On the morning of May 14, the 2026 Sino-Thai Master of Nursing Graduation Ceremony and Degree Conferral Ceremony was grandly held in the lecture hall on the second floor of the Biomedical Research Building, Wenzhou Medical University.Distinguished guests from Thailand’s Eastern University attended the ceremony in person, including Chairman of the University Council Sumon Sakolchai, President Watcharin Gasaluck, Chairman of the University Promotion Committee Adisak Keiatkriwansiri, Vice President for Academic Affairs Somtawin Jaritkhuan, Senior Advisor of the School of Nursing Supawatanakorn Wongthanavasu, and Dean of the School of Nursing Pornchai Jullamate. Present at the event were also Li Xiaokun, Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and President of Wenzhou Medical University, heads of relevant university functional departments, all members of the leadership team of the School of Nursing, directors of nursing departments of affiliated hospitals, faculty representatives from both sides of the Sino-Thai program, and all 46 graduates. The ceremony was presided over by Dong Chaoqun, Vice Dean of the School of Nursing.

The ceremony officially kicked off at 9 a.m. with the solemn national anthems of China and Thailand. Vice Dean Dong Chaoqun introduced the Chinese and foreign guests one by one, creating a solemn yet warm atmosphere.

President Li Xiaokun first extended warm congratulations to all graduates. He reviewed the leapfrog development of the university in recent years in disciplinary development, scientific and technological innovation and international cooperation, and elaborated on the fundamental role and humanistic value of nursing disciplines in the modern healthcare system. He specially mentioned that many outstanding nursing professionals have joined his long-standing growth factor research team, whose clinical insights and meticulous work have provided indispensable support for translating research achievements into clinical practice. Drawing on the spirit of Florence Nightingale, he encouraged graduates to fully understand the noble mission of the nursing profession, protect lives with benevolence, serve the society with professional expertise, and write brilliant chapters for themselves in their future nursing careers.

Sumon Sakolchai, Chairman of the Council of Eastern University, delivered a congratulatory speech. On behalf of the University Council, he offered sincere congratulations to all graduates on their successful completion of studies, and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the leadership and faculty of Wenzhou Medical University for their years of sincere cooperation. He noted that the Sino-Thai Master of Nursing Program embodies the friendship and mutual trust between the two universities. It has cultivated batches of high-level nursing talents with an international vision and become a model of Sino-Thai educational cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative. He spoke highly of the remarkable achievements of Wenzhou Medical University in medical education and scientific research, and looked forward to expanding cooperation between the two universities in more disciplines. In closing, he urged graduates to apply what they have learned to serve the society and act as envoys for exchanges in nursing between China and Thailand.

Watcharin Gasaluck, President of Eastern University, then took the floor. He looked back affectionately on the growth and progress of the graduates over their two years of study, and paid sincere tribute to the dedicated faculty from both institutions. He stressed that nursing is a career requiring lifelong learning and continuous dedication, hoping that graduates will always stay passionate about their profession and hold reverence for life. He stated that Eastern University is proud to cooperate with a high-caliber partner like Wenzhou Medical University in talent cultivation. He is convinced that bilateral cooperation will be further deepened to build more platforms for nursing students to step onto the international stage.

Professor Chintana Wacharasin, Person-in-Charge of the Sino-Thai Master of Nursing Program, presented a program report. She expressed sincere thanks to the leaders of both universities for their strong support, and gave a systematic overview of the program’s operation, talent training system, teaching progress and accomplishments. She pointed out that the graduates delivered outstanding performance in coursework, clinical practice and scientific research, fully meeting the training objectives. She also summarized the highlights of cooperation in faculty development, academic exchanges and joint talent training, and voiced earnest expectations for the future development of the program.

During the degree conferral session, professors from Eastern University and Wenzhou Medical University helped each graduate adjust their academic hoods. Dressed in master’s gowns, the graduates stepped onto the stage one after another. Chairman Sumon Sakolchai presented degree certificates, while President Watcharin Gasaluck awarded academic achievement certificates. Pornchai Jullamate, Dean of the School of Nursing of Eastern University, and Cai Fuman, Dean of the School of Nursing of Wenzhou Medical University, presented commemorative gifts to the graduates respectively. Witnessed by leaders and supervisors from both sides, every graduate completed this solemn and memorable ritual.

Wu Yinan and Zhou Jiaxiang delivered speeches on behalf of graduates. They recalled their school days with deep affection and thanked the faculty from both universities for their professional guidance, as well as the program for providing an international learning platform. "We have gained tremendous insights and growth thanks to the careful guidance of teachers from both universities and the international platform offered by the Sino-Thai Master of Nursing Program," they said. They pledged to take up their posts with professional knowledge, fulfill their duties earnestly, and contribute their youth and strength to the development of the nursing industry.

A nursing-themed song was performed at the ceremony. All leaders, teachers and students took a group photo together. Amid a warm and joyful atmosphere, the 2026 Sino-Thai Master of Nursing Graduation Ceremony came to a successful conclusion.

This marks the second overseas graduation ceremony of the master’s program hosted by Wenzhou Medical University. Eastern University attached great importance to the event, with the Council Chairman, President, Dean of the School of Nursing, Program Person-in-Charge and all program tutors present, which fully demonstrates the high attention paid by both universities to the joint training program and their deep care for the graduates. Before and after the ceremony, President Li Xiaokun held cordial exchanges with the delegation from Eastern University. The two sides exchanged views on further deepening cooperation and improving the quality of the program, aiming to advance in-depth collaboration in faculty development, academic exchanges and joint talent cultivation.

Thanks to the joint efforts and careful cultivation of both parties, the Sino-Thai Master of Nursing Program has yielded fruitful results and growing social influence, with annual increases in applications. It has become a highlight of international cooperation between the two universities. The enrollment scale has expanded steadily, rising from 30 to 45 students in 2026, reflecting strong development momentum. Since the graduation of the 2019 cohort, the program has maintained a high graduation rate, with over 98% of students awarded degrees within the standard schooling period. Current students are also making steady progress in research. Through systematic international training, students have achieved remarkable improvements in clinical practice, research capabilities and management vision, and made solid progress in their professional careers after graduation. Both universities stated that they will continue to optimize the joint training model, normalize academic and faculty exchanges, and make unremitting efforts to cultivate high-level nursing talents with professional competence and an international perspective.