University of Arizona delegates travel to China for dual degree graduation ceremonies
Dual degree graduates from Sias University in Zhengzhou, China.
The University of Arizona International (AZI) celebrated a significant milestone in June with a series of dual degree graduation ceremonies in China. A delegation from Arizona traveled to attend the ceremonies at three prominent Chinese universities, marking the success of collaborative educational programs.
The representatives from AZI, including Charles Wang, Associate Vice President for China & East Asia Affairs and Professor of Practice at James E. Rogers College of Law; Charlotte MacInnis, Assistant Dean for Curricular Affairs & Operations in International Education; and Min Zhou, Assistant Director for China and East Asia Programs, attended the ceremonies at Sias University in Zhengzhou on June 16, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University (NWAFU) in Xi’an on June 17, and Ocean University of China (OUC) in Qingdao on June 19.
Dual degree graduates from Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University in in Xi’an, China.
Brian Luce, Associate Director of the Fred Fox School of Music and Professor of the Flute Performance Program, and Larry Lang, Vice Dean and Professor of the School of Music of Sias University were in attendance for the graduation ceremony in Zhengzhou. Twenty-nine graduates received a Bachelor of Music in Music Performance from Arizona and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Sias.
“I consider myself fortunate to have heard all your audition recordings in June 2020 and watched your progress through your degree with excitement and satisfaction,” said Luce in his commencement address. “Like the Tucson campus class of 2024, you began your studies during the pandemic. You practiced diligently and studied with great determination to triumph over many obstacles during your degree. I’m certain that my esteemed colleagues and friends all applaud your intrepid efforts to become musicians. With your tireless work, you will continue to share your refined talent and skills with appreciative audiences here and abroad.”
Immediately following the Sias graduation, delegates traveled to NWAFU, where they celebrated the first-ever class of graduating dual degree students. Eighty-three students completed their dual degree Bachelor of Science program in Environmental Science. Joan Curry, Environmental Science interim Department Head from the University of Arizona College of Agriculture, Life and Environmental Sciences (CALES), and Marc Miller, Dean & Ralph W. Bilby Professor of Law at the University of Arizona James E. Rogers College of Law also traveled to Xi’an to attend this landmark achievement. [Read more about the first graduating class and the partnership between CALES and NWAFU here.]
Charles Wang, Associate Vice President for China & East Asia Affairs and Professor of Practice at James E. Rogers College of Law, addresses the dual degree graduates at Ocean University of China.
"The graduation of the first four-year cohort marks a significant milestone for the program, demonstrating its viability and success while providing a model for future cohorts," Charles Wang said of the graduating class. "Impressively, over 70 percent of the graduating students have been accepted by world-renowned universities into graduate programs. Graduates of our programs become part of a growing network of environmental leaders, equipped to work in various sectors, including academia, industry, government, and non-profit organizations. This network contributes to continued collaboration and innovation in environmental science."
The culmination of the trip was the OUC graduation ceremony in Qingdao. Dean Miller, alongside U of A faculty members teaching at OUC, attended as 119 graduates were awarded their Bachelor of Arts in Law from Arizona and a Bachelor of Laws from OUC. The U of A and OUC partnership is one of longevity as it enters its 10th year.
In his speech, Dean Miller expressed his pride and admiration for the graduates, who have achieved what few others have – two degrees in two languages from two universities in two countries.
Marc Miller, Dean & Ralph W. Bilby Professor of Law at the University of Arizona College of Law expresses his admiration for the dual degree graduates.
“You step forth from this program with a combination of skills and education that few possess. These professional skills, in addition to the character you demonstrated in choosing and completing this program, have prepared you to succeed in whatever you do next,” said Dean Miller.
The dual degree programs represent a robust partnership between the U of A and Chinese institutions, aimed at fostering educational exchange and enhancing the global impact of their students. These programs are designed to provide students with a comprehensive education that blends the strengths of both universities, preparing them for leadership roles in their respective fields.
The successful graduations at Sias University, NWAFU, and OUC underscore the dedication and hard work of both the students and faculty involved in these programs. As U of A continues to expand its international collaborations, the university remains committed to providing high-quality education and fostering global connections that benefit students and society at large.
The dual degree graduates from dual degree graduates from Ocean University of China located in Qingdao.