1st batch of students graduate from Xiamen University Malaysia

Over 300 students graduated from the Xiamen University Malaysia (XMUM) on Saturday as the first batch of graduates of the Malaysian Branch of the Chinese university.

The inaugural convocation, held at the university's 150-acre campus in Sepang, Malaysia, saw 371 students, including both Chinese and Malaysians, gathered to receive their degree certificates.

Malaysian government's special envoy to China Tan Kok Wai praised the university and its students, noting it was the fruit of the cooperation between Malaysia and China on the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), building ties through education.

"As Malaysia is a confluence of four great civilizations in the world, along your studies, not only did you receive the professional academic training, but also the exposure to the diverse cultures, This shapes you to become a multifaceted talent in this new era," he said, adding that he believed the graduates will "shine brilliantly" in the future career.

In his speech, Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian praised XMUM as a "pearl" along the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road, part of the BRI.

As this year marked the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Malaysia, the students are the future of the friendship between the two countries, he said.

Zhang Rong, President of Xiamen University, encouraged the graduates to carry on the spirit of the patriotic overseas Chinese businessman and philanthropist Tan Kah Kee, who established Xiamen University in 1921.

He also encouraged the students to be the pioneers of the BRI. As BRI opens up new opportunities to the world, it also calls for young talents to join it, he said.