On February 13, the 2025 Winter Commencement Ceremony of Ajou University’s Graduate School of International Studies was held in the Yulgok Hall Auditorium, from which 70 graduates across four departments received their degrees. 

The degree ceremony proceeded in the following order: Opening Remarks, Introduction of VIPs, Opening Show, Report on Academic Affairs, Commencement Address, Congratulatory Remarks, Conferral of the Awards (Presidential Award, Dean’s Award, and Thesis Excellence Award), Graduate Representative’s Remarks, Closing Remarks, and a Group Photo Session. Faculty members from each department, representatives from the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea, and officials from the Graduate School of Business and Entrepreneurship (GSBE) of Uzbekistan attended to celebrate the graduates. 

The 70 graduates who earned their degrees at the Graduate School come from eight countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Uzbekistan. Among them, the International Management program had the largest number of graduates with 48 students, followed by the International Trade program with 9, the Civil Society program with 6, and the International Development Cooperation program with 7. 

In his congratulatory remarks, Dean Byeong-Yun Chang quoted the poetry of Yun Dong-ju to celebrate the new beginnings of the graduates. Shakhzod Kurbanov, Education Counsellor of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea, also took the stage to offer heartfelt congratulations and encouragement to the students. 

Following the official ceremonies, two student speakers shared their reflections. Ferdous Jannatul from Bangladesh, recipient of the President’s Award, said, “Studying at the Graduate School has given me confidence in myself and made me stronger. I am grateful for the support and encouragement from the professors and staff.” Toirov Saidjasirkhon, representing participants in the dual-degree program between Ajou University and the Graduate School of Business and Economics of Uzbekistan, commented, “The journey to receiving this degree was not easy, but the valuable experiences at Ajou have strengthened me and made it possible to realize my dreams.” 

Ajou University has been operating a dual-degree program with the Graduate School of Business and Economics (GSBE) in Uzbekistan since 2022. In this program, students complete two semesters at their home institution and two semesters at Ajou University to earn degrees from both institutions. This year marks the third graduation cohort, with 16 graduates in the current ceremony and a total of 58 graduates since the program’s inception. 

Below is the list of award recipients from the 2025 Academic Year Spring Degree Conferment Ceremony:

■ Presidential Award
 – International Development Cooperation: FERDOUS JANNATUL (Bangladesh)
 – International Business: TAJIBAEV JETKERBAY UBAYKHANOVICH (Uzbekistan)

■ Dean’s Award
 – International Business: DIPTY MOUMITA MEHJABIN (Bangladesh)
 – International Business: RAKHMEDOVA DILNOZA ASHRAPKHUJA KIZI (Uzbekistan)
 – International Trade: MIA MD RASEL (Bangladesh)
 – International Development Cooperation: RATSIMBAZAFY MANOA FENOSOA (Madagascar)
 – Civil Society: LAMA ANJU (Nepal)

■ Thesis Excellence Award
 – International Business: CHANDRA BIPUL (Bangladesh)
 – International Business: MAHESWARI LAKSITA IFFAT (Indonesia)
 – International Development Cooperation: ESHONKULOV KODIRJON YOKUBOVICH (Uzbekistan)