College Alum Edward Zhi En Tan Receives Schwarzman Scholarship

Edward Zhi En Tan, C’22, has been named to the eighth class of Schwarzman Scholars and will enroll at Tsinghua University in Beijing in August.

The program’s core curriculum focuses on leadership, China, and global affairs, according to the Schwarzman program. The academic program is updated each year to align with current and future geopolitical priorities. The coursework, cultural immersion, and personal and professional development opportunities are designed to equip students with an understanding of China’s changing role in the world.

Tan graduated summa cum laude from the College with a major in international relations. At Penn, Tan was a Student Fellow at the Perry World House, an associate editor at the Sigma Iota Rho Journal of International Relations, and an editor at the Harvard Kennedy School Singapore Policy Journal.

Prior to Penn, Tan served as a Singapore Armed Forces commando. He was subsequently awarded an overseas public service scholarship by the government of Singapore. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in regional studies—East Asia (China, social science) at Harvard. As a Schwarzman Scholar, he hopes to deepen his understanding of China’s growing presence in international organizations. Upon graduation, Tan will begin his public service career at the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore’s Air Transport Division.

This year, approximately 151 Schwarzman Scholars were selected from a pool of 3,000 applicants from 36 countries and 121 universities. Four other students and alumni from Penn received scholarships.