Peking University, July 15, 2021: On July 14, Peking University held a graduation ceremony for the postgraduate Class of 2021. The ceremony, occurring a day after the undergraduate commencement, celebrated the achievements that the postgraduates made during their time at PKU. The ceremony for postgraduates was presided over by Qiao Jie, executive vice president of PKU.
Prior to the ceremony, a series of performances were staged and a video documenting the journey of the Class of 2021 was screened.
Gong Qihuang, executive vice president of PKU and dean of the Graduate School, announced the list of excellent graduates. There were 1123 students awarded the title of “Excellent Graduates of Peking University in 2021” while 358 students were nominated for the “Excellent Graduates of Beijing’s Higher Education Institutions”. The awards were accorded by PKU Council Chair Qiu Shuiping. PKU Vice President Wang Bo also announced the decision made by the academic degree evaluation committee and the list of outstanding doctoral theses.
Qiu Shuiping and representatives of excellent graduates
PKU President Hao Ping congratulated the graduates and expressed great respect to their parents, faculty members, and staff who helped them. President Hao spoke highly of the remarkable performance of the Class of 2021 in a range of milestones and events, such as the 120th anniversary of the founding of Peking University, the 70th anniversary of the founding of People’s Republic of China, and the fight against COVID-19. He hopes that the graduates will consolidate their ideals and beliefs, integrate their lives to the nation’s cause and national revitalization, and work for the well-being of our people, with great determination, integrity, courage and responsibility.
Hao Ping
Zeng Qingcun, who was admitted into Peking University in 1952, is a famous meteorologist from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a recipient of China’s National Science and Technology Award. Speaking on behalf of PKU alumni, he shared his glorious memories in PKU with graduates. Zeng said he chose to study meteorology to answer the call of China, adding that the achievements PKU made in all sectors have long benefited the international community at large. Going forward, he hopes that graduates can carry on PKU’s fine tradition of devoting their life to their cause and work for China’s development.
Zeng Qingcun
Professor Wang Puqu from the School of Government delivered a speech on behalf of faculty members. He congratulated the graduating batch and expressed his best wishes for their future endeavors. He remarked that PKU has always been at the forefront of contemporary Chinese history and he hopes that students will continue playing the role of trailblazers wherever they may be. It is crucial to constantly reflect on our mission and responsibility and he urged all students to shoulder this role for the betterment of society. It is only then that students can fully blossom into “new youth” in this “new era”.
Liu Xinran, a doctoral student from the School of Public Health, delivered a speech on behalf of the Class of 2021. She shared her experience of doing fieldwork in Tibet and how the gratitude she received from doctors and patients alike motivated her to continue along this path. She expressed her gratitude towards everyone who had helped her in one way or another and wished the best for her schoolmates. “Difficulty itself is never daunting. What’s really dispiriting is the lack of the courage that motivates you to rise to the challenge,” Liu said, adding that if there are difficulties ahead, PKUers will always be the ones surging forward.
Andrea Dal Mas, an Italian master’s student in the College of Engineering, recounted his numerous experiences living in China and his bonding with students at PKU. Andrea, who grew up in China, also elaborated on his observation and love for China. “My love for China lies in the rapid changes that the country has undergone and the prosperity it has brought to the people, as well as the strong connection that I have established here at PKU with my friends from both China and across the globe”, he said, stressing that he has made the right choice to study in China given the country’s profound history and its prominence as the world’s second-largest economy.
Andrea Dal Mas
Moreover, some other PKU faculty members and staff also extended their best wishes to the graduates via video.
In a final goodbye, the participants at the ceremony sang along to the well-beloved tune “My Love for Yanyuan Garden”, a genuinely fitting tune that encapsulated their mood as an ode to all the friendships that were forged on the beautiful campus of Peking University.
Written by: Ng Joong Hwee, Bai Qingwen
Edited by: Huang Weijian, Christopher Mahony
Photo credit to: Peking University Media Center
