The Princeton Alumni Association of Beijing

PAABJ Dinner with Geshe Michael Roach ’75

alexedmunds — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 10:20:54 +0000

Late last month, the Princeton Alumni Association of Beijing hosted a dinner with Geshe Michael Roach ’75 at Susu Vietnamese restaurant in the Hutongs. Mr. Roach is the first American to have been awarded the degree of Geshe, or Master of Buddhism, after more than 20 years of study in Tibetan monasteries, and he shared his experiences becoming a master of Tibetan Buddhism as well as in business. He also founded the Andin International Diamond Corporation and brought it to annual sales of over $100 million, donating his profits to international aid projects. Mr. Roach shared excerpts of his book about achieving business and personal success through generosity, The Diamond Cutter, which has become a global bestseller in 20 languages.

Dinner with Geshe Michael Roach ’75

Austin Hu *95 Speaks at Opening of PAABJ-TIC Joint Speaker Program

alexedmunds — Fri, 10 Aug 2012 04:58:47 +0000

Dr. E.C. Hwa (left), formerly chief economist for World Bank East Pacific Region, and Mr. Austin Hu *95 (right), formerly chief representative for the World Bank, give a panel on China’s Role in Confronting the Challenges Posed by the Current State of the Global Economy

On Sunday morning, members of PAABJ congregated with members of the executive management training program for the first talk of the PAABJ-TIC Joint Speaker Series. The talks featured Mr. Austin Hu *95–Partner at GL Capital Group, former Deputy Director of the World Bank Beijing office, and formerly Chief Representative of Golman Sachs International Bank–and Dr. E.C. Hwa–formerly lead economist for the World Bank East Pacific Region. The talk, titled China’s Role in Confronting the Challenges Posed by the Current State of the Global Economy, explored first the macro trends driving the currently challenging economic environment with Mr. Hu, and then the policy implications this has for China in the near term with Dr. Hwa.

Following the discussion was a vibrant Q&A where members of executive management program and Princeton alike asked what implications declining inflation and local government debt had for their business in the short term. Following the discussion, attendees stuck around for tea and exchanged business cards with other attendees of the speaker series.

The next joint speaker panel will occur in late August with a Tsinghua speaker chairing.

Princeton Day of Service

alexedmunds — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 04:27:55 +0000

Members of the Princeton Alumni Association and our new “little buddies”

In late May, members of the Princeton Alumni Association in Beijing traveled up to the Xingongmin School (第一新公民学校) which is located around the NW 5th ring road, and spent an afternoon with migrant children, as well as help clean the school and partake in numerous other activities which the school has asked us to help out with.

It was great to spend time with these children, to learn about their backgrounds, and to brighten their day up a bit. After the day of service, the PAABJ participants joined with members of the Yale club who participated in the day of service for a BBQ.

PAABJ-TIC Joint Program Commencement

Admin — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 02:11:59 +0000

Signing the Framework for Cooperation are (from left for Princeton) Mr. Alex Edmunds ’09, Ms. Eva Lerner-Lam ’76, Mr. Austin Hu *95, Mr. Alex Galimberti ’09, Ms. Hu W’95

In late May, members of PAABJ joined with the Tsinghua Innovation Center (TIC) at Tsinghua University to commence a joint program between PAABJ and the TIC. At the commencement, we outlined the principles of the joint program and the first two initiatives–a monthly joint speaker series beginning on Sunday, July 29 and an internship program for recent graduates at small and medium sized Chinese enterprises.

The opening event of the joint program will be held next Sunday morning at Tsinghua University with a talk by Mr. Austin Hu *95 titled ”China’s Role in Confronting the Challenges Posed by the Current State of the Global Economy“. We hope to see you there!

PAABJ-Tsinghua Innovation Center Joint Program

Admin — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 13:48:59 +0000

Over the last several years, the Princeton Alumni Association of Beijing has been working to help alumni get plugged into China and build a rolidex. The officers of the alumni association are proud to announce a major step in this effort with the launch of a joint program with the Tsinghua Innovation Center.

The Tsinghua Innovation Center is a graduate school of the prestigious Tsinghua University. With three campuses–in Beijing, Shenzhen, and outside of Shanghai–the Innovation Center provides executive training programs for leaders of small and medium sized enterprises. In addition, the parent organization runs a venture capital fund that invests in early- and growth-stage companies in China.

To begin, the joint program will consist of a monthly joint speaker series beginning on July 29 with Mr. Austin Hu *95, former Deputy Chief of Mission for the World Bank in China speaking on economic development policies. The joint program is also putting together an internship program for recent graduates to get experience working in small and medium sized Chinese companies for set rotations.

We hope you can join us at the opening event at Tsinghua University on Sunday morning July 29.

PAABJ-TIC Framework for Cooperation

PAABJ at the Tsinghua Innovation Center Annual Gala

alexedmunds — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 16:24:29 +0000

Earlier this month, members of the Princeton Alumni Association of Beijing and Hong Kong headed to Shenzhen for the annual gala of the Research Institute of Tsinghua in Shenzhen. In the process of forming a cooperation with the Research Institute of Tsinghua in Shenzhen, the Princeton Alumni Association took the opportunity to join the gala and visit the institute headquarters.

PAABJ Members Signing Names at the Gala Entrance

The gala was the premier event of the weekend in Guangdong, attracting entrepreneurs, businessmen, and alumni across the country. Head of the institute, Dr. Ji Shishan, gave the opening speech followed by PAABJ president Alex Edmunds. Following dinner, the graduating classes of alumni gave “skits” on display throughout the region via Guangdong tv.

