On the morning of June 10, 2025 Master's Graduation Ceremony of Nanjing University's Nanjing-Helsinki Institute in Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences (Nanjing-Helsinki Institute) was held in the Zijin Hall of the International Conference Center on Xianlin Campus. Attending the ceremony were Sari Lindblom, President of the University of Helsinki; Tan Zhemin, President of Nanjing University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Olli Suominen, Education and Science Counsellor at the Finland Embassy in Beijing; and Fu Congbin, Academician of the CAS, Foreign Member of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, and Professor from School of Atmospheric Sciences of Nanjing University.
Tan Zhemin extended warm congratulations to the graduates of NHI on the successful completion of their studies. He noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Finland. Over the years, Nanjing University and the University of Helsinki have maintained close exchanges and forged a profound friendship, building a solid bridge for academic exchange between China and Finland. Tan Zhemin stated that as NJU's first Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution, the establishment of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute not only witnessed the deepening cooperation between the two universities but also became a shining symbol of higher education collaboration between China and Finland. It illuminates a new journey of educational exchange between the two countries and opens the door to the global academic frontiers for the students. Tan Zhemin put forward three expectations for all graduates: first, sustain an exploratory spirit, second, dedicate to social progress, and third, courageously shoulder global responsibilities. He encouraged the graduates to carry forward the wisdom of the East and the innovative of the Nordic as they embark on their journeys. May they face challenges with courage, pursuing dreams with determination, and allow their youth to flourish in the advancement of human progress.
Lindblom extended heartfelt congratulations to the first graduates and expressed deep gratitude to the faculty and staff of Nanjing University and the University of Helsinki. She stated that as the first graduates of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute, the students have demonstrated foresight and partnership spirit, carrying extraordinary historical significance. The successful graduation of the first cohort is not only a highlight of individual academic careers but also the first fruitful outcome of cooperative education between the two universities. The world today urgently needs the younger generation to address and solve issues such as the climate crisis and resource shortages with unique insights. She encouraged all the graduates to apply their knowledge, uphold innovation and bravely tackle global issues with NHI's unique insights and solutions.
Olli Suominen reviewed the deep friendship and cooperation achievements between China and Finland in education, culture, and other fields. He highly praised the cooperative model between Nanjing University and Finnish universities, stating that Nanjing-Helsinki Institute is one of the important achievements of educational cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized education's pivotal role in fostering mutual understanding and sustainable development between the two countries, and hoped that all graduates of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute could use their knowledge to further build bridges of exchange and friendship between Chinese and Finnish cultures, anticipating the continued expansion of cooperation fields between the two universities and the implementation of more high-quality educational projects to cultivate talents with a global perspective.
During the ceremony, the appointment of Academician Professor Fu Congbin as Honarary Dean of NHI was hold. Tan Zhemin presented the appointment letter in recognition of Professor Fu's outstanding contributions to NHI's development.
In his speech, Fu Congbin recalled his personal experiences in promoting educational cooperation between China and Finland over the years and highly praised the achievements of Nanjing University and the University of Helsinki in jointly establishing Nanjing-Helsinki Institute. He expressed that the Institute has cultivated talents with solid theoretical knowledge, innovative abilities, and international perspectives, and hoped that graduates will remember their mission and actively devote themselves to the cause of promoting sustainable development between China and Finland.
Markku Kulmala, Director of the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) at the University of Helsinki, Academician of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, and Foreign Academician of the CAS, delivered a graduation message via video. He shared the latest achievements of cooperation between the two universities, fully affirming the important role of NHI students in addressing global challenges and encouraging everyone to continue moving forward in search of answers needed for human development.
Sari Lindblom, on behalf of the University of Helsinki, presented graduation cards to the NHI Class of 2025.
Lu Yanqing, Vice President of NJU awarded certificates to university-level outstanding graduates of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute.
Suo Wenbin, Vice President of NJU, awarded certificates to the 2025 alumni liaisons of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute.
Ding Aijun, Assistant President of NJU and Dean of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute chaired the ceremony.
Wang Yuting and Tom Kokkonen, representing Chinese and Finnish faculties, addressed the ceremony, encouraging graduates to always maintain respect for knowledge and curiosity about the world, and uphold lifelong learning to navigate evolving environment.
Graduate representatives Dai Yufan and Zhu Haohan shared their experiences at NHI.
In the second half of the ceremony, students presented dynamic performances, showcasing the graduates' youthful vitality. The Nanjing-Helsinki Institute Faculty Choir sang "Tomorrow Will Be Better," wishing all graduates brighter future. The event concluded with the entire graduating class singing NJU Anthem, marking the close of the NHI's 2025 Master's graduation ceremony.
Also in attendance were Kai Nordlund, Vice President of the University of Helsinki; Tuukka Petäjä, International Eurasian Academy of Sciences Academician and Finnish Director of the International Joint Laboratory for Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences (Ministry of Education); Berndt Köhring, Vice President of Vaisala Industrial Measurements Asia-Pacific; leadership representatives from relevant NJU’s departments and schools; faculty and students from the School of Atmospheric Sciences and NHI; and theallgraduates and their families.
