On November 15, the Globalisation and Development (GAD) Programme invited a group of enthusiastic alumni to share their experience of studying in the GIR/GAD as well as their many accomplishments - in multiple fields, from business to academia, energy analysis and public policy – after graduation.

“As the Deputy Secretary General of UIC Alumni Association, over time I have noticed that both girls and boys who graduated from GIR have enjoyed a wide range of relevant career choices: studying in GIR/GAD definitely pays off!” said Ms. Fay Chen, a 2010 graduate who is now the Assistant CEO at Shenbo Glass in Shenzhen.

Ms. Fay Chen, the Assistant CEO at Shenbo Glass

Ms. Mia Wang, currently interning at Stork in the Netherlands in the field of renewable energy research, added:” I had multiple opportunities to explore my career interests through the classes taken at GIR/GAD, and multiple extracurricular experiences out of school. After graduation, I dived into the areas of energy management, climate governance and sustainability transformation, which I had explored in detail during the final year of college – in particular in my Final Year Project“.

Ms. Mia Wang - now working at Stork

Ms. Helen Shao discussed how to harness the reading skills acquired in GIR/GAD and apply them to graduate study: “The reading assignments in UIC improved my interdisciplinary competency, significantly expanded the scope and depth of my knowledge”. She graduated in 2020 and is now majoring in Public Policy (M.A.) at Duke University.

Ms. Helen Shao - now studying at Duke University

Many GIR/GAD alumni are pursuing further studies in prestigious universities overseas: Mr. Steven Shi, a 2021 graduate, for instance, is now majoring in Political Economy of Late Development (M.Sc) at the London School of Economics and Political Science. Ms. Lucas Guo is studying Global Governance and Ethics (M.Sc) at University College London.

Mr. Steven Shi - now studying at London School of Economics

Ms. Lucas Guo - now studying at University College of London

The GIR/GAD community is also grateful for the presentations by the following alumni: Ms. Amy Jiang, who is now studying Urbanisation and Development (M.Sc) at London School of Economics and Political Science; Mr. William Zhang, currently majoring in China in Comparative Perspective (M.Sc) at London School of Economics and Political Science.

Ms. Amy Jiang - now studying at London School of Economics and Political Science

Mr. William Zhang- now studying at London School of Economics and Political Science

We deeply appreciate the contribution of our graduates to the further strengthening and growth of the whole GIR/GAD global community: alumni are, and will continue to be, an immense source of inspiration, motivation and pride for us all!