On June 25, Nankai University-University of Glasgow Joint Graduate School, a Sino-foreign cooperative education institution that was established with the approval of the Ministry of Education of China and the support of the Chinese and British governments, held the 2023 graduation ceremony at the Jinnan Campus of Nankai University. The 126 students jointly cultivated by the two universities received double master’s degrees. The two universities also had in-depth exchanges on the future cooperation model, development plan, etc. of the Joint Graduate School.

In the afternoon, the 2023 graduation ceremony and master’s degree awarding ceremony of the Joint Graduate School took place at the Datong Student Center of Jinnan Campus, Nankai University. Anton Muscatelli, Principal of the University of Glasgow; Chen Yulu, President of Nankai University; Rachel Sandison, Vice Principal of the University of Glasgow, attended the graduation ceremony.

The decision to confer master’s degrees on 126 students was announced: 40 students including Yang Wenqian and Huo Yuhong for master’s degree in economics from Nankai University and master’s degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Glasgow; 35 students including Xu Chunyi and Xu Ke for master’s degree in science from Nankai University and master’s degree in environmental science from the University of Glasgow; 26 students including Li Hanxiao and Yang Junyi for master’s degree in law from Nankai University and master’s degree in international relations from the University of Glasgow; 25 students including Chen Ying and Hu Yidan for master’s degree in literature from Nankai University and master’s degree in translation and professional practice from the University of Glasgow.

The degree awarding ceremony was also held simultaneously in accordance with the Chinese and British practices. Anton Muscatelli touched the top of each graduate’s hat with a hat symbolizing academic authority, announced the name of the degree in Latin and presented the University of Glasgow master’s degree certificate. Subsequently, Chen Yulu awarded Nankai University master’s degree certificates and turned the tassel on each square academic cap.

Anton Muscatelli mentioned the origins of the cooperation between the two universities, congratulated the graduates, and paid tribute to supervisors and staff who have supported the Joint Graduate School in recent years. He encouraged graduates to aim high, apply what they have learned during their graduate studies to tackle the current challenges facing humanity, help build a better and fairer world and remove hurdles to sustainable development.

In his speech, Chen Yulu reviewed the process and fruitful results of bilateral cooperation, and expressed his gratitude to the University of Glasgow and those who care about and support the development of the Joint Graduate School. He hoped that the graduates would uphold Nankai University’s tenet of “knowing and serving China”, align their personal growth with national development, follow the educational spirit of the two universities, shoulder the due heavy responsibilities in the current times, and help solve the common problems facing mankind.

Li Hanxiao, a major in international relations, spoke on behalf of the class of 2023 graduates of Joint Graduate School.

Nankai University-University of Glasgow Joint Graduate School, which was officially opened in 2015, is the first British international graduate training institution named “Joint Graduate School” in China. It currently offers four programs: international relations, regional economics, environmental sciences, and English language and literature. The Confucius Institute at the University of Glasgow, which was established in October 2011, has become an important center for learning Chinese and learning about Chinese culture. In 2018, the two universities recruited the first international students from all over the world. In 2019, the two universities inked an agreement to launch a joint doctoral training program.

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow is one of the four oldest universities in the UK and one of the ten oldest universities in the world. It is a member of the Russell Group, a collective of research-intensive UK universities. The alumni of the University of Glasgow include Adam Smith, the famous father of economics and author of The Wealth of Nations; Lord Kelvin, who was a well-known physicist and proposed the concept of thermodynamic temperature scale for the first time; and James Watt, a world-famous engineer who improved the steam engine.