While SUSTech’s annual commencement ceremony was held under the stars on July 5^th, six members of the Class of 2020 were watching online from Cambodia. They were unable to make it back and participate in this special moment due to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic across the world. Dynang SENG, Sinnarith VONG, Sopheaktra KHOAN, Kosal SOUT, Vorleak EAM, and Youpheng CHHAY represent a milestone in SUSTech’s history as the first international students to graduate from SUSTech.

Determined to help ensure the students were included in the celebrations, SUSTech Global prepared a commencement video message for the students. Vice Provost (Global Strategies) and Director, SUSTech Global Professor Chunmiao ZHENG, delivered a commencement speech to the students. He expressed his admiration for all their achievements during their four years in Shenzhen, and highlighted their pioneering spirit in coming to SUSTech as the first international students:

“You came to us in 2016 as pioneers, taking a chance to walk a road less traveled. The pioneering spirit you demonstrated then is a part of SUSTech’s DNA. Carrying it with you will stand you in good stead as you take your next steps, whether into the world of work or on to future studies. It took SUSTech less than ten years to be ranked as a top 10 university in mainland China. I hope it won’t take you much longer either to rise to the top of your chosen professions.”

Members of the SUSTech Global team, including Associate Directors Dr. Xu LI and Jing LONG, the students’ academic supervisors former SUSTech Professor Xuefeng WANG, Professor Zhaojun YANG, and Professor Zhongren CHEN, as well as their friends and peers from the SUSTech international student community also sent their best wishes.

SUSTech Global’s International Students Center arranged for graduation gowns and hats to be sent out to Cambodia. The students met in Phnom Penh for a photoshoot, celebration, and to watch the 2020 Commencement Ceremony online. Although they were far from campus, they could still be together to share in this milestone and have a mini-commencement of their own.