On the morning of June 10, the first Master's Graduation Ceremony of Nanjing University's Nanjing-Helsinki Institute in Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences (Nanjing-Helsinki Institute) was held in the Zijin Hall of the International Conference Center at Nanjing University Xianlin Campus. Attendees included Sari Lindblom, President of the University of Helsinki; Tan Zhemin, President of Nanjing University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS); Olli Suominen, Education and Science Counsellor at the Finland Embassy in Beijing; and Fu Congbin, Academician of the CAS, Foreign Professor at the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, and Professor at the School of Atmospheric Sciences at Nanjing University.

Tan Zhemin extended warm congratulations to the first graduates of Nanjing-Helsini Institute. He noted that this year marks the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Finland. Over the years, Nanjing University and the University of Helsinki have maintained close ties and deep friendship, building a solid bridge for academic exchange between China and Finland. Tan Zhemin stated that as Nanjing University's first Sino-foreign cooperative educational institution, the establishment of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute not only witnessed the deepening cooperation between the two universities but also became a shining symbol of higher education collaboration between China and Finland. It illuminates a new journey of educational exchange between the two countries and opens the door to the forefront of global academia for the students. Tan Zhemin expressed three expectations for all graduates: to maintain a spirit of exploration, to contribute to social development, and to courageously assume international responsibility. He hoped that students will embark from Nanjing-Helsinki Institute, facing challenges with courage and pursuing dreams with determination, allowing youth to bloom brilliantly in the process of advancing human progress.

Lindblom extended heartfelt congratulations to the first graduates and expressed deep gratitude to the faculty and staff of Nanjing University and the University of Helsinki. She stated that as the first graduates of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute, the students have demonstrated foresight and partnership spirit, carrying extraordinary historical significance. The successful graduation of the first cohort is not only a highlight of individual academic careers but also the first fruitful outcome of cooperative education between the two universities. The world today urgently needs the younger generation to address and solve issues such as the climate crisis and resource shortages with unique insights. She encouraged all graduates to fully utilize the knowledge acquired at Nanjing-Helsinki Institute, maintain an innovative spirit, bravely face challenges, and actively contribute their wisdom and strength to addressing global issues.

Olli reviewed the deep friendship and cooperation achievements between China and Finland in education, culture, and other fields. He highly praised the cooperative model between Nanjing University and Finnish universities, stating that Nanjing-Helsinki Institute is one of the important achievements of educational cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized that education is a key force in promoting mutual understanding and sustainable development between the two countries, and hoped that all graduates of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute could use their knowledge to further build bridges of exchange and friendship between Chinese and Finnish cultures, anticipating the continued expansion of cooperation fields between the two universities and the implementation of more high-quality educational projects to cultivate talents with a global perspective.

At the ceremony, an Honorary Dean appointment ceremony for Nanjing-Helsinki Institute was held. Tan Zhemin awarded the appointment letter to Academician Fu Congbin, thanking him for his long-term care, promotion, and support in the development of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute.

In his speech, Fu Congbin recalled his personal experiences in promoting educational cooperation between China and Finland over the years and highly praised the achievements of Nanjing University and the University of Helsinki in jointly establishing Nanjing-Helsinki Institute. He expressed that the Institute has cultivated talents with solid theoretical knowledge, innovative abilities, and international perspectives, and hoped that graduates will remember their mission and actively devote themselves to the cause of promoting sustainable development between China and Finland.

Markku Kulmala, Director of the Institute for Atmospheric and Earth System Research (INAR) at the University of Helsinki, Academician of the Finnish Academy of Science and Letters, and Foreign Academician of the CAS, delivered a graduation message via video. He shared the latest achievements of cooperation between the two universities, fully affirming the important role of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute students in addressing global challenges and encouraging everyone to continue moving forward in search of answers needed for human development.

Lindblom, on behalf of the University of Helsinki, presented graduation greeting cards to the entire 2025 graduating class of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute.

Lu Yanqing, Vice President of NJU awarded certificates to university-level outstanding graduates of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute.

Suo Wenbin, Vice President of NJU, awarded certificates to the 2025 alumni liaisons of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute.

Ding Aijun, Assistant President of NJU and Dean of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute chaired the ceremony.

Wang Yuting and Tom Kokkonen, representing Chinese and Finnish faculties, encouraged all graduates to always maintain respect for knowledge and curiosity about the world, establishing a lifelong learning mindset to adapt to the ever-changing environment.

Graduate representatives Dai Yufan and Zhu Haohan shared their experiences at Nanjing-Helsinki Institute.

In the second half of the ceremony, students presented wonderful performances, showcasing the youthful spirit of the graduates. The Nanjing-Helsinki Institute faculty choir sang "Tomorrow Will Be Better," wishing all graduates a bright future. All graduates sang the School Song of Nanjing University, marking the conclusion of the 2025 Master's Graduation Ceremony of Nanjing-Helsinki Institute.