Tsinghua University hosted its commencement ceremony to honor the graduate class of 2022 on June 26.

Qiu Yong, Chairman of Tsinghua University Council, announced the list of the titles awarded, of which 96 doctoral and 68 master’s graduates were awarded the title of “outstanding graduates.”

Tsinghua University President Wang Xiqin delivered a speech during the ceremony, extending his warmest congratulations and best wishes to all the graduates.

He encouraged the graduates to remain true to their initial aspirations and pursue the greater good despite the twists and turns of life.

He hoped that the graduates would consolidate the vision of a community with a shared future for mankind, stand on the right side of history and on the side of human progress, overcome self-serving desires and hardships, pursue the greater good, and lead their youth to blossom in service of the country and the people and of humanity at large.

He said that the Tsinghua graduates should shoulder their responsibilities without hesitation and make more contributions to the country’s prosperity and rejuvenation, the people’s happiness and the progress of human civilization, while dedicating themselves to working hard in a down-to-earth manner.

“Your future is in your hands and let’s live up to your expectations and also to the expectations of the people and the nation. I wish you all a happy graduation,” he said, concluding his remarks.

Zheng Fang, a Tsinghua alumnus and currently a professor at Beijing Jiaotong University, delivered his remarks as the alumni representative. Zheng completed a master’s degree in architecture in 1996 and a doctoral degree in engineering in 2014 from Tsinghua University. He is the chief architect of the National Speed Skating Oval and the curling venue of the National Aquatics Center for the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

In his remarks, Zheng congratulated the graduate class of 2022 for their accomplishments and shared his experiences working as an architect designing sustainable and eco-friendly venues for the Olympics.

“I believe that your life will also contribute to this era and create a truly sustainable and better future. A brilliant future awaits you. Good luck,” he said to the graduate class of 2022.

Yue Siyu, a doctoral graduate from the Department of Earth System Science, gave her commencement remarks as the doctoral student representative.

Siyu, who studies the impact of climate change, shared her research experiences in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau and said that, after graduation, she would continue to work to promote harmony between humans and nature for current and future generations.

She hoped that the graduate class of 2022 would seize the opportunities of the times, bring the best out of themselves, and usher in more successes.

Li Qizhong, a master’s graduate from the School of Aerospace Engineering, delivered his remarks as the master’s student representative.

Recalling his time participating in Covid-19-related research two years ago, he said he was proud that he was able to commit to serving the community and society.

He said he looked forward to applying his skills to serve the country after graduation.

Tsinghua graduates gathered at the main commencement ceremony venue outside the Tsinghua Auditorium, and nine other outdoor viewing points on campus, to watch their commencement ceremony and receive their hard-earned degrees while maintaining physical safety standards.

The ceremony was also streamed live in both Chinese and English so that graduating students who were unable to return to the University, and their families and friends, as well as Tsinghua alumni, could watch it virtually. The University has offered the graduating students the opportunity to return to the University to participate in a future degree conferment ceremony.

The ceremony adopted a hybrid online and offline format to adhere to health and safety measures in response to Covid-19.

Yang Bin, Provost and Vice President of Tsinghua University, hosted the ceremony.

Tsinghua University held its commencement ceremony for undergraduates on June 25.

Writer: Sangeet

Editors: John Olbrich, Li Han

Photos: Li Pai, Xu Degang, Chang Zhidong, Jia Guihao