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2025 Graduation Ceremony

The 32ndGraduation Ceremony of Shenzhou Open University of TCM (SOU) was held at SOU main campus in Amsterdam on 3 October 2025.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Zhilin Dong, SOU president, as well as teachers, graduates and their families and friends.

Welcome by Rob van Hees

Welcome to everyone to the 2025 graduation ceremony.

On behalf of Mr Dong, director of Shenzhou Open University of TCM and Dan Tan, Academic dean of the programme, I warmly welcome everyone: the representatives of the professional associations NVA and Zhong, whom I will introduce to you in a moment, our dedicated teachers and last but not least, the Graduates and their guests.

Opening by Rob van Hees Graduation 2021 Shenzhou Open University of TCM
Graduates and invitees at the Graduation 2021 Shenzhou Open University of TCM
Gifts from ZHONG at the Graduation 2021 Shenzhou Open University of TCM

Students and guests of the graduation ceremony

I am Rob van Hees, study coordinator, and I will guide you through the programme this afternoon. I will therefore briefly go through the programme, while also introducing the speakers.

In the first part of the afternoon, the graduates will be addressed by representatives of the professional associations and teachers of Shenzhou. The second part of the afternoon will then be followed by the graduation ceremony with congratulations from teachers and the taking of pictures.

So let me introduce to you the our special guests who will speak this  afternoon:

  • Dan Tan, Dean of Shenzhou Open University of TCM.
  • Barbara Jenner, Board member from the professional association NVA and Caroline Albers, executive member from NVA.
  • Angie Calor-Man, Secretary Board member of the professional association Zhong and Lisanne van Beek, office employee from Zhong.
  • Senior teacher Mr. Toine Korthout, who will speak on behalf of the teachers and examination committee.
  • and finally, Mrs. Helen Tay, who will speak on behalf of the graduates.

    Dr. Dan Tan

    Dean of SOU

    Today we gather to celebrate a profound milestone in your lives: the conclusion of years of dedication, study, and a deep passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine. As your Dean, it gives me immense pride to stand before you. You are carrying forward a legacy of healing that has flourished for thousands of years.

    The path to this moment has not been easy. It has taken long nights of study, countless hours of practice, and a deep commitment to understanding the human body and spirit. You have learned to look beyond symptoms, to listen to the body’s quiet messages, and to treat each patient as a unique individual. This is what makes Chinese medicine so powerful and so relevant today.

     

    Speech by Dan Tan Graduation 2021 Shenzhou Open University of TCM
    Dan Tan with one of the students

    Of course, the years ahead will bring challenges. You may face doubts, or even obstacles, in bringing TCM into the heart of modern healthcare. But I urge you: remain steadfast. Be confident in the knowledge you have gained. Keep learning, keep growing, and keep innovating. Medicine is ever-evolving, and from today, you are part of that evolution.

    The great physician Sun Simiao once said: “To heal a patient, one must first calm their spirit, and guide them with virtue.” Let compassion, patience, and humility guide your practice. I have no doubt you will make a lasting contribution to your communities.

    But today is not only a celebration, it is also a moment for gratitude. Think of your families, your friends, your teachers and coordinators—all those who have supported you along this journey. Their belief in you has been the cornerstone of your success.

    And now, graduates, please rise and give them the loudest round of applause of the day!

    Once more, on behalf of Director Dong, congratulations Class of 2025. May your path be filled with wisdom, your practice with purpose, and your life with the joy of healing. Continue to succeed, to innovate, to flourish, and to thrive in the field of Chinese medicine.

    Thank you.

    Barbara Jenner , NVA

    The beauty of Chinese Medicine has entered your life for good

    Thank you for your invitation, for inviting my colleague Caroline Alberts and myself. My name is Barbara Jenner. I am a board member of NVA, the Dutch Association of acupuncture and also a therapist of Chinese medicine.

    Fifteen years ago, I opened my own Tuina and acupuncture clinic in Haarlem. Family and friends survived my first needles and Tuina techniques, I had felt their pulses, looked at as many tongues as possible and talked about liver qi stagnation, blood deficiency and running piglets… People around me had a hard time keeping up, since I started using different words, but mostly from a different perspective.

    Opening by Rob van Hees Graduation 2021 Shenzhou Open University of TCM

    A few years ago, I studied Chinese herbs. That’s when it became worse. The deal I have with my husband, who lived through it all, is that in the morning he first wants a coffee. Only then am I allowed to talk about a herbal formula or acupuncture treatment I dreamt about. So partners, friends, family be warned…it gets worse.

    Every day I learn from my patients, they are my teachers in clinic, I follow various courses, I want to understand, My love for the deep and vast knowledge of Chinese Medicine only grows and makes me humble that the teachers I had, the teachers and professors you have, passed on their knowledge to the next generation of practitioners. That makes me humble and privileged to be part of this legacy.

    Congratulations, dear graduates. Congratulations are definitely in place.  You have reached the point of no return. The beauty of Chinese Medicine has entered your life for good.  Once this door is opened it cannot be closed. The path you all have chosen is not an easy path, but you have proven dedication and perseverance.

    In a world focused on technology, artificial intelligence and e-health there is an increasing need for personal contact, personal touch and personalised medicine. That is where you can make a difference. We have the luxury of time, which is needed to make a good diagnosis. Once you have your diagnoses the rest will follow. Easy..

