Pre-graduation ceremony held for international medical students at Jiujiang University

JIUJIANG, June 12 -- A pre-graduation ceremony was held on Friday for the 2021 batch of international medical students at Jiujiang University in Jiangxi Province, marking the completion of their five-year academic study of the clinical medicine program.

The ceremony, held at the university's Jingzhi Building, brought together all international students of the 2021 batch, along with faculty members and teacher representatives.

Students were encouraged to wear white coats—symbolizing their medical training, as the ceremony marked a pre-graduation milestone rather than the formal commencement.

The event featured addresses by staff and teacher representatives, speeches by student representatives, and the presentation of honorary certificates. A group photo session concluded the ceremony.

In a speech delivered at the ceremony, Dean of FIS expressed pride in the graduating students, noting that they had not only mastered medical knowledge and clinical skills but had also grown into compassionate individuals ready to serve humanity.

"They have been good citizens of their home countries, good local residents of Jiujiang, and good students of Jiujiang University," the speech read.

Special appreciation was extended to parents and family members for their unwavering support, to teachers and faculty for their guidance, and to university and affiliated hospital staff for working behind the scenes.

Another teacher Dr. Liang Xiangxin, highlighted the special bond between China and Pakistan, calling the two nations "unbreakable iron brothers" and encouraging graduates to serve as bridges for medical and cultural exchanges.

A Pakistani student representative, Amber Mustafa, spoke on behalf of her classmates, recalling the unique challenges they faced—from starting their university journey through online classes during the COVID-19 pandemic to eventually arriving in China in 2023.

"Our story began at an unusual time," she said. "What started as a group of strangers soon became a family. We sat together in classrooms, prepared for exams together, worried about assignments together, and celebrated every achievement together.

Another student, Sewsen Zakaria Khiyar Siraj from Eritrea, also shared her reflections. She expressed gratitude to teachers for their patience and guidance, and to classmates for their companionship and encouragement. "This journey that once felt endless is slowly coming to an end," she said. "Graduation is not a goodbye, but a brand new beginning. No matter where we go, let's keep our passion, move forward bravely, and become better versions of ourselves."

Several other students also shared their reflections. Hazrat Usman, Abdul Rafay, Hassan Ali Shah, Nudrat Azeem, and Saad Ullah expressed feelings of gratitude, pride, and hope. They thanked their teachers and classmates, recalled cherished memories of studying and growing together, and described the ceremony not as an ending, but as the beginning of a new chapter—carrying knowledge and compassion forward to serve humanity.

The 2021 batch comprises international students, many from Pakistan, who have completed their five-year clinical medicine program—overcoming language barriers, rigorous academic assessments, and the added challenges posed by the pandemic.

As the students now prepare to return to their home countries and Jiujiang University affiliated hospitals for internship or pursue further studies, faculty members reminded them that Jiujiang University will always be their alma mater, welcoming them back whenever their journeys bring them to China.

"Medicine has no borders, and the great love of doctors transcends all races," one teacher said. "May you protect people's health with your professional skills and sail towards a promising future with your original heart."