Celebrating Brilliance: HSS hosts PG Academic Excellence Awards

On the morning of April 16, 2025, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) at Xi¡¯an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) hosted its inaugural Postgraduate Academic Excellence Award Ceremony. Held on the 3rd-floor balcony of the HS Building, the event marked a momentous occasion to celebrate and recognize the exceptional achievements of postgraduate students, as well as to commemorate their transition from academic life to professional careers

The ceremony began with a warm welcome from Dr Hui Wang, the School Postgraduate Director of Studies and Associate Professor in the Department of Literary and Translation Studies.?As the event organizer and the driving force behind the creation of the Postgraduate Academic Excellence Award, Dr Wang shared her vision for the award, highlighting that the awards are established to acknowledge the exceptional efforts of our postgraduate students who have consistently demonstrated outstanding academic performance and to foster a thriving academic environment that encourages all students to reach their potential.

¡°The initial intention was to inspire our students, as they are truly outstanding. I deeply appreciate the efforts they have invested throughout the year, and this is a moment for us to recognize their achievements,¡± she said.

Dr Mohsen Al-Attar, Associate Dean of Learning and Teaching at HSS, delivered the opening speech. He expressed his pride in students¡¯ achievements and emphasized the importance of academic excellence in shaping future leaders.

¡°What I find most satisfying about today is that it marks the day you learned to think more independently, to think creatively, and to manage effectively.¡± He said.Dr. Al-Attar also recognized the contributions of faculty members and staff, noting that their support has been crucial in helping students succeed.

During the awards session, Dr. Mohsen Al-Attar and Dr. Penelope Scott presented awards to outstanding students, recognizing their exceptional academic performance across various disciplines.?Awards presented include?Best Performance in Master Dissertation and Best Overall Academic Performance. Each award recipient was called to the stage to receive their certificate and a round of applause from their peers and faculty members.

Venessa, recipient of the Best Overall Academic Performance Award, was especially invited to share her academic journey in HSS. She reflected on the challenges she faced as an international student and how she overcame them through perseverance and support from the university community.

¡°When I first arrived at XJTLU, everything was new¡ªthe language, the culture, and the people. But over time, I grew both academically and personally. The experiences and friendships I have gained here will stay with me forever,¡± Venessa shared.

Dr Qingyang Sun, Assistant Professor in the Department of Applied Linguistics, introduced the newly established HSS Alumni Association during the ceremony.

¡°Graduation is not the end of your journey; it is just the beginning. By staying connected with us, you will be able to support future generations of students and share your experiences with them,¡± She mentioned.

In her closing remarks, Dr Wang offered heartfelt words of encouragement to all graduates:

¡°You are about to step out from campus into the wider world, armed with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact. We are proud of each and every one of you, and we look forward to hearing about your future successes. You are about to step into the world, moving on from HSS to endless opportunities. Whether you're diving deeper into research or starting your career in different industries, I look forward to seeing you put your knowledge and skills to good use, make your mark, and help shape the future. We are excited to hear more about your successes!¡±

Below is a list of all awarded students.

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Repotor£ºTing Li

Editor: Yiyi Gu

New Media: Ting Li