On June 23, 2026, the Institute for Global Public Policy (IGPP) at Fudan University held its 2026 Graduation Ceremony and Degree Conferment. Faculty members, graduates, families, and guests from around the world gathered to celebrate this milestone and mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Class of 2026.

Together at the Ceremony, Framing Youthful Memories

The celebration began at 9:20 a.m., as graduates arrived in academic regalia and reunited with classmates and faculty. Before the ceremony, graduates and faculty posed for a group photograph, preserving memories of their time together at Fudan and commemorating their academic journey.

A Solemn Opening, Retracing Growth's Path

The ceremony officially commenced at 10:00 a.m. with the national anthem. A graduation video then reflected on students’ experiences at IGPP, capturing memorable moments from classrooms, campus life, and their years studying in Shanghai. The ceremony was hosted by Assistant Professor Wenyan Tu at IGPP.

Faculty and Student Messages: On Responsibility and the Future

During the graduate address session, Giulia Morandin, Yafei Luo, Chanrasmei Nut, and Yayun Tang shared reflections on their academic journeys, expressing gratitude to the university, faculty, classmates, and families while looking ahead to their future careers.

Faculty representatives also offered their congratulations and advice. Associate Professor Ping Jiang encouraged graduates to become bridges across differences and to bring hope and compassion wherever they go. Assistant Professor Zhiyuan Yu urged students to approach public service with empathy, leadership, and an entrepreneurial spirit dedicated to the public good. Associate Professor Yao Wen encouraged graduates to remain open-minded and curious, embrace diverse perspectives, and actively engage with complex public issues.

Special video messages were delivered by Professor Iain Begg and Professor Timothy Hildebrandt from LSE, as well as Jonathan Schwestka, a graduate of the 2023 Global Public Economy (GPE) program. They encouraged graduates to transform the knowledge gained at IGPP into meaningful contributions to public policy and to promote dialogue and cooperation between China, Europe, and the wider international community.

Turning the Tassel, Witnessing a New Chapter in Life

The ceremony’s highlight was the degree conferment and tassel-turning ceremony, during which graduates from the GPE, Global Social Policy (GSP), and Master of Global Public Policy (MGPP) programs were individually recognized. Faculty members conferred degrees, turned each graduate’s tassel, and posed for commemorative photographs to celebrate this important milestone.

Outstanding graduates were also recognized for their achievements. Guoqiang Ren received the 2026 Shanghai Outstanding Graduate Award, while Leyan Liang and Yafei Luo were named Fudan University Outstanding Graduates. Lorenzo Maria Bertolone and Shreya Bajpai received the Best Academic Performance Award for International Students. The Best Thesis Award was presented to Hayam Hashim Abdallah Alsallal, Siyuan Hu, Leyan Liang, Shreya Bajpai, Emma Ines Recoules, Yushu Dai, and Jiayi Zhou.

Connecting Alumni Worldwide, Embracing the Mission of Our Time

Assistant Professor Wenjia Song introduced the development of the IGPP alumni community and encouraged graduates to remain connected and contribute to the institute’s growing global network.

In his closing remarks, Dean Yijia Jing of IGPP emphasized that graduates are not only students of globalization but also future global scholars, global citizens, and global leaders. He encouraged them to embrace responsibility, openness, and inclusiveness as they confront increasingly complex global challenges and to contribute their knowledge and leadership toward building a more equitable, peaceful, and sustainable world.

Setting Sail, Embarking on a Vast Horizon

The ceremony concluded with the Fudan University anthem, as graduates, faculty members, families, and friends exchanged farewells and commemorated the occasion with photographs. While graduation marks the end of one journey, it also represents the beginning of another. The Class of 2026 now embarks on new paths, carrying forward the knowledge, global perspective, and sense of responsibility cultivated during their time at IGPP.