During the National Day holiday, a total of 80 participants from Cohort 18 and Cohort 19 of the Fudan-Washington University EMBA Program traveled to the United States to attend the joint commencement ceremony hosted at Washington University in St. Louis on October 3, marking a perfect conclusion to their program journey. This is the first grand commencement ceremony held on the WUSTL campus since the pandemic.
GRADUATION
Amid the impacts and restrictions of the four-year pandemic, participants of Cohort 18 and Cohort 19 maintained inner resolve and conviction amid pervasive uncertainty, overcame numerous challenges brought by the circumstances, and successfully completed the program.
At the commencement ceremony, Mike Mazzeo, Dean of Olin Business School at Washington University in St. Louis, delivered an address. He congratulated participants on persisting to complete the program amid turbulent times and expressed sincere pride and joy over their accomplishments.
“Your hard work, resilience and dedication make this celebration even more special. It signifies a momentous accomplishment through the most challenging of times.”
— Professor Mike Mazzeo Dean
Olin Business School, Washington University in St. Louis
Professor Yin Zhiwen, Vice Dean of Fudan University School of Management, stated in his address that this commencement ceremony not only embodies the close ties and shared growth between Olin Business School and Fudan University School of Management over the past two decades, but also marks a vital milestone in the participants’ lifelong learning journey.
“As the saying goes, ‘Whoever cannot kill me will make me stronger.’ I am sure the unique learning experience has made you invincible and well-prepared for future challenges.”
Professor Yin Zhiwen Vice Dean
Fudan University School of Management
Subsequently, Professor Markus Baer presented the Emory Award to Chen Ning from Cohort 18 and Chen Meng from Cohort 19, recognizing the two participants for their outstanding leadership and remarkable contributions within their cohorts.
Zhou Jing and Hu Shanshan, representatives of outstanding graduates, delivered graduation remarks respectively. They expressed gratitude to all faculty members of the program for their generous sharing of knowledge, as well as to fellow participants for their mutual encouragement. Standing at the threshold of a new chapter in life, they, like all other graduates, carry the knowledge and accomplishments gained from the program to push their boundaries and pursue excellence.
On the same day, Paul Shao, Program Director of the Fudan-Washington University EMBA Program, also presented the BGS Award* and Class Award to participants, in recognition of those who achieved academic excellence and made significant contributions to their cohorts.
*Beta Gamma Sigma奖由全球商学院的权威审核机构——美国国际高等商学院协会（AACSB）认可，是在美国和世界著名高校的商学院里通行的一个学术奖项，也是全球商学院（MBA）学生所能获得的最高学术荣誉。Beta、Gamma、Sigma三个希腊字母分别代表智慧、诚信及孜孜不倦的态度。
During this trip to the United States, participants also completed their overseas module at the Brookings Institution, a leading think tank. They engaged in in-depth exchanges with Brookings experts to deepen their understanding of global affairs and international relations.
The Brookings Institution program engaged participants in discussions covering a wide range of themes including global trade, political and economic conditions, energy and the environment. It broadened participants’ global perspectives through multi-dimensional lenses. Featured scholars included Major Garrett, Chief Washington Correspondent for CBS News; Jeannette Chu, Vice President for National Security Policy at the National Foreign Trade Council; Jessica Brandt, Fellow for the Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Initiative at Brookings; Patricia Kim, Fellow at Brookings’ Center for East Asia Policy Studies; Jennifer Turner, Director of the China Environment Forum and Manager of the Global Stopping Points Initiative; and Raj M. Desai, Senior Fellow in Global Economy and Development at Brookings.
An end is also a new beginning. For participants of Cohort 18 and Cohort 19, this graduation journey marks the starting point of a new chapter in life. Guided by conviction and resolve, they will continue to scale new heights in their careers and explore the wonders of life.
We sincerely wish all participants of Cohort 18 and Cohort 19 a bright future, smooth journeys ahead, and onward into broader horizons.
