Recent Graduate Awarded Yenching Academy Scholarship

The Yenching Academy works to build bridges between China and the rest of the world by bringing together high-achieving students who have demonstrated a talent for leadership and innovation. This year 119 students were chosen for the award, and Nazir is the first student from CMU to receive this honor.

With the award, Nazir, who graduated with majors in global and Chinese studies and a minor in religious studies, will embark on a fully funded two-year interdisciplinary master's program in China studies. He plans to study law with a concentration in politics and international relations with the aim of becoming a public diplomacy officer for the U.S. State Department.

"Peking is a very unique place in China's history. It's been home to many democratic movements," Nazir said. "What resonates with me the most is that social movements begin at the bottom with students and grassroots efforts. Peking and Yenching have leading scholars in their fields along with technology and resources. You have access to one of the largest libraries in the world. The students who come in are coming from different interdisciplinary backgrounds." 

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