On 29th March 2025, around 80 Global EMBA students arrived at CEIBS Shanghai campus to meet for the final time as students. Ready to ‘turn the tassel’, they came as students but left as graduates and fully fledged alumni of the wider GEMBA family.

After the initial flurry of group photos, GEMBA 2022 settled into CEIBS’ Petrochemical Auditorium, welcomed by Associate Dean and GEMBA Programme Director, Professor Bala Ramasamy.

“I am honoured to welcome all GEMBA graduates, their families and guests to the 2025 CEIBS Global Executive MBA Graduation Ceremony. Today we have 80 graduates representing 18 different countries and regions to join us today,” said the professor.

“Their graduation coincides with the year that China and the EU mark the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. They celebrate this historic milestone amidst a rapidly changing global landscape and a complex international climate in terms of business, trade and geopolitics. So, this year’s graduation is indeed special.”

Finding shared solutions to collective problems – Leadership Speeches

First to speak among the leadership figures present was CEIBS President (China), Professor Wang Hong. The professor praised the cohort not just for their performance in the classroom during the past two years, but also for consistently embodying the philosophy of combining what is good for their organisation with what is good for the world.

“Your achievements extend beyond academics,” she said. “You have traversed 13 countries, championed social causes, and given back to the school and society at large. From fundraising for earthquake relief efforts in Turkey, to organising charity initiatives for underprivileged children, and helping to eliminate plastic waste on campus, you launched a total of 15 impactful ESG-based projects. Your dedication to the higher ideals of responsible leadership makes us proud.”

CEIBS President Wang Hong

Professor Wang left the graduating cohort with a request, asking that they take the next step in their careers with the following four thoughts uppermost in their minds.

1 Retain an open, international mindset in a time of increasing global uncertainty.

2 Be a lifelong learner, as the rapid advancement of AI, quantum computing, biotechnology, and renewable energy reshapes whole industries.

3 Pursue purpose over profit, by contributing to CEIBS’ ongoing efforts in AI research, ESG studies, scholarships, and business case development.

4 Remember that CEIBS will always be a home for its students and alumni – a network that now extends to over 32,000 people worldwide.

CEIBS European President Dominique Turpin followed this address with a speech of his own, reinforcing the message that international understanding and cooperation is needed now more than ever.

CEIBS President (European) Dominique Turpin

“The great American journalist Thomas Friedman once said that ‘Thanks to globalisation, we all definitely know OF one another more than ever; but we still don’t know much ABOUT each other’. This is still true today. This is a cause for concern, but I believe that it is people like you, globally minded business leaders, who can fix the problem. As the business leaders of the future, it is vital that you maintain the global spirit that you have demonstrated by completing your Global EMBA,” said Professor Turpin.

Personal and Professional Growth – Faculty Speech

Representing the CEIBS Faculty, Professor Shimin Chen congratulated GEMBA 2022 for not only absorbing the lessons of their two-year learning journey, but also for rigorously applying them in their respective organisations.

Professor Chen left the cohort with some parting advice – in an increasingly uncertain world, it is essential to remember that the fundamental “language of business” can always be relied upon to help find the right course of action.

Professor of Accounting, Zhu Xiaoming Chair in Accounting, Associate Dean (Case Centre)

“While you may forget many of the details of individual courses you took here, you must always remember the three crucial metrics that fundamentally capture any sound business: ROE, cash flows, and growth. These financial metrics are not just numbers; they are the language of business, the tools that will guide your strategic thinking and informed decisions and ensure sustainable growth for many years to come.”

Emerging as better leaders – Graduate Speeches

Following the traditional format of the graduation ceremony, GEMBA 2022 members Peiyi Han and Jose Alvares were chosen to represent the cohort, each giving a fond farewell address to their friends and classmates.

Speaking first, Peiyi thanked her professors and peers for giving her a renewed sense of purpose, propelling her career in new and exciting directions. Her advice to her fellow graduates was to always remember the fundamental importance of humility in leadership.

