CWU Holds Commencement Ceremony for Graduates of International MSW Program

A group photo of participants at the commencement ceremony [China Women's University]

On July 11, China Women's University (CWU) held a ceremony honoring 21 foreign graduates from the International Program of Master of Social Work (MSW) in "Women's Leadership and Social Development."

The graduation ceremony was presided by Li Ying, president of the CWU School of International Education.

The event drew the attendance of Lu Yamin, deputy director-general of the International Liaison Department of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF); Wang Yajie, deputy director-general of the Planning and Tendering Department in the Academy for International Business Officials affiliated to the Ministry of Commerce; Su Jinzhu, deputy director-general of the International Cooperation and Exchange Department in Beijing Municipal Education Commission; Liu Meng, vice-president of the CWU; the ambassador to China from Mauritius and minister-counselors from Jamaica and Zimbabwe; and 21 foreign graduates and their relatives.

During the ceremony, foreign graduates watched a video clip which beautifully recaptured scenes of their two years on campus at CWU.

A graduate from Malawi extended deep gratitude on behalf of her classmates to the Chinese government for its scholarship in the assistance of their academic studies in the country.

She said that the international program would further promote the understanding and friendship between Chinese people and their counterparts from other nations, and accelerate China's exchanges and cooperation with the international community in all aspects. Moreover, she called on other graduates to make full use of their academic studies for the betterment of their families, communities, countries and the whole world.

In her speech, Liu Meng, vice-president of the CWU, reviewed the history and achievements made by the Ministry of Commerce in the sponsorship of such an international education program for students from other developing countries over the past years, and sent congratulations on behalf of her colleagues to foreign students for their graduation.

She hoped that they would strive for higher achievements in their work with an international mindset and open-mindedness when they return home and deepen the exchanges and cooperation between China and the international community.

Su, from Beijing Municipal Education Commission, said in his address that China has always attached great importance to the academic studies of foreign students in the country. He emphasized the significance of the International Program of Master's in Social Work at the CWU since it is the only academic orientation designed to provide female officials from developing countries with a degree in social work and educate them on gender equality and women's empowerment.

Su continued that they should make an integration of their learning in China into the development of their own countries and the realization of gender equality, promote exchanges and cooperation between China and other nations in culture and education, deepen the friendship between the Chinese people and their foreign counterparts, and work hard to advance the healthy development of China's relationship with other countries.

Representing the Ministry of Commerce at the event, Wang Yajie congratulated foreign students on their graduation and conveyed thanks to the CWU for its efforts in the completion of the international education program. She called on foreign graduates to be ambassadors in the promotion of Chinese culture and friendly exchanges between China and the rest of the world and to contribute their own efforts to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity which features mutual trust in politics, economic integration and cultural inclusiveness under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Lu from the ACWF gave high recognition to the CWU for its role in the international education program, noted that the university has shared Chinese experiences and opportunities in the promotion of its growth with foreign students during their stay on the campus, and hoped that the graduates will promote exchanges and communication between Chinese women and women in their own countries.

(Source: China Women's University/Translated and edited by Women of China)