Peking University, June 21, 2022: Recently, you may have noticed various faculties holding ceremonies for their graduating students. In such challenging times as the present, this year's graduating batch withstood trial and tribulation to finally receive their academic degrees.

A hearty congratulations to the Class of 2022!

Let's see what our graduating class has to say to the place we fondly call "Yanyuan" and to their fellow Pekingers!

Mo Yujia 莫宇佳


China, Master, PKU First Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine

1 What’s your biggest takeaway?

The importance of being present and how to be present. I've experienced a lot in my 2 years at PKU. When I first set foot in PKU, I vividly remember how upset and nervous I felt whenever I was faced with difficulties. Gradually, as I self-reflected and was continuously showered with support from teachers and peers, I realized the only thing I could do was to indulge in the moment, try my best to face the challenge and then overcome it. Thanks to PKU for giving me these 2 years filled with unforeseen challenges, I emerge with a stronger mind.


2 What do you like best about PKU?

The teaching system. PKU has its own method in bridging professors with students, which helped me figure out my next step so that I do not miss any important information. Besides, this system dawned on me that systematic operation is necessary for anything. This is applicable to both the collective and the individual, I would like to cultivate my own ways of thinking exactly in this way—clear and concise.


3 Any goals to achieve in life?

As a researcher, I aspire to develop occupational therapy (OT) in China. Occupational therapy (OT) is my profession—despite OT being still quite novel in China, I have faith that OT has the potential to improve people's health and contribute to social development. My 2 years in PKU helped me understand that theoretical research and practical skills are equally important in advancing any industry. Thus, my next step will be pursuing my Ph.D. Maybe one day I will be at the forefront, promoting OT in China and giving it more opportunities to help more people.


4 Any words for PKU?

Thank you and all the best, sincerely!

5 Any words for your juniors?

Cherish the present moment. Take every step responsibly and explore your broad interests.

Surojjana Leelacheewasitt 李泽西


Thailand, Undergraduate majoring with Department of Chinese Language and Literature Minoring with Guanghua School of Management

1 What’s your biggest takeaway?

I've had a lot of takeaways—the friends I've made and the knowledge I've gained from the activities PKU organises, such as the International Cultural Festival and Drama Star Competition. But above all, getting to live by the Weiming Lake and beneath the Boya Tower every day; feeding the ducks in Weiming; having a picnic at the biggest tentage in Jingyuan; or even spending the night to line up for the Top Ten Student Singers with my friends. These may seem like a rather conventional 4 years, but they are truly meaningful experiences—and this is my biggest takeaway.


2 What do you like best about PKU?

Freedom. This "freedom" manifests in my daily life in PKU and the PKU spirit itself. The thing that left me the deepest impression is when everyone raised their phones with the torch on and sang G.E.M's The Brightest Star in the Night Sky in the Wu-Si Stadium. Or on a more daily note, the school strives to let Pekingers grow freely. As an effort to allay psychological woes during the pandemic, PKU set up games, such as basketball and ice curling, in the Wu-Si Stadium, allowing students to de-stress.


3 Any goals to achieve in life?

In all candour, I am still unclear about my life goals and I do not have a clear plan. However, I am rather certain about what I want and don't want to do. Hence, I will just "trial and error" to eliminate the ones I'm not fond of. Perhaps, I may be suited to do investment banking, I may like consulting or even something internet-related—these are all options I am open to. But at the moment, I just wish for me and my family to be safe and happy.

4 Any words for PKU?

I hope my alma mater will get better and better. Even though I will be commencing my graduate studies with our neighbour Tsinghua, but I will still love PKU! Hopefully ten years down the road, as the saying goes: on top of being proud to be a PKU student, I will be able to make PKU proud!


5 Any words for your juniors?

I hope my juniors will enjoy campus life. When I was a freshman, I never pondered about being a graduate student or about the job I will be taking on—these are things that are still rather distant for a Year 1 student. But perhaps due to the pandemic or simply just because I've grown, I seem to realise that time is passing way too fast. In the blink of an eye, I've graduated but I still vividly remember my shy self during Freshman Orientation and I still reminisce about those times. Hence, I would suggest playing hard alongside working hard—always remember to slow down to enjoy campus life and take a trip with your friends!

Goh Chia Chia 吴佳嘉


Singapore, Undergraduate, School of Government

1 What’s your biggest takeaway?

PKU has provided a chance for me to gain new perspectives of national and international issues from the lens of China. Completing my undergraduate degree at the School of Government has also put me in a better position to understand Chinese politics, which is also the heart of China's international relations. This is extremely vital, especially when we are not just graduates of Peking University, but also the future cultural ambassadors of China.


2 What do you like best about PKU?

PKU provides a sea of opportunities for each individual to explore and seize. The school's strong support for students' holistic development, both academically and non-academically, is something I find exceptionally valuable for my undergraduate experience at PKU. Amongst all, the myriad of research opportunities and the great emphasis and attention devoted to research and innovation is something I like best about PKU.


3 Any goals to achieve in life?

I have always been interested and actively involved in the research of smart cities and digital industries. With that, I will be pursuing my Master's in Regional Economics at Peking University in September this year whilst holding the position as the Chief of Staff (Strategy) at Figment (country.figment.live). Against this backdrop, I will be working in the NFT and Blockchain space for the next few years, accompanied with my academia pursuits.

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4 Any words for PKU?

Looking back, choosing to have my 4 years in PKU is a decision I never regretted. I am grateful for the countless surprises and moving moments this place has brought me. PKU has provided me a secure fishing net and access to a sea of knowledge. In return, “to consistently broaden my learning, to be inquisitive, to conscientiously think, to correctly differentiate, to effectively execute my tasks” (博学之，审问之，慎思之，明辨之，笃行之) is my promise to PKU academia.

5 Any words for your juniors?

Embrace the opportunities that are provided, work hard, play hard. There are not many four years in a lifetime, so always try to make the best out of everything.


With that, we'd like to wish the most heartfelt congratulations to our sui generis Class of 2022—for graduating and for making it this far!

All the best in your future endeavours and remember that no matter where you are and where you will be, you will always be in Yanyuan's hearts and minds!

Writted by: Vissly Chan
Edited by: Chan Ziqing
Photo credited to: Mo Yujia, Surojjana Leelacheewasitt, Goh Chia Chia
Designed by: Lean Zhi Xuan
Executive Producer: Hu Shaocong