On June 30, Huaqiao University (HQU) held its 2024 Commencement and Degree Conferment Ceremony on Quanzhou and Xiamen campuses for more than 7,300 graduates.
HQU leaders Xu Xipeng, Wu Jianping, Wang Xiuyong, Wang Lixia, Lin Hongyu, He Chunzheng, Xu Zhiyong, Huang Hui, Gou Jin, and president assistant Zeng Zhixing attended the ceremony. They turned the tassel for graduates and granting them diplomas.
On behalf of the university, Xu Xipeng, Secretary of the CPC Huaqiao University Committee, accepted graduation gifts from representatives of the graduates.
Xu Xipeng, Secretary of the CPC Huaqiao University Committee, is turning the tassel for a graduate.
HQU President Wu Jianping delivered a speech titled “Dao operates naturally”. He hoped graduates would follow the requirements of General Secretary Xi