“Destiny Links Us to Lingang; New Finance New World”. On the morning of September 15, 2025, Dishui Lake Advanced Finance Institute, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics (“SUFE-DAFI” or the “Institute”) Matriculation Ceremony 2025 (the “Ceremony”) was grandly held in Lingang. Accompanied by the solemn and resounding notes of the National Anthem, new students of the Master of Finance, Financial MBA, and Doctor of Finance programs officially embarked on their new academic journey by the shores of Dishui Lake.
Leaders and guests attending the Ceremony included: LIU Yuanchun, President of SUFE, ZHAO Yihuai, Member of the Party Working Committee and Full-time Deputy Director of the Lingang New Area Administrative Committee, LIU Liya, Vice President of SUFE, Secretary of the Party General Branch of SUFE-DAFI, XIE Weiqing, Finance Director of Lingang Group; representatives from SUFE-DAFI’s strategic partners: TU Hong, Chief Business Officer of Bank of Communications, XU Bin, Chief Expert of Bank of Communications, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Bank of Communications Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., ZHANG Xiaoqi, Deputy President of Shanghai Branch of Industrial and Commercial Bank of China, XI Jiayin, Deputy President of Shanghai Branch of Agricultural Bank of China, LI Haichao, Vice President of Bailian Group, Chairman the Board of Directors of Shanghai Securities, YANG Qihua, Member of the Party Committee of Changjiang Pension Insurance, DU Ping, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Youshan Fund, YANG Yucheng, Representative of Adjunct Professors, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shanghai Yiyuan Investment, Deputy Director of Shanghai Financial Education Guidance Committee. In addition, the Ceremony was also attended by representatives from: relevant departments of the Lingang New Area Administrative Committee, Nanhui New Town, Lujiazui Administration Bureau, Shanghai Branch of Bank of China, Shanghai Branch of China Zheshang Bank, Shanghai Lingang New Area Economic Development Co., Ltd., Shanghai Lingang Technology Innovation City Economic Development Co., Ltd., Shanghai Lingang Enterprise Service Development Co., Ltd., and sister universities in Lingang; representatives of newly appointed industry mentors from entities including NIO, Yunnan International Trust, and Guojin Securities; representatives of dual-appointed professors of SUFE-DAFI; as well as YAO Yang, Dean of SUFE-DAFI, CHEN Xuanjuan, Executive Dean of SUFE-DAFI, QIU Jiaping, Vice Dean of SUFE-DAFI, and all faculty and students.
The Ceremony kicked off warmly with a new student performance titled Weaving Dreams · Setting Sail, starting a vivid display of youthful vitality and aspirational spirit that ushered in the new academic year. Subsequently, as the solemn National Anthem echoed through the venue, sung in unison by all faculty and students, the Ceremony officially commenced.
In his address, President LIU Yuanchun stated that SUFE-DAFI was far more than a newly established institute, it stood as a critical frontline in the advancement of national strategies. To date, the Institute had entered its “Phase 2.0”, a pivotal turning point in its development and a defining moment for new students to align their aspirations with the Institute’s mission. He offered three pieces of guidance to the students: 1. Amidst major global and national trends, clarifying “why you have come”, and integrating your personal goals into the national strategy of building a financial powerhouse; 2. Amidst constant change, forging “what you can contribute”, strengthening your capabilities in cutting-edge fields such as green finance, AI finance, and cross-border finance through interdisciplinary learning and systematic training; 3. Amidst your pursuits, nurturing “how you will go far”, upholding ethical principles while striving for excellence, and growing into emerging financial talents who possess both professional expertise and a strong sense of responsibility.
On behalf of Lingang New Area, Full-time Deputy Director ZHAO Yihuai emphasized that SUFE-DAFI, with its focus on emerging fields like cross-border finance and AI finance, had already made significant contributions to Lingang New Area’s development by leveraging its policy and industrial advantages. He urged the new students to immerse themselves in this young, innovation-driven land, extending their classrooms beyond campus to Lingang’s industrial parks, institutions, and institutional reforms; to dare to ask questions and seek solutions at the forefront of sci-tech innovation, contributing their youthful wisdom; and more importantly, to embrace the role of “owners”, aligning their personal growth with Lingang’s journey to become a world-class financial hub, and writing their own remarkable stories through practice.
On behalf of Lingang Group, CFO XIE Weiqing extended congratulations to the new students and expressed gratitude to all co-founding parties and the dedicated faculty team. He noted that Lingang Group would continue to fully support SUFE-DAFI’s development, creating an even broader platform for the Institute to thrive. He encouraged the students to root themselves deeply in Lingang, pursue their dreams boldly, seize the opportunities of the times, and inscribe their unique youth chapters along the shores of Dishui Lake.
The Ceremony was hosted by Vice President LIU Liya.
