs: 1. getting well prepared to overcome difficulties and make huge sacrifice; 2. start with what you like; 3. always having a bigger dream and when one dream is fulfilled, one should always pursue a new dream.

After the class sharing, Xiao Jin played the class song. Everyone in the room recalled their MBA days with tears in their eyes. Ms. Xiao also presented her happy family life and changes of working environment.

Professor Zhang Li and Professor Ma Hao then gave the gifts to the classmates behalf of the university. Classmates gave their present as well, a poem for BiMBA of the NSD titled 10 Years: Seeking past in Langrun Garden, and remembering old days at the lake, together, we recall the life in our 30s and look into the future. Teachers' words guide us to go forward. We, all students, support Chinese development around the country.

Against the touching melody, Professor Ma said that he was already expecting more reunions.