     Starting out as an acupuncturist is not easy. Over the years I have wondered at times why I did not choose a normal profession, but then I remember my teacher who said you do not choose Chinese medicine, Chinese medicine choses you. It is my path; it is your path. Stay true to yourself and remember that when you first patient walks through the door gather information, observe, feel the pulse, look at the tongue, only use the information in front of you, and trust in yourself and the knowledge passed on to you. It is a privilege to be able to help others improve their life at whatever level needed.

    I could talk the whole evening about my passion for Chinese medicine, but that is not why I am here. I am here on behalf of the largest acupuncture association in this country, NVA. The past three years I am a board member responsible for continuing education. It is great to be part of the NVA. As an association we represent and to protect your interests as an acupuncturist towards health insurance, the government and other organisations. Our members meet our high-quality standards. In short, we promote the professionalization and strengthen the recognition of acupuncture.  

    We have a solid board and professional, informative office.  You are more than welcome to become a member. We have an informative website which is also available in English.

    We help new members in how to start your practice. Being an acupuncturist is one thing, but as a practitioner you also have a business, you are self-employed. With over 48 years of experience, we help our members with law issues, like privacy and patient rights, health insurances and other issues. With our digital newsletter we keep our members informed as well.

    As a member you can always contact our office or send an email. You focus on putting your knowledge to good use, spread your wings and help your patients, we take care of the rest.

    Thank you!

    Opening by Rob van Hees Graduation 2021 Shenzhou Open University of TCM

    Angie Calor-Man, Zhong

    Traditional Chinese Medicine does not belong to one person alone

    First, Mr. Dong and Ms. Dan Tan, thank you for inviting us to celebrate this wonderful moment.

    Most importantly, congratulations to you, the graduates of 2025!

    Today is a day of joy, a day of pride, a day to honor your hard work, your perseverance, and your passion for Traditional Chinese Medicine.

    My name is Angie Calor-Man, secretary general of the Dutch association NVTCG Zhong. Together with my colleague Lisanne from our office, we warmly welcome you into our professional community.

    Being here at Shenzhou brings me back to milestones in my own life: my husband’s graduation, later my own, and just two years ago, our son’s.

    Each of those moments reminded me that our journeys are never walked alone. They are shared with family who cheer us on, with teachers who guide us, with study coordinators who support us, and with classmates who stand beside us.

    Traditional Chinese Medicine does not belong to one person alone. It lives in the bonds between people, and it becomes stronger in community. At Zhong, we are honored to welcome you into the wider TCM community.

    Today is about celebrating you, your dedication, your journey. Know that you are not alone in this journey. And as a small token, we bring you a gift: a sign of our belief in your future and our commitment to stand beside you.

    As I close, remember: graduation is just the beginning. From here, your path as a professional unfolds. We are excited to see how each of you will touch lives, with care, with compassion, and with your knowledge of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

    Congratulations once again, and may your future be bright.

    Helen Tay, Student (Graduate)

    We came here because we were drawn to the healing power of these traditions

    It is truly an honor to stand here today on behalf of my fellow graduates of Acupuncture, Tuina, Herbal Medicine & Western Medicine. With this, I would like to thank Dr. Dan Tan, our Academic Dean, for this opportunity.

    When we began this journey, many of us carried a mixture of excitement and uncertainty. We came here because we were drawn to the healing power of these traditions – the precision of acupuncture, the art of Tuina, the depth of herbal medicine, and the wisdom behind them all. We also came with an appreciation for how these approaches can integrate with Western medicine to offer more holistic care. And most of all, the hope of helping people in a more holistic way.

    Opening by Rob van Hees Graduation 2021 Shenzhou Open University of TCM

    The path wasn’t easy. There were moments when the workload felt overwhelming, when we doubted ourselves, and when we wondered if we would ever get all the point locations and their indications straight or truly master the techniques. For many of us, those challenges came on top of busy lives — balancing jobs, raising families, and meeting responsibilities beyond the classroom. That juggling act wasn’t simple, but it taught us resilience, perseverance, and patience — qualities that will serve us well as practitioners. We found strength in ourselves that we didn’t know we had.

    Equally important were the people around us. Our teachers shared their knowledge with generosity and compassion. With encouragement, they reminded us that healing is not only about technique, but about presence, listening, and respect for the person in front of us. Our classmates became colleagues and friends — people who understood the challenges, who supported us when it was tough, and who celebrated each step of progress together. And behind the scenes, our families and loved ones were there as well – offering patience, encouragement, and understanding when our time and energy were stretched thin. Their support gave us the strength to keep going.

    Through clinical practice, we experienced the essence of this education. To witness someone’s pain ease, to see a patient leave lighter than when they arrived, or to hear a patient say “I feel better” — those moments reminded us why we chose this path and why every sacrifice was worth it.

    Graduating today does not mean our learning is finished — in fact, in many ways it is just the beginning. This path invites us to keep observing, reflecting, and growing, both as practitioners and as individuals. Shenzhou has given us not only the skills to step into this profession, but also the confidence and humility to keep growing within it.

    On behalf of my fellow graduates, I want to thank our teachers, mentors, families, and friends. Your encouragement and patience carried us to this day. We would also like to thank Director Dong Zhilin and Shenzhou for providing a platform dedicated to the continuity of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and for making it possible for us to study TCM within our reach.

    And to my fellow graduates — in Acupuncture, Tuina, Herbal Medicine & Western Medicine — congratulations! We celebrate not only what we have achieved, but what we overcame to get here. May we carry forward the resilience, compassion, and dedication that this journey has cultivated in us, and may we use it to serve others with care and respect.

     Thank you

    Graduation 2024 Shenzhou Open University of TCM - Amsterdam

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