On June 20th, Solbridge International School of Business successfully celebrated the Graduation Ceremony to honor the academic achievements and accomplishments of our graduates. A total of 93 Bachelors, and 34 Masters, and Ph.D. from more than 23 countries earned the academic degrees, marking a transition to a new chapter of their lives.

During the opening ceremony, President Deog-Seong Oh, Executive Dean Chia Hsing Huang, and Executive Director Tae Han Kim of SolBridge International School of Business and Woosong University wholeheartedly congratulated the graduates on their hard work throughout the semester and gave them advice on finding a career in this digital era.

Following the opening remarks, the graduation ceremony continued with the awarding of the degree certifications. BBA, MBA, and MS graduates were proudly awarded the diplomas, recognizing their academic achievement and contribution to SolBridge’s diverse and vibrant community. More than 15 international students were recognized by the Beta Gamma Sigma Honor Society for their exceptional academic performance, which is only awarded to the top 10% of students in the respective programs. 

The honorary PhD inaugural, was held with great respect to recognize SolBridge’s advancing academic distinction and commitment to further insightful research. The Best Paper award was given to Zhou Lei for his publication in the Emerging Markets Finance and Trade journal, titled The Role of Bank Competition in Mitigating Information Asymmetry on Green Bond Markets: Evidence from China. The Best Dissertation award belongs to Gong Yunpeng for her thesis titled Balancing Rigidity and Flexibility: The Dual Mechanisms of Authoritarian Leadership and Self-Risk Perception in Driving Success for the Belt and Road Initiative Megaprojects.

Valedictorian Speech: A Moment of Reflection and Gratitude

A standout moment of the ceremony was the valedictorian speech presented by graduates from the BBA, MBA, and MS programs. The speech touched on their impactful academic journey, expressed sincere appreciation for the support of professors and peers, and conveyed hope for what lies ahead.

BBA Valedictorian, Aiganym Malgazhdarova from Kazakhstan

“It’s an honor to stand before you today, not just as your valedictorian, but as someone who still remembers arriving at SolBridge almost four years ago: suitcase in hand, heart full of hope, and absolutely no idea how life here would unfold.

At first, everything felt unfamiliar. A new country. New languages. New faces. Even the elevator voice spoke faster than I could understand. And yet, something inside me whispered: “This is where your journey begins.”

We found ourselves writing 20-page reports overnight, leading club activities on three hours of sleep, teaching and tutoring others while still learning ourselves. We stayed up late finishing presentations, memorized scripts on campus benches, and somehow made it through midterms, finals, and the occasional breakdown — fueled mostly by coffee, instant noodles, and the support of those around us.

And now — here we are. Dressed up. Holding our degrees.”

MBA Valedictorian, Elliot Koweng from Madagascar

"We collaborated with peers from 82 nationalities. We pitched in English, networked in Korean, and joked in French.

We became students of life.

And now, this moment belongs to you.
To those who balanced school with passion projects or part-time jobs.
To those who overcame homesickness, adapted to new cultures, and pushed through self-doubt.
You didn’t just earn a degree, you grew through every challenge and came out stronger.

We are more than business graduates.
We are global citizens.

And now, as we step into a world that is fast-paced and unpredictable, let’s carry with us the courage, culture, and connections we gained here.

If you ever feel small or uncertain, remember that even the greatest stories start with a single line.

Let yours be bold. Let it be yours.

To close, I leave you with this quote in French:
“Il faut viser la lune, car même en cas d’échec, on atterrit dans les étoiles,”
which means, “Aim for the moon, because even if you fail, you’ll land among the stars.”

MS Valedictorian, Nimra Saif from Pakistan

"At some point in our lives, we will all be that person in the arena—facing challenges, criticism, and uncertainty. But it is in those very moments, when we choose to keep going despite it all, that we truly define who we are.

In closing, Spring Graduation 2025 celebrated a memorable and significant milestone for every graduate. With their friends and families on their side, graduates expressed their gratitude and excitement with warm hugs and hands full of flowers. Countless sleepless nights, unwavering support from family, shared laughter with friends, and valuable guidance from professors all led to this unforgettable day.

With that in mind, this officially marks the start of a time when they can write their own story. SolBridge International School of Business looks forward to seeing its graduates flourish in life and leave a lasting mark around the world. Congratulations once again to the Class of 2025 – the future is now in your hands!

You can watch the full ceremony here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ4a3QMoQrA