Peking University, July 15, 2019: Wearing academic caps and gowns and shining with radiant smiles, Peking University’s postgraduates of 2019 assembled in the Khoo Teck Puat Gymnasium on the morning of July 3 to celebrate their final campus moments before embarking on the next chapter of their lives.
Graduates cheering before the opening of the commencement ceremony
The ceremony was opened with a chorus by the National Ballet of China, Peking University Art Troupe and faculty members of Peking University. Cheers and tears filled Khoo Teck Puat Gymnasium when the two big screens played a video in which dozens of graduates affectionately recalled their studies and lives at Peking University.
Qiu Shuiping speaking at the commencement ceremony
Following the Chairman of Peking University Council Qiu Shuiping’s announcement of the 2019 graduates of honors, five speakers delivered their commencement speeches to the graduates, their families, and friends.
Zhou Ren giving speech
"I was a wanderer who was confused about the future, but in the past 7 years at Peking University I have gradually found my direction and the meaning of my endeavor,” said Zhou Ren, who received a master’s degree from the School of Public Heath of the Peking University Health Science Center. She gradually realizes that unlike the doctors who fight on the front line, people who studies public health are the silent guardians of people’s health. She has dedicated her research to the genetic cause of cleft lip and palate.
"The spirit of freedom and inclusiveness of Peking University encouraged me to try and fail,” Zhou said. “I have never forgotten that when we first came to PKU, we raised our fists and solemnly sworn that we would fight for the development of our country’s medicines and healthcare, and that we would fight for mankind’s physical and psychological health.” Zhou vowed to contribute to a “Heathy China” and become a guardian of public health in the future. She will continue to pursue a doctorate degree at Peking University.
Zhuang Fangdong giving speech
The second student commencement speaker Zhuang Fangdong is a Ph.D. candidate from the College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering who reached the peak of Mount Everest last year. “When I came to Peking University 9 years ago. I could barely finish 300 meters in a 400-meter race, I even vomited after that. But later I tried really hard to work out. And now as I stand here, I can proudly say that I have conquered Mount Everest, roof of the world.” Zhuang said, “To use one word to summarize the 9 years of my life at Peking University, which is climbing. My life has been about climbing mountains, both the visible one and the invisible one, which is the mountain of academic.” He compares feeling of encountering an academic bottleneck to climbing mountains.
Zhuang will continue to do postdoctoral research at Peking University, his dream is to develop China’s own organic semiconductor material. “I know the road ahead will be bumpy. But I will always keep the posture of climbing up. Together with all of you who will soon leave this university and go to different places across China, we will sow seeds of hope on this land.” Zhuang said.
Huang Xiaojun giving speech
Professor Huang Xiaojun was this year’s faculty speaker. In his speech, he attributed his success of achieving a major breakthrough in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation to his being poetic and emphasized on the combination of a poetic sentimentality with scientific pursuit. Huang explains that to be poetic is to keep a pure heart and look beyond personal interests, to be curious and dare to question, and to pursue the good. He stresses that as a doctor, only sincerity can win the trust of patients, and only selfless communications with the patients can lead to the development of medical technology and self-progress. He admitted that his own pursuit of knowledge and truth has always involved questioning and being questioned, challenging and being challenged. Sometimes this can be perplexing and depressing, but he believes that it was this process that eventually brought him and his team world-wide recognition.
Huang also acknowledges that it is hard to keep a balance between pursuing the truth and pursuing worldly goals. “Being too persistent about your dreams, you may lose some other opportunities. However, if you compromise with the mundane you may let the truth slip away. So to be or not to be, this is a question.” Huang said.
Ding Lin giving speech
This year’s alumni commencement speaker Ding Lin, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences also shared his personal stories in pursing an academic career. Graduated from Peking University 35 years ago, Ding encouraged the graduates to pass on the spirit of Peking University and apply what they have learned to help build a better society.
Ding exhorts the graduates to be self-disciplined and think independently. “We will always be proud for being a graduate from Peking University. I hope you will keep that pride, even if it sometimes makes you feel lonely. It will sublimate your mind and guide you to success,” Ding said. “There is only one way to make yourself outstanding, which is to be self-disciplined. True freedom arises from self-discipline.”
As a renowned scientist, Ding encouraged the graduates from Peking University to be confident. “Today, we still fall behind those developed countries a considerable distance when it comes to scientific innovation, and our individual creativity and some key technologies are not yet ready to compete with theirs,” Ding said. “That being said, in areas such as materials science, 5G communication, quantum technology, as well as my study area - geoscience, we have been advancing so quickly that we are not only able to keep pace with Europe and America’s best teams – sometimes we are even better.”
Peking University President Hao Ping giving commencement speech
Peking University President Hao Ping delivered the final commencement speech. Started from the time of the Imperial University of Peking, Hao looked back into the 121 years’ history of Peking University and urged the graduates to contribute their bits to China’s future development.
“This year marks the 121st anniversary of Peking University.121 years ago, Peking University was born during the Hundred Days of Reform. Since then, whenever this country and its people suffered setbacks and distresses, this university and its students have always been a force moving upward, inspiring every era and kindling a light of hope,” Hao said. “My dear friends, you are about to graduate from Peking University and embrace a great era and a great world. Today, our country is at the peak of its development. I hope that you will pursue and strive for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.”
The commence ceremony culminated with everyone in the Khoo Teck Puat Gymnasium standing up and joining in singing Yan Yuan Qing (the unofficial school anthem of PKU) and the Ode to the Motherland. The graduates then lined up at the exits of the gymnasium for the faculty members to turn their tassels, a simple but beautiful tradition that symbolized their formal graduation.
After the commencement ceremony, the graduates will bid their farewell to Peking University and explore this vast country. But they will keep in mind that Peking University has been and will continue to be their most solid and warm harbor.
A place they call Alma Mater.
Written by: Wang Yuxiang
Edited by: Xu Penghang
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
Photo Credit: Peking University News, Peking University Wechat
