On the afternoon of June 18,Course Diploma Awarding Ceremony for Sino-Swiss Graduates 2026 in International Business (Tourism and Business Management) in Cooperative Education Programwas held on Songjiang Campus. The program is a joint tourism management initiative established by School of Higher Vocational Education of SUES and the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons, Switzerland. This year marks the graduation of its ninth cohort of students.
The ceremony was attended by Gregor Fritsche, Deputy Consul General of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai; Xia Chunming, Vice President of SUES; Wang Qin, Director of the International Office; Yao Hongguang, Dean of School of Higher Vocational Education and Program Director of the Sino-Swiss Cooperative Education Program; as well as representatives of students’ families, Swiss faculty member Niall McLauchlan, and Chinese faculty members. All 2023-entry students of the Sino-Swiss program participated in the event.
In his speech, Gregor Fritsche stated that the long-standing and stable friendly cooperation between China and Switzerland has provided a broad platform for the development of the Sino-Swiss program. He noted that Switzerland’s advanced innovation concepts, combined with China’s dynamic market vitality, will empower graduates’ future career development and create unique opportunities for professional growth and employment.
Vice President Xia Chunming encouraged the graduates to pursue excellence and follow a path of interdisciplinary innovation and development. He suggested that students actively break through the boundaries of traditional disciplines and grow into versatile innovative professionals capable of meeting the needs of the global modern service industry and cultural tourism sector. He also encouraged them to strengthen resilience and global adaptability, develop cross-cultural communication skills, and confidently respond to the rapidly changing global industry landscape.
Yao Hongguang introduced the achievements of the Sino-Swiss cooperative education program over the past year and extended his sincere best wishes to the graduates.
The cooperative education partnership between SUES and the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons has been continued to deepen, with steady improvements in educational quality. Both sides will continue to enhance educational cooperation, promote cultural exchange, and expand positive interactions, further strengthening the ties between China and Switzerland.
