Opinion| Three reasons why leading companies woo Peking University students
Oct 16, 2019
Peking University, October 16, 2019: Top brands and companies have continually made Peking University their home to recruit young talents. This is due to the competing trend in the global market, which requires companies to frequently strengthen their innovation game. To this end, students of Peking University have been the major pick of these firms, which reveals the high quality of academic standard of the institution.
Jardine Matheson Holdings Limited is among leading international firms that have visited Yenching Academy of Peking University this fall. In search of young minds, these firms trust Peking University as one of China’s leading universities that can provide the needed talents and human resources for their businesses.
On October 10, team members of Jardine Group held an information session about the organization’s graduate trainee program-Jardine Executive Trainee Scheme (JETS)-for scholars of Yenching Academy at Peking University. The Group comprises a broad portfolio of market-leading businesses, which represents a combination of cash generating activities and long-term property assets that are closely aligned to the increasingly prosperous consumers of the region. The information session, which was tagged #RareTalentWanted, had Yenching Academy scholars in attendance who are all from different continents across the world.
At the career talk
In her speech, Rosemary Zhou, Jardine team lead and program manager, stressed that they came to Yenching Academy because of the quality and the diverse backgrounds of the scholars. She stated that their goal is to employ rare talents across the world that can bring in creative and innovative ideas.
“We are here at Yenching Academy because of the uniqueness of the program as well as the academic quality of this institution,” Zhou said. “Beyond that, we want rare talents from diverse backgrounds, who love the Asian continent, who are willing to live and work in Asia, ready to learn and can bring in innovative ideas. And we believe we can find all these qualities here”.
In the same vein, ByteDance visited Peking University a few weeks ago, seeking scholars to apply for the opening positions in company. The team that visited PKU stressed how they firmly believe students of this institution will meet the criteria of the qualities they want.
One might be curious about why leading companies made Peking University their first stop in China. Here are three top reasons why students of Peking University remain their first pick.
Academic excellence
Peking University, also known as Beida, is renowned for its academic excellence domestically and internationally. With over 121 years of existence, PKU has brought up top leaders in China with cutting-edge innovative ideas through intensive research in science and technology. Moreover, PKU’s partnership with other leading universities across the world has enriched the quality of the students of the institutions.
During his visit to the University in May 2018, Chinese President Xi Jinping recognized PKU’s academic excellence, noting that PKU has a long history of contributing to China’s human resource development. Xi spoke highly of the achievements that Peking University has made in scientific research and innovation, and added that China must rely on itself to develop key technologies and boost innovation.
Thus, it is fair to say that the academic excellence and the high-quality education that Peking University offers is among the reasons why PKU students are highly sought-after.
Strong connection with China
Beyond academic excellence, Peking University has a strong connection with the development of China. Founded in 1898, Peking University has cultivated numerous China’s high-ranking statesmen. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is one of those who graduated from Peking University.
Interestingly, PKU’s great contribution to strengthening China’s political system as well as economic growth through human resource development is another indication of its strong connection with China. Scientific and social research from the institution has equally made huge impact on the development of China. Thus, some of the brilliant minds in China can be found at Peking University.
To this end, leading firms that wish to penetrate to the Chinese market want to pick their think tanks and personnel from Peking University as it offers best brains in China as well as great opportunities to align with China itself.
Multi-cultural community
Another rare feature of Peking University that appeals to top firms is the institution’s deeply-rooted multi-cultural community. Peking University is one of the leading universities in China that accommodate huge number of international students. Scholars of Yenching Academy at Peking University are from over 40 countries of the world and over four continents. This shows the multi-cultural nature of this institution and reflects on the quality of education. The diversity of the scholars at Yenching Academy and other schools at Peking University has enriched the educational quality of the institution.
Interestingly, multinational firms in search of young rare talents with diverse cultural backgrounds look up to Peking University. These firms believed that PKU is the tested and trusted institution in China to provide them with top-notch students with diverse cultural backgrounds.
The author is a scholar of Yenching Academy at Peking University.
Written by: Lukmon Akintola
Edited by: Huang Weijian
