At lunchtime on 22 and 26 June, IIAS at Tsinghua University held farewell discussion sessions for the Class of 2026 graduates. The first session, held on 22 June, was attended by students from the 2021 cohort, while the second, on 26 June, brought together students from the 2019 and 2020 cohorts. Professor Jiang Jingkui, Dean of IIAS, met with the graduating students to reflect on their years of study and discuss the journey ahead. He Xuebing, Associate Dean and Party Branch Secretary, together with faculty representatives, also attended the sessions, which were moderated by Shi Jing and Li Yuqing, heads of the Graduate Student Affairs.
The graduates reflected on their experiences, from adapting to academic life at Tsinghua upon enrolment to conducting fieldwork in their countries of study, where they advanced both academically and personally. They also shared their thoughts on the decisions they faced as graduation approached, including choices concerning their careers and future lives. As they prepared to embark on a new chapter, the graduates expressed their gratitude to Tsinghua University and IIAS for their education and support, pledging to carry forward the knowledge, resilience, and growth they had gained at Tsinghua into their future careers. During the discussions, faculty and students also reminisced about memorable moments and stories from their time on campus, creating a warm and heartfelt atmosphere.
Congratulating the Class of 2026 on completing their studies, He Xuebing shared her reflections on professional development in light of the graduates' chosen career paths. She noted that, amid an increasingly complex international environment, scholars engaged in area studies must work with even greater dedication to maximise the impact of their research. At the same time, she observed that the discipline itself remains in a period of continuous development and refinement, presenting significant opportunities for those contributing to the construction of an independent Chinese knowledge system in philosophy and the social sciences. She expressed confidence in the graduates' career choices and academic commitment, encouraged them to continue strengthening their core competencies and believing in their potential, and affirmed that IIAS would continue to support their future development.
After listening to the remarks of faculty members and students, Professor Jiang Jingkui recalled many moments from mentoring the graduating class and remarked that they had truly embodied the mission and objectives of the doctoral programme in Developing Country Studies. He observed that their reflections on the past several years fully reflected the principles and aspirations that underpin Tsinghua's approach to area studies, expressing particular admiration for their determination to conduct extensive fieldwork and pursue innovative research. He further noted that IIAS's achievements have been made possible by the strong leadership and support of the University, as well as the dedication of successive generations of Institute leaders to the development of area studies. Looking ahead, he affirmed that IIAS would continue to build upon more than a decade of experience in talent cultivation and academic research, contributing to the further development of the discipline.
In his closing remarks, Professor Jiang encouraged the graduates to cultivate a strong sense of responsibility to both the nation and the wider world, integrating their personal aspirations with the needs of the times and taking the well-being of the people as a lifelong measure of purpose and achievement. He also urged them to face the inevitable ups and downs of life with resilience and equanimity, believing that extraordinary accomplishments are rooted in steadfast commitment to ordinary efforts. Professor Jiang concluded by describing IIAS as both the harbour from which they now set sail and a permanent home to which they would always be welcome to return. He wished the graduates every success in their future endeavours and looked forward to welcoming them back to the Institute.
Group photo, 22 June
Group photo, 26 June
