Fostering Global Talent: Hazem Ben-Gacem Arab Scholars Program Donation Agreement Signing Ceremony at Tsinghua

A landmark moment took place on June 26, 2025, at the Schwarzman College, Tsinghua University, with the signing of an agreement to establish the “Hazem Ben-Gacem Arab Scholars’ Program” at Tsinghua University. The ceremony marked Hazem Ben-Gacem’s generous donation to launch this program for talented students from Arab countries, supporting Tsinghua University’s efforts to encourage global talent and cultural exchange.

The ceremony was attended by H.E. Mohammed Shaikho, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to China; Mr. Ahmed Mustafa Fahmy Hafez, Head of the League of Arab States Beijing Mission, Mr. Hazem Ben-Gacem, Founder and CEO of BlueFive Capital; Prof. Yang Bin, Vice Chancellor of Tsinghua University Council; Yang Fan, Associate Dean of the Graduate School; and Ms. Ren Yilin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Tsinghua University Education Foundation.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mr. Hazem Ben-Gacem said: “For over a thousand years, the Arab region and China have cultivated a significant and multifaceted relationship characterized by robust trade, knowledge exchange, and cultural dialogue. Through this donation, I hope to establish a bridge of friendship between Chinese and Arab youth, allowing more outstanding Arab students to study at Tsinghua University, kickstarting a generation of future Arab leaders who would cultivate these important connections.”

Mr. Hazem Ben-Gacem reflected on his multiple visits to China, describing the country as humble, eager to learn, virtuous, and hardworking. He also expressed his keenness to carry forward the spirit of lifelong learning and tradition of cultural exchange, building a China-Arab youth community with a shared future, that would become a beacon for cross-civilizational communication and cooperation.

Prof. Yang Bin expressed the university's sincere gratitude for Mr. Hazem Ben-Gacem's generous donation. He noted that in recent years, Tsinghua University has been actively enhancing its global influence through strategic initiatives, with a particular focus on deepening engagement and cooperation with countries in the Arab League region, thereby significantly advancing cultural exchange between the two sides. The scholarship motivates recipients to pursue academic excellence and serves as an important milestone in strengthening friendly ties between Tsinghua University and the Arab world. It vividly embodies the shared values of openness, inclusiveness, mutual respect, and the pursuit of common progress across cultures and borders.

About Mr. Hazem Ben-Gacem:

Hazem Ben-Gacem (Chinese Name: 夏本佳), a Tunisian national, is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BlueFive Capital, a newly formed global investment manager based in Abu Dhabi. Hazem is a renowned veteran of the investment industry in the Middle East, with more than 30 years of experience in private equity investment across industries and geographies. He was previously the Co-Chief Executive Officer of Investcorp, the largest non-sovereign asset manager in the Middle East