On October 23, 2014 the Institute of East Asian Studies (IN-EAST) congratulated this year’s graduates on successfully completing their degrees, gave a warm welcome to the new students and welcomed students back who had spent a year abroad. The IN-EAST celebrated, together with graduates, their families and friends, students and lecturers.

The invitation flyer can be downloaded here.

Students come to Duisburg from all over the world for their Master studies on East Asia
 

The IN-EAST offers international Master study programs, taught in English. The majority of Master students originate from countries other than Germany. This year, the IN-EAST welcomes students who came all the way from China, Russia, the USA, Indonesia, Thailand, Bulgaria, Armenia, Romania, Bangladesh, Spain, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to attend their Master studies on East Asia in Duisburg.

New faces at the IN-EAST – Master students

New faces at the IN-EAST – Bachelor students

Experience East Asia – Bachelor students return from their exchange year in Japan and China
 

Since winter term 2011/12, the IN-EAST offers the Bachelor program "Moderne Ostasienstudien" (taught in German language). An exchange year in Japan or China is an essential part of this study program. The "Welcome Back" part of the celebration was dedicated to the pioneer group of Bachelor students who recently returned from their exchange year abroad. 19 universities in the PR China and Japan had received the exchange students from Duisburg and the students spoke to the audience – including this year’s freshmen – about their exciting experiences abroad.

Welcome Back – Pioneers return from their exchange year abroad

This year’s graduates
 

During the last year, 24 graduates completed their studies with a Master degree and 13 graduates received a Diploma degree at the IN-EAST. In addition, the first Bachelor student completed his study program at the IN-EAST. In her touching graduate student speech, Weijing Le shared her story with the audience. Weijing came from China to Duisburg for her Master studies.

Scholarships and the AlFreDO Award
 

Students of the IN-EAST have different opportunities to apply for scholarships. The Confucius Institute, the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) as well as Dokkyo University and JASSO (Japan Student Services Organization) offer financial support for studies abroad. In addition, AlFreDO (Alumni und Freunde der Duisburger Ostasienstudien e.V.) generously supports IN-EAST students and graduates. The granting of the AlFreDO Award for the best Master thesis and the AlFreDO scholarship has become an essential part and highlight of the ceremony.

Musik
 

Für die musikalische Untermalung sorgte die Schülerband der Willy-Brandt-Gesamtschule Bochum. Sie hatten in einem gemeinsamen Projekt mit einer Schülerin der Japan-AG ein besonderes Programm für die Absolventenfeier erarbeitet.