Peking University, June 14, 2022: Spring has been particularly stressful this year for graduating students due to the COVID-19 challenges, while summer is the time when graduates across the globe don caps and gowns to celebrate their achievements. With strict epidemic prevention measures during these trying times, Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) held its commencement on June 3. A total of 574 students graduated this year to start their new journey in life.

 






The ceremony was kicked off by a graduation video featuring graduates’ unforgettable memories and faculty’s best wishes. Due to the pandemic, some international students couldn't attend the onsite ceremony and shared their best wishes via the video.





Chen Xiyang reflected on the three-year study and campus life at PHBS, which made her stronger and open-minded. Standing at the intersection of the Chinese nation's century-long journey and the great rejuvenation, she hoped that all the graduates could unleash the passion of youth, realize their dreams, and strive to become useful and capable of taking up important responsibilities.



Yu Haiyong spoke of his study experience at PHBS and precious life lessons learned from wonderful faculty. He maintained that "nothing is ever easy for us at any stage of our life, but it is never too late to start from now." He hoped that with more forgiveness, responsibility, and reliability, we could have more companions to create miracles together.


Ma Jian recalled his journey intertwined with PHBS, admitting that he felt like a new person after two-year study by reinventing himself, discovering life passions, and stimulating work incentives. He emphasized the importance of remaining true to the original aspirations, the friendship with classmates, and looking forward to the future.


Cen Wei shared his insights on the meaning of value from the financial perspective, noting that according to the valuation models, value creation has the following three principles: creating positive net cash flows, controlling risks, and seeking for sustainable growth. In addition, he pointed out that graduates should also cherish the priceless treasure in life, including sunlight, friendship, family, and health in their pursuit of careers and aspirations. He concluded by encouraging graduates to “be a value creator, do what creates value.”


Wang Pengfei highlighted the importance of having hopes and strengthening “skillset” especially in the face of "VUCA", which means the era of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. He hoped graduates could discover unchangeable principles under instabilities and uncertainties, and stay brave to explore the clear paths behind complex and ambiguous situations.

Recalling the development history of China, he urged graduates to shoulder the responsibilities and make contributions to China’s rejuvenation, the high-level opening-up, global peace and sustainable development. He wrapped up by hoping PHBSers always have confidence, care about others, and undertake significant responsibilities in the future.” We have hopes and we will generate hopes!"



At each year's commencement, Professor Hai Wen gives graduates a copy of his original artworks. This year, his oil painting depicted the tranquil grassland with the rising sun, bearing the message “Hope in the spring.”

As this year marks the 40 anniversary of his graduation from PKU, Professor Hai had a lot of thoughts and many hopes to share with graduates. He hoped that the pandemic could end soon, our economy could recover quickly, and our life could get back to normal. Noting that we carved for hopes more than ever, he believed that the spring would eventually come and hopes would come true after the prolonged winter.



Closing the ceremony with Professor Hai officiating, Chu Chia-Shang, vice chairman of PHBS Council, and Ouyang Liangyi, vice dean of PHBS, announced the names all the graduates.





Photo Gallery


All the best to their future endeavors!

Written by: Annie Jin
Source: PKII PHBS