On the morning of 25 June, the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) Academic Award Ceremonies were held for the Class of 2025 of the Institute of Creativity and Innovation (ICI) at the main hall of Building 3 at XMU's Zhangzhou Campus. The solemn ceremonies blended the distinctive characteristics of both universities, creating a harmonious fusion of Eastern and Western elements and marking a perfect finale to the undergraduate journeys for the inaugural cohort of Digital Media Art course and the second cohort of graduates majoring in Visual Communication Design and Environmental Design courses.
The ceremonies were attended and addressed by Professor Lyndsay Duthie, Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCA; Professor Qin Jian, Dean of ICI; and Professor Philip Lambert, Associate Dean of ICI. This significant moment was also joined by Mr. Li Jun, Director of Zhangzhou Campus Management Committee; Ms. Yu Hongbo, Dean of the International College; industry guest Mr. Bode Oluwa; faculty members; all the graduates of the Class of 2025; and their families and friends.
The ceremony commenced with a formal traditional British academic procession, as the UCA delegates and ICI-UCA faculty members entered the hall to the ceremonial music. Professor Philip Lambert then delivered his opening address and invited the ICI-XMU representatives to take their seats on stage.
Professor and Vice President Fang Ying of XMU, delivered a video address on behalf of Xiamen University, extending his congratulations to the Class of 2025 of ICI, and sincere gratitude to the delegation from UCA, who came from afar. He also paid high respect to the teachers, parents, and friends who had worked hard to support the students on their road of learning and growth.
Professor Fang remarked that, as XMU’s first Sino-foreign joint institute in its century-long history, ICI has effectively utilized world-class educational resources and innovative elements from both China and the UK since its establishment. By integrating advanced educational concepts and resources from both China and the UK, it has successfully constructed a new path for Sino foreign cooperation in education and a new model for talent cultivation, forming certain characteristics and advantages, and earning wide recognition from all sectors of society.
He encouraged the graduates to uphold the university motto "Pursue Excellence, Strive for Perfection", and embark on a new chapter in life, starting from Xiamen University, which is known as the "Strength of the South", to uphold integrity while embracing innovation, and anchor themselves to the compass of values, to explore the unknown, and sustain the flame of knowledge, to embrace the world with open hearts, and to contribute to the greater good.
Professor Qin Jian, in his address, remarked that this cohort of students were the first companions on Xiamen University's journey into its new century. Over the past four years, they have been inspired by the clash between heritage and cutting-edge visions, broadened horizons through dialogues between local and global perspectives, and honed their craftsmanship through the integration of art and technology. He expressed great pride in the graduates, whose exhibited final major projects at Xiamen Fliport Convention and Exhibition Center had garnered widespread acclaim from both the university and the general public. Extending his best wishes for their bright futures, he encouraged the graduating students to aspire to great causes, maintain innovative spirit, and uphold the true essence of design.
In the video address, Professor Melanie Gray, Joint Acting Vice-Chancellor of UCA, expressed her pride in the partnership between UCA and XMU. She extended her warmest congratulations to the graduates and wished them great success in their future endeavors.
Professor Lyndsay Duthie, Pro Vice-Chancellor of UCA, in her address, highlighted UCA’s 150-year legacy of nurturing creative minds and helping students build the skills needed to thrive in the fast-moving, ever-evolving creative sector. She expressed her pride in witnessing how the graduates, under the joint cultivation of UCA and ICI, had learned to reimagine everyday spaces, tell stories in innovative ways, and challenge conventional thinking, developing creative mindsets, and demonstrating remarkable passion, resilience, and talent. Drawing inspiration from the achievements of UCA's alumni, she encouraged the graduates to forge ahead fearlessly—to become bold, curious, and imaginative thinkers who will chart their own unique paths to success.
Subsequently, with the presence of guests, faculty members from both universities, the families and friends of graduates, and amidst warm applause, the 2025 graduates took the stage one by one. Pro Vice-Chancellor Lyndsay Duthie shook hands with each of them and conferred the UCA degree certificates.
The ceremonies then continued with the awarding of UCA Creativity and Innovation Award. Professor Philip Lambert, on behalf of UCA, presented the 2025 UCA Creativity and Innovation Award to Mr. Bode Oluwa, UK-based Creative Director and Product Innovation Expert with over 25 years of international experience in the sportswear and footwear industry. Upon receiving the award, Bode Oluwa took the stage to give his acceptance speech. He shared five points that shaped his industry journey: challenge yourself, be resilient, keep dreaming, share your ideas, and stay passionate. He encouraged the graduates to embrace the future with an open and fearless mindset, wishing them all the best and a bright future ahead.
Student representatives Rui Yingqi (Digital Media Arts), Wang Yunqian (Environmental Design), and Lin Yaxin (Visual Communication Design) delivered their addresses in turn. They expressed gratitude to the dedicated faculty, supportive families, and friendly fellow students who had accompanied them throughout their undergraduate years. As they looked back on their journey of growth, transformation, dedication and achievements, they also turned their gaze to the future with confident anticipation.
In his concluding remarks, Professor Philip Lambert reflected on the students' journey of growth over the past four years, during which they had evolved into designers capable of cross-cultural and cross-disciplinary thinking and collaboration. He encouraged them to stay curious and sustain the collaborative spirit. Finally, he thanked the students and their parents for their choice to begin their journey at ICI four years before, and invited them to come back often for a visit any time in the future.
Finally the conference hall once again erupted into warm applause to bless the graduates of 2025, as the degree awarding ceremony came to an end.
Over the past five years since its establishment, the ICI has integrated advanced educational philosophies and resources from both China and the UK, opening a new path for Sino-foreign cooperation in school running characterized by "co-construction, joint governance and mutual benefit". The institute has demonstrated notable success in cultivating talents, held in high regard by diverse sectors of society. Graduates from ICI's first two cohorts have secured high-quality further education opportunities and employment, with the majority pursuing further studies. To date, among the Class of 2025, 39 have been admitted to Double First-Class universities, such as Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, and Tongji University – for postgraduate studies. Additionally, more than 120 of them have received admission notice from renowned overseas universities.
