Tianjin, China — Trinity Western University (TWU) and Tianjin University of Finance and Economics (TUFE) celebrated the 2025 graduation of the Great Wall Master of Business Administration (MBA) program on Sept. 28, 2025, at TUFE’s Tianjin campus. The ceremony recognized not only the academic success of this year’s MBA graduates but also the ongoing international partnership between the two universities.
A Legacy of Global Education
For years, the Great Wall MBA has provided international business education that prepares graduates to lead with both professional competence and moral character. Delivered in English by faculty from both universities, the program equips students with a global perspective, strategic vision, and mastery of core business disciplines such as financial management, human resource management, and organizational leadership.
A long-standing and successful cooperative MBA initiative, the Great Wall MBA reflects a shared mission between TUFE and TWU: to train future business leaders who combine skill with integrity, and strategy with compassion.
Over the past decade, the program has expanded beyond Tianjin to include cohorts in Shanghai and Beijing, graduating hundreds of students who now serve in leadership roles across China and beyond.
Strengthening a Long-standing Partnership
Before the commencement, TUFE President Dr. Meng Hao and Party Secretary Dr. Zhao Ming met with Dr. Todd F. Martin, president of TWU, Dr. Mark Lee, dean of the TWU School of Business, and Dr. Chen Liu, associate dean, Graduate Programs (MBA & EMBA) and professor of Finance, to renew their cooperation agreement. This reaffirmed their shared goal of advancing innovative and globally focused management education.
Dr. Meng described the Great Wall MBA program as one of China’s earliest and most respected Sino-foreign cooperative MBA initiatives, highlighting its strong reputation built on mutual trust and academic excellence. The agreement is formally signed by both universities and marks the continuation of over a decade-long partnership to bring exceptional business training to the global stage.
A Celebration of Achievement & Partnership
The graduation ceremony, held in TUFE’s Building M Auditorium, was presided over by Dr. Chen Liu. Dignitaries and notable guests included Dr. Zhao Ming, Dr. Ma Yaming (vice president, TUFE), Dr. Zhang Jianyu (dean, TUFE School of Business), Dr. Todd F. Martin, and Dr. Mark Lee, along with faculty, graduates, and their families.
Dr. Zhao congratulated the class of 2025 and expressed appreciation to TWU, the faculty, and the graduates’ families for their support. Reflecting on many years of successful partnership, he praised the program’s success in fostering cross-cultural understanding and leadership grounded in advanced management.
He encouraged the graduates to embrace lifelong learning, innovation, responsibility, and optimism as they stepped into the next stage of their professional journeys.
When Business Values People & Relationships
In his keynote address, Dr. Todd F. Martin spoke about the shared philosophy at the heart of the TWU and TUFE partnership: that business is ultimately about people and relationships.
“As someone trained in sociology, I’ve learned that strong institutions and communities are built on trust and connection,” Dr. Martin said. “This same truth applies in business: without trust, sustainable success cannot exist.”
Dr. Martin concluded by encouraging graduates to approach their careers with integrity and empathy: “Be intentional about relationships. Build trust before you pitch. Let character shape your strategy. You are evidence that this partnership works—when we lead with relationships, success follows.”
Dean Mark Lee’s Challenge: “Courage, Curiosity, Compassion”
Representing the faculty, Dr. Mark Lee, dean of the TWU School of Business, delivered a lively and heartfelt message organized around three guiding words: Courage, Curiosity, and Compassion.
“Earning an MBA takes courage—courage to take risks, to ask questions, and to face uncertainty with confidence,” he said. “Curiosity keeps you learning, innovating, and adapting in a world that changes faster than ever. And compassion reminds us that business isn’t only about profit—it’s about people.”
He encouraged graduates to use these principles as a compass for impactful leadership. “When you step out with courage, keep learning with curiosity, and lead with compassion, you won’t just be MBAs—you’ll be changemakers,” Dr. Lee concluded, as the audience broke into applause.
Celebrating Perseverance & Purpose
Delivering the opening and closing remarks, Dr. Chen Liu, associate dean, Graduate Programs (MBA & EMBA), commended the graduates for their hard work and perseverance throughout their studies.
“What you have gained is far more than academic success,” she said. “You have developed leadership, adaptability, and integrity—the qualities the world urgently needs in its next generation of business leaders.”
She also expressed appreciation to the families and friends who supported the graduates, calling for a round of applause in their honour. “You stand today as proof of what dedication, collaboration, and faith in purpose can achieve,” she told the class of 2025.
2025 Great Wall MBA graduates pose together following the conferral of degrees at TUFE’s Tianjin campus.
A Memorable Conclusion
The ceremony concluded with the official conferral of degrees, followed by photo sessions with university leaders and graduates on TUFE’s Tianjin campus. The atmosphere was filled with celebration and gratitude, marking both the graduates’ achievements and the enduring friendship between TWU and TUFE.
“Our collaboration with TUFE embodies what we at TWU hold dear,” Dr. Martin said. “Education that builds competence, character, and compassion across cultures—that is how we change the world.”
About TWU's School of Business
As Canada’s premier Christian business school, we offer a rare blend of academic excellence and hands-on experience to prepare students to lead and inspire tomorrow’s world. Learn more at TWU's School of Business.
About Trinity Western University
Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is a global Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students for life. Uniting faith and reason through Christian teaching and scholarship, TWU is a research institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in the humanities and sciences as well as in several professional schools. It has campuses in Canada in Langley, Richmond, and Ottawa. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Instagram @trinitywestern, Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca.