Tsinghua University Commencement Ceremonies

The Tsinghua University Commencement ceremonies 2015 for graduates and undergraduates were held separately in the Comprehensive Gymnasium on the mornings of July 11 and 12. Of the graduates, 1,591 received doctorates and 3,936 received master’s degrees. More than 3,500 undergraduates completed their studies at Tsinghua University and received academic degrees. President of Tsinghua and Chairman of the Degree Conferral Committee Qiu Yong, Tsinghua University Council Chairman Chen Xu, and other university leaders awarded degrees and certificates to the new graduates.

In his address at the Commencement ceremony for graduate students, President Qiu Yong extended his congratulations to the students. “Graduation is a new starting point in life. As President, I also look forward to your wonderful future as you do,” said President Qiu “This is an era full of hope, and everyone has a chance to realize their dreams. This is an era of diversity, in which all kinds of ideas, cultures, and values collide and fuse at every moment. This is an era full of choices, in which every act of persistence is a test of our heart.” The President noted that in such an era, in which opportunities co-exist with challenges, only when individual goals and the needs of our country, social development and human progress are integrated tightly can we create an excellent life. To create an excellent life, we have to have clear goals and humanistic feelings. Humanistic feelings mean to have concern and love towards our fellow humans, society and nature. They also require awe and respect towards life and justice. In order to create a remarkable life, we should always remain persistent and never give up.

In his presidential remarks on Sunday, President Qiu told the undergraduates that they are the first batch of students to have entered Tsinghua after the centennial celebration, and also the first batch of undergraduates who have graduated since he became President. He told the undergraduates to have a dream, then to let it be the roadmap to success in their lives. He also hoped the students could become future leaders. “Only when you stand high, can you see things differently and see what others can’t see. Leading is a kind of responsibility, which needs enough courage and pioneering spirit to take the first step. As a leader, you suffer more pressure than others as you take more risks. What I have to tell you is that only leaders will appreciate the unique scenery of life,” declared President Qiu. He also encouraged the students to be persistent innovators. “Innovation is not only the most important characteristic of this era, but it has become a lifestyle. I wish you can all stay hungry and passionate towards something new. Learn to observe things from a different perspective and learn to solve matters with new methods, “said President Qiu. Finally, he told the students “Tsinghua University will always be your warm home.”

University life has now turned into a precious memory, and all the graduates will welcome a new start. “Actions speak louder than words, responsibilities are on our shoulders, promote industrial innovation, and benefit the people”, “paint and design our life”, “we love our environment!”,...--at the ceremony, the students loudly shouted their future dreams and their love for their departments. They also took photos with their friends, teachers and family members after the ceremony, sharing the joy of graduation.

By Hannah, Estrella