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The Cullen College Celebrates First Cohort Graduating From the UH – DMU Institute
Dr. Roberto Ballarini addressing the students in English, while Institute staff member Ms. Yan Honglin (Holly) translates his words into Chinese for the graduates’ non-English speaking parents, siblings and friends.
Dr. Roberto Ballarini addressing the students in English, while Institute staff member Ms. Yan Honglin (Holly) translates his words into Chinese for the graduates’ non-English speaking parents, siblings and friends.
Representative graduates on stage to receive UH pin from Dr. Ballarini.
Representative graduates on stage to receive UH pin from Dr. Ballarini.
One of the representative students having his UH pin placed by Dr. Ballarini.
One of the representative students having his UH pin placed by Dr. Ballarini.
Students throwing their graduation caps into the air. The front row consists of faculty, administration and staff of DMU-UH Institute.
Students throwing their graduation caps into the air. The front row consists of faculty, administration and staff of DMU-UH Institute.

On July 2, 2024, the Cullen College of Engineering celebrated a special milestone: the graduation of the inaugural student cohort in the UH-DMU Institute. These 85 students, who began their studies in the fall of 2020 on the DMU campus, received electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering degrees from both institutions.

Because it is a dual-degree program, the students' achievements were recognized during both the DMU-wide commencement and a separate institute ceremony. Dr. Roberto Ballarini, who serves as institute director, represented UH at both. At the commencement, a representative student from the inaugural class gave him a bouquet of flowers. At the smaller ceremony and the reception that followed, he gave a speech and had the opportunity to meet with the graduates and their parents.

The feedback provided to Dr. Ballarini from students and parents alike has made it clear that the UH-DMU Institute is a significant success that has received attention throughout China. The graduates and their families expressed their appreciation for the quality of education and support provided by the participating UH and DMU faculty and staff. They said they were glad they had decided to enroll in the institute.

The UH-DMU Institute, a beacon of global collaboration, has significantly expanded the Cullen College's global reach. By offering high-quality engineering education and rich cultural experiences to students in Dalian, the institute has made a profound impact. The delivery of three UH engineering degrees to large student cohorts at a campus 7,000 miles away is a testament to the institute's global influence. This achievement is a result of the collective efforts of the entire UH community, including the UH administration and its other colleges, such as NSM, CLASS, and Arts. Special thanks to Dean Dr. Pradeep Sharma for his unwavering support, Dr. Suresh Khator (Senior Associate Dean) for his leadership in global initiatives and outreach, Dr. Alejandrina Campanella (Institute Co-Director) for her tireless efforts in day-to-day operations, Dr. J.R. Rao (Senior Associate Dean) for the critical role he plays in our undergraduate programs, and Dr. Jinlei Zhang (Institute Director on the DMU campus).and Dr. Jinlei Zhang (Institute Director on the DMU campus).

To view the full commencement photo album here.

 

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