On the morning of June 5, the 2026 opening ceremony for five joint master’s programs launched by Nankai University and Flinders University of Australia was grandly held at the Nankai University Gymnasium. The programs cover International Relations in Economy and Trade, Hospital Management, Educational Leadership and Management, Smart City Management, and Technology Finance.

Attendees included Philip Palmer, Program Director for International Relations in Economy and Trade and Technology Finance, and Robert Manwaring, Program Director for Smart City Management from Flinders University. Also present were Chen Lingyi, Executive Vice Dean of the Graduate School; Yuan Mingjian, Director of the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange; Liu Binglian, Dean, and Bai Xuejie, Vice Dean of the College of Economic and Social Development; Xiao Guangwen, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Marxism; Hou Wenchao, Vice Dean of the National Institute of Innovation and Finance. Also in attendance were faculty representatives from both universities, directors of program offices of the College of Economic and Social Development and the National Institute of Innovation and Finance, as well as 950 new students enrolled in the five programs. The ceremony was hosted by Bai Xuejie, Vice Dean of the College of Economic and Social Development.

At the start of the ceremony, Professor Robert Manwaring delivered a speech on behalf of Flinders University to extend a warm welcome to all new students.

Chen Lingyi and Yuan Mingjian respectively welcomed the freshmen on behalf of the Graduate School and the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange of Nankai University.

Tong Tong, a student from the 37th cohort of the International Relations in Economy and Trade program and student representative, spoke on behalf of all new students. Following the ceremony, the new students immediately began their first course in respective classes.