Graduates Representative Peiyi Han

“No matter our background, our personality, or our leadership style, we have all learned how to listen. The higher we climb as leaders, the more dissenting voices we will face. Only by encouraging meaningful conversations can we resolve our differences.”

Jose followed with a loving testimonial of how his GEMBA experience had opened his eyes to the many benefits of stepping out of one’s comfort zone, and finding likeminded friends to share the journey.

Graduates Representative Jose Alvares

“I came to CEIBS because I wanted to do something different with my career, perhaps even with my life. Amid all the uncertainty, I have discovered an undeniable truth: I neither dialogue nor walk alone in the dark, for there is light in each one of you. Great leaders don’t create followers; they create more leaders.”

A Moment of Recognition – Awards & Class Donation

While every GEMBA cohort is made up of the brightest and most dynamic business minds drawn from a wide range of globally prominent companies, there are exceptional figures even within such an elite gathering. This was their rightful opportunity to be recognised and celebrated for their outstanding achievements during the already challenging conditions of their two-year academic programme.

Prior to the conferment of degrees, the CEIBS senior leadership figures collectively presented GEMBA 2022 class members with the following awards.

Outstanding Graduate Award 2025

This year’s recipients were：Leo Chen, Iryna Huryn, Marco Kiefer, Jun Yi, Simon Zhang

 

Outstanding Graduate Award 2025

Academic Excellence Award 2025 - Marco Kiefer

Academic Excellence Award 2025

Maple Recognition 2025

Then it was time for the GEMBA 2022 Class to make a conferment of their own. Each year it is customary for the graduating class to make their mark on the CEIBS in the form of a donation that tangibly improves the Shanghai campus. Previous cohorts have donated benches, plaques, and all manner of furnishings with sufficient durability to be a lasting gift to the school.

Maple Recognition 2025

Then it was time for the GEMBA 2022 Class to make a conferment of their own. Each year it is customary for the graduating class to make their mark on the CEIBS in the form of a donation that tangibly improves the Shanghai campus. Previous cohorts have donated benches, plaques, and all manner of furnishings with sufficient durability to be a lasting gift to the school.

GEMBA 2022 made two donations. The first was the entire refurbishment of the campus accommodation reception area, complete with a brand-new desk that was designed and manufactured by classmates James Lew and Jonas Kohns. The second was a new window panel complete with a class commemorative plaque.

Class Donation Announcement

Applicant, to student, to graduate – GEMBA 2022 become alumni

Before the degree conferment, the CEIBS Alumni Choir took to the stage to perform three songs in celebration of GEMBA 2022’s graduation. They were joined by several members of the cohort.

A moment two years in the making, the class of GEMBA 2022 were invited onto the stage to receive their degree from Vice President and Dean Professor Frank Bournois and Associate Dean (Europe) Professor Katherine XIN.

Symbolising the culmination of their lifechanging journey, and the exact moment of change from student to graduate, the cohort then ‘turned the tassel’ on their mortar boards, formally completing their GEMBA studies at CEIBS.

To close the ceremony, Professor Ramasamy delivered some final words of heartfelt congratulations to the newly minted CEIBS GEMBA alumni.

“Yet this moment is not an epilogue. The bonds you've built here will illuminate paths through professional wildernesses. Tomorrow's challenges await not just your expertise, but the unique alchemy of resilience and collaboration you've perfected. You and only you will write your future because, to quote the poem called Invictus by William Ernest Henly, you are the master of your fate, you are the captain of your soul.”

Having fulfilled all the requirements of the school, Professor Ramasamy then officially declared that they were now graduates of CEIBS.

We wish every member of the GEMBA 2022 class the very best of luck in the next chapter of their lives and careers. Remember you are always welcome at CEIBS. Please consider us your second home, and always keep us informed about your future plans and achievements.

Congratulations, GEMBA 2022!