The autumn breeze is coming to China; the sweet fragrance of the osmanthus is almost everywhere, while in Australia, everybody is getting prepared to receive the spring season.

On the morning of September 4th, Nankai and Flinders co-hosted the 2020 Master’s degree opening ceremony for their three respective programs: Master of Arts (International Relations in Economy and Trade), Master of Hospital Management, and Master of Educational Leadership and Management. This year, the freshmen celebrate their opening ceremony in a different format: a live video broadcast opening ceremony.

At the beginning of the ceremony, leaders of both schools and members of the management team greeted the new students. Professor Sebastian Raneskold, Vice President and Pro Vice-Chancellor at Flinders University, congratulated the new students. He also remarked on the importance of this cooperative program for Flinders University. More than 20 years of cooperation with Nankai are among the Flinders’ longest and most critical overseas relations. Due to the epidemic, it will not be possible to have face-to-face communication with the students. However, Raneskold thinks that with the joint efforts of the two institutions, the students will still be able to complete their studies and achieve their learning goals.

On behalf of Nankai University, Professor Luo Yanan, Vice Dean of the Graduate School, also welcomed the 2020 cohort. In his speech, Luo said that the program, the most extensive Sino-foreign cooperative Master’s degree program, not only contributed to Nankai University’s internationalization but also cultivated a large number of talents for the society. Luo encouraged this new cohort of students to be diligent, pioneering, and innovative.

Liu Binglian, Dean of the College of Economic and Social Development, was one of the attendees of the ceremony and delivered a speech. He hopes that students can learn in the process, but always with the goal of contributing to the development of the country and serve society. Program coordinators of both schools sent their greetings to the newcomers.

To follow the requirements of the epidemic prevention work, Nankai has ensured the enrollment of the students and a safe learning environment. Therefore, the entrance examinations and the opening ceremony for this year were conducted online. The staff of the Cooperation Program Office gave up their summer vacation to organize about 700 online entrance exams and the admission work for this year.