2013 Class of CDC Students Graduated

The Commencement Ceremony for the 2013 cohort of the Master’s program in Contemporary Development of China was held on June 12, 2015, at the conference room 2030, New Main Building, Beijing Normal University.

Cheering words, laughters, and applauses from both students and faculty members lasted throughout the one and a half hour ceremony.

Professor Zhou Zuoyu, the Vice President of Beijing Normal University, delivered a keynote speech to celebrate the cohort’s graduation. Professor Karl Johnson and one of graduating students, Gina Holly, delivered speech respectively as a representative of the faculty members and a representative of students. The Commencement Ceremony of the Master’s program in Contemporary Development of China this year was much more meaningful as it prepared a session to say farewell to our very own Professor Karl Johnson, who has been greatly dedicated to the SSDPP over the past few years and goes back to the United States. Almost everyone in the audience made short remarks and a memorable video presentation, which was specially edited by Sidik Aulia Rahman from Indonesia, and Giulia Cuini from Italy, took everyone back to the moments that we have shared together over the two years. Lastly, time for awarding diplomas and prizes was followed. After all the members of the 2013 cohort were awarded Diplomas, the Best Thesis Prize and two Nominated Thesis Prizes were awarded respectively to Valentina Pignotti from Italy, Meri Perna from Italy and Nick Char from the United States.

The event was hosted by two students of the 2013 cohost, Ms. Seul-ji Park (Angela) from South Korea and Mr. Sailesh Karmacharya from Nepal.

The Master’s in Contemporary Development of China was founded in 2011 by BNU School of Social Development and Public Policy. It has now recruited 4 cohorts of students. The 5th intake will be joining the CDC family soon this September.

(Report by Angela Park; Picture by Uni)