The Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) held its 2025 Opening Ceremony on September 19 at Wenzhi Hall, at the Xuhui Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). The event welcomed nearly 600 new students from the MF, MBA, EMBA, and Ph.D. programs.
The ceremony was presided over by Muzhi Wang—Deputy Secretary of the CPC SAIF Committee and Associate Dean of SAIF—and attended by SJTU and SAIF leaders, professors, and faculty representatives, including: Xinghao Jiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC SJTU Committee and Vice President of SJTU; Shijun Cheng, Executive Dean of SAIF; Xinan Zhang, Secretary of the CPC SAIF Committee; Eric Chang, Senior Advisor to the Executive Dean of SAIF; and Professors Fei Wu, Zhipeng Yan, Bingbing Dong, and Zhihao Yin.
On behalf of SJTU, Vice President Jiang warmly welcomed the students and shared three expectations for their postgraduate journey: to serve national strategies through finance, embrace innovation with SJTU's pioneering spirit, and develop solid professional capabilities through rigorous academic training.
Professor Zhipeng Yan, speaking on behalf of SAIF faculty, shared "Five Embraces" with new students: embrace learning, classmates, campus opportunities, the AI era, and life experiences.
New student representative Yufan Wan (Ph.D. 2025) emphasized the need for both exploration courage and academic persistence, urging peers to focus on China-specific financial challenges. Xiaotian Zhang, a student from the MBA Program, Class of 2023, shared her SAIF learning experience, highlighting the innovative curriculum and importance of practical experience.
The ceremony also featured the presentation of SJTU and SAIF badges. Executive Dean Cheng presented the badges to representatives of the new students from various programs.
The First Lesson
During the "First Lesson of SAIF," Secretary Zhang highlighted SJTU's legacy in fostering interdisciplinary financial talent and advancing finance-industry integration. He outlined SAIF's vision and achievements in faculty development, talent cultivation, and policy research, noting that studying at SAIF empowers students to realize personal value while contributing to China's financial strength. He urged students to uphold the SJTU spirit and dedicate their youth to advancing the country's financial sector.
Earlier, on September 14, SAIF organized full-time postgraduate freshmen to attend SJTU's Graduate Student Opening Ceremony at Minhang Campus. Students participated in a luncheon with Vice President Jiang and visited the SJTU History Museum.
Supported by Shanghai Jiao Tong University and the Shanghai Municipal People's Government over the past sixteen years, SAIF has pursued its mission to become a world-class financial institute rooted in Shanghai, serving the nation, and influencing the globe. The institute has established leadership in financial research and high-end financial education, earning recognition in China and overseas. The 2025 cohort, with diverse backgrounds, embarks on their SAIF journey prepared to contribute to China's financial future.