A special ceremony for the appointment of SUFE-DAFI’s Dean was held during the Ceremony. President LIU Yuanchun presented the letter of appointment to Professor YAO Yang, officially naming him Dean of SUFE-DAFI. On the Ceremony, President LIU highlighted that this appointment was jointly decided by the tripartite joint meeting comprising the Lingang New Area Administrative Committee, SUFE, and Lingang Group, representing a landmark moment that marked the Institute’s official entry into “Phase 2.0”. The presentation of the appointment letter symbolized a phased “handover” of the Institute’s development leadership, and President LIU expressed his expectation that Dean YAO Yang would lead SUFE-DAFI to set sail on a new voyage and achieve continuous breakthroughs in this new phase.
After accepting the appointment, Dean YAO Yang delivered a report on the Institute’s development plan. He also stated that SUFE-DAFI had completed the initial construction of its “Version 1.0” and is now stepping into “Phase 2.0”. Looking ahead, the Institute would focus on three key areas: optimizing cutting-edge academic programs, strengthening its “academically ambitious and practically grounded” research orientation, and building a financial think tank dedicated to serving Lingang. Additionally, it would deepen connections with real-world practice through a faculty secondment mechanism, promote in-depth integration of talent cultivation and regional development, and strive to achieve comprehensive advancement within 3–5 years.
During the Ceremony, Professor SHAN Chenyu, representative of the faculty, spoke first. She expressed her hope to grow and progress alongside the students through mutual learning in future teaching, and encouraged the new cohort to root themselves in SUFE-DAFI, grow by Dishui Lake, and empower the era while contributing to China with the power of finance.
Subsequently, YANG Yucheng, representative of adjunct professors and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Shanghai Yiyuan Private Equity, addressed the gathering. He shared his honor in witnessing SUFE-DAFI’s rapid growth since its establishment, and his delight that the 2025 cohort would be the first to embrace the Institute’s “Phase 2.0”. He urged the students to cherish their time studying in Lingang, leverage the combined strengths of SUFE and Lingang, and craft an extraordinary chapter in their lives.
Next, student representatives took the stage in sequence: ZHANG Xiaoxia (Master of Finance), WEN Xianming (Master of Business Administration), and NING Jiaqu (Doctor of Finance). Each spoke of their aspirations and confidence for the journey of learning and growth ahead.
The Ceremony then transitioned to its symbolic ritual segments. Executive Dean CHEN Xuanjuan and Vice Dean QIU Jiaping pinned SUFE-DAFI badges on representative new students - a meaningful gesture symbolizing the 2025 cohort’s official integration into the SUFE family.
In the industry mentor appointment segment, 17 industry mentors, including executives and experts from leading domestic financial institutions, enterprises, and industrial clusters, were officially appointed, with Dean YAO Yang presenting their appointment letters. It was believed that these adjunct professors and industry mentors would help students master cutting-edge industry practices and skills in the future, providing strong support for the Institute’s cultivation of practice-oriented talents.
Full-time Deputy Director ZHAO Yihuai presented the Elite Scholarship to outstanding students, encouraging them to study diligently and pursue their dreams courageously. The “Jing” (Elite) Series Scholarships are designed to select and nurture top talents who possess patriotic feelings and excel in being professional and international in emerging financial fields.
After the rituals, all guests and new students gathered for a group photo, preserving a solemn yet warm memory of this milestone occasion.
The final segment of the Ceremony was the DAFI Open Class, hosted by Executive Dean CHEN Xuanjuan.
Dean YAO Yang delivered the first keynote open class of the “Phase 2.0” era, titled Grasp the Pulse of the Times, Achieve Greatness Through Accumulation. Starting with the evolution of the global economic landscape, he conducted an in-depth analysis of the logic behind technological waves and the reshaping of financial structures, emphasizing: “The fundamental purpose of finance remains serving the real economy; true innovation is never superficial, it arises from long-term accumulation and in-depth understanding instead”. He encouraged the students to accurately recognize changes and proactively adapt in transformative fields such as AI finance, green finance, and cross-border finance, while also solidifying their academic foundations and fostering systematic thinking. He urged them to possess a global perspective while staying grounded in practice, and to grow into a backbone force leading the development of new finance in the years to come.
With the successful conclusion of the Ceremony, SUFE-DAFI stands at a new starting point once again. The new academic year carries new hopes and will embark on a new journey. The Institute will continue to uphold its core orientation of “rooting in Lingang, serving the whole country, and embracing the globe”, gather high-quality resources, deepen educational innovation, and strive to cultivate financial elites who possess both a strong sense of national identity and an international vision. It will contribute tirelessly to serving national strategies, supporting Lingang’s development, and advancing the construction of Shanghai as an international financial center.
May the 2025 cohort set sail with oars in hand by Dishui Lake, and write their own brilliant youth chapters amid the financial waves of the new era.