The following day, the Princeton delegation visited the institute headquarters, where we viewed the most important inventions to have come out of the institute, including a drug for SARS. We were also given an introduction to the institute by former head of the Tsinghua Venture Capital Fund, Dr. Fang Zhu. In the afternoon, the delegation crossed the strait to Zhuhai, where we saw the Science Park.

Princeton Alumni Association delegation meets with RITS Officials

We hope that more experiences like these can lead to more interaction and closer cooperation between China’s leading entrepreneurs and those from the West.

Tsinghua Professor, Patrick Chovanec ’92, featured in the WSJ About the Health of Chinese Banks

Alexander Galimberti — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 11:28:25 +0000

Patrick Chovanec ’92, associate professor at Tsinghua’s School of Economics and Management, recently had an op-ed piece in The Wall Street Journal on the worrying health of China’s banking system. Prof. Chovanec’s op-ed piece, which is entitled “Chinese Banks Are Worse Off Than You Think”, argues that the while officials reassure that Chinese banks are in good shape based on a few important indicators, in actual fact these indicators disguise underlying intrinsic problems which afflict the entire banking system. The full article can be found here.

Prof. Chovanec is regularly featured in both prominent Chinese and Western media about a wide variety of economic issues. He regularly blogs about his thoughts on China’s economy on his personal blog which can be found here. Recently, the PAABJ has been fortunate to hear directly from Prof. Chovanec in a series of dinners co-hosted together with the Stanford Alumni Association of Beijing.

Beijing Alumni Gather to Send Off the Class of 2015

Alexander Galimberti — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 07:12:54 +0000

Beijing-based alumni as well as family and friends gathered this weekend for a BBQ to welcome Zhaonan Qu ’15 and Eric Wang ’15 to the Princeton family. Tibor Boranski ’80 was so kind as to host us at his wonderful house out in Shunyi, a welcome refuge from the smog and concrete of downtown Beijing. Many thanks go to Tibor and to everyone who came to support this great event!

Alumni, friends and family gathered to send off the class of 2015

Asia Society: Remaking the Chinese City in Beijing – Public and Private Realms in the City

Alexander Galimberti — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 06:08:47 +0000

The Asia Society Presents:

Remaking the Chinese City in Beijing

Public and Private Realms in the City – Crafting Streets, Blocks and Districts in China’s Cities

Tuesday, April 12th 2011
3pm-5pm
Reception Hall, Main Building, Tsinghua University, Beijing
Free Admission (registration required)

April 17th: Columbia Community Outreach Day

Alexander Galimberti — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:29:19 +0000

Columbia Community Outreach Day

Co-sponsored by Agenda Magazine

Sunday, April 17, 11am – 2pm at Kro’s Nest

http://www.library-project.org/columbia_outreach.html

PDF of the event can be found here

ABOUT THE EVENT

READING IS FUNDAMENTAL! Most of us may know this saying. Reading is important around the world. It is a skill that will prepare young students for a better life. The ability to read provides a sense of self-worth, a tool to ensure the ability to learn or to work, the ability to entertain one-self as well as others. Most importantly reading affords each one of us the ability to share views and thoughts with citizens across the globe.

Please join us for a special family fund-raising brunch at the new Kro’s Nest with great pizza, beverages, raffle prize draws with The Library Project, our featured charity for 2011.

OUR GOAL: Each Library costs roughly 10,000 CNY. Our goal on April 17th is to raise enough funds to donate one library in the Hebei Province. A portion of the proceeds will also benefit the Japanese Red Cross to support relief efforts in Japan caused by the earthquake and tsunami.

ABOUT THE LIBRARY PROJECT

The Library Project donates books and libraries to underfinanced schools and orphanages in China. By the end of 2011, the goal is to have donated over 500 libraries to countryside elementary schools. Plans are to have donated 750 libraries by the end of 2012. Your support is greatly appreciated!

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

Date and Time: Sunday, April 17, 2011, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Location: Kro’s Nest, 35 Xiaoyun Road (Opposite Renaissance Beijing Chaoyang Hotel)

鸟巢, 朝阳区霄云路 35号（国航大厦万丽酒店对面，口福居旁）

Kro’s Nest Tel: (010) 8391-3131

RSVP by April 11, 2011 to: dhp9@columbia.edu

(Please include name, mobile number, email and number of tickets desired)

Purchase and pick up tickets by April 13 to confirm attendance (cash only).

Adults: RMB 200.00; Children (under 10): RMB 100.00

HOW DO WE RAISE THE MONEY?

The charity brunch event raises money via 3 channels of fundraising: Entrance fee: Just by joining us for brunch, you become a sponsor, with 50% of your entrance ticket donated directly to The Library Project and the Japanese Red Cross. Raffle: We will have great raflle prizes throughout the event. 100% of the raffle proceeds go directly to the charities. Donate a book: Donate a Chinese language children’s book to The Library Project. Other languages are also welcome!

TICKET SALES LOCATIONS

Chaoyang District, Lufthansa Kempinski Center - International Center for Veterinary Services (www.ICVSASIA.com) - 8456-1940/41;

CBD/Da Wang Lu – Sophia 6583-2581

CBD/Ritan Park/The Place – David 13401128662 (Pls sms will call back)

San Yuan Qiao – Anthony 13810449670 (Pls call in evenings)

Haidian District, Wu Dao Kou - Anthony 13810449670 or Charles 13910092631

Sanlitun - House of Maid 5136-5137, Rear entrance to 3.3 Fashion Mall (三里屯丽人之家 5136 5137, 3.3大厦1楼后门)

Ticket sales addresses & additional information:

www.ICVSASIA.com

http://www.library-project.org/columbia_outreach.html

Look forward to seeing everyone on April 17th!

Executive Committee of Columbia Alumni Association in Beijing