Overcoming various challenges during the pandemic, our university's Master's Degree Program in Southeast Asian Regional Management held its 4th graduation ceremony for the academic year 2021-2022 on June 11, 2022, bidding farewell to 10 graduates. Given the current pandemic situation, each attendee's presence at the physical ceremony was precious, as attendees defied all odds to attend. Due to the pandemic regulations, friends and family couldn't be present in person. Therefore, the program offered an online viewing option, allowing graduates' friends and family to virtually attend the ceremony and convey heartfelt blessings in real-time. Though the event was small in scale, for the graduates of this year, the exclusive mini-graduation ceremony for the Master's Degree Program in Southeast Asian Regional Management will undoubtedly be a heartwarming and unforgettable memory.

The Master's Degree Program in Southeast Asian Regional Management is the first MBA program in the nation to enroll international students and provide instruction solely in Chinese. It started admitting students in the 106th academic year and has entered its 6th year. In the academic year 2021-2022, a total of 10 graduates maintained the program's excellent tradition from the preceding 3 years. All the graduates of this cohort have already completed their oral defenses or are about to undergo thesis defenses, with all expected to receive their degrees by the end of July. Additionally, as of the day of the graduation ceremony, 2 graduates have secured job offers, demonstrating their remarkable excellence.

President's Encouragement to Graduates: The End of One Phase Marks the Beginning of Another

Due to the pandemic, President Chen Qinghe delivered his speech and blessings to the graduates through an online platform. Despite not being able to be present physically, the president's affection for the graduates was still evident. President Chen encouraged the graduates, reminding them that graduation doesn't just signify the end of their student learning journey; it also marks the beginning of a new and important phase distinct from their student life. He stated, "Different phases of life come with different challenges. Progress is about being better prepared for the next phase." Whether facing the pressure of cultural adaptation or the challenges posed by the pandemic, the graduates worked diligently to overcome them all. They not only completed internships at various corporations but also wrote their entire theses in Chinese. In the face of the ever-changing global situation, President Chen firmly believes that these graduates are the talents needed by Taiwanese businesses.

Finding a New Home After Leaving Their Homeland

Representing the graduates, Li Lijin, a student from Myanmar, shared that she initially thought relationships among graduate students would be distant, but upon entering this academic family, she discovered that those who came to study in Taiwan from afar were each other's support system. More importantly, the program's director, instructors, and teaching assistants played roles similar to family, always caring for them. Although they left their home countries where they grew up, they found a new sense of belonging in Taiwan due to the companionship of their mentors and fellow students. With the blessings of everyone and the knowledge and culture cultivated during their time in the program, they are stepping into a bright future to create their own life stories.