Graduates of the 2025 EGEI program toss their caps into the air to celebrate their graduation. [Photo/en.xmu.edu.cn]

Ghent University in Belgium hosted the graduation ceremony for the 2025 cohort of the Economics of Globalisation and European Integration (EGEI) joint master's program on Oct 18.

Five master's students from Xiamen University (XMU) completed all program requirements and received the prestigious EGEI diploma, jointly signed by the presidents of all member universities.

Upon fulfilling XMU's academic requirements, they will also be awarded a degree from XMU, thereby achieving a dual-degree qualification.

Throughout 2024, they studied across multiple European countries, gaining advanced knowledge in economics while broadening their global perspectives in diverse cultural environments.

The EGEI program offered not only rigorous academic training and dual-degree opportunities but also provided a transformative experience, helping them grow through continuous challenges.

Faculty members and students pose for a group photo at the EGEI graduation ceremony. [Photo/en.xmu.edu.cn]

Zhu Weixuan, assistant professor in the School of Economics at XMU, attended the ceremony to witness this important milestone in students' life.

Reflecting on the program, student Duan Yunbo expressed gratitude for the understanding and insights gained through global engagement, noting how it shaped him into a better version of himself.

Wang Xueqing described the year as the most fulfilling of her life, highlighting EGEI as a journey to "Explore" the world, "Embrace" the differences, "Grow" and "Identify" herself.

Students all complete their courses at Ghent University. [Photo/en.xmu.edu.cn]

Founded in 1994 and led by the University of Antwerp, EGEI is a collaborative master's program that includes several European universities, with Xiamen University joining in 2011.

Students spend the first three semesters at three different member institutions receiving specialized training in economics, while the final semester is spent completing an internship and thesis at a chosen partner university.

Graduates meeting all requirements receive a diploma signed by the alliance presidents, recognized by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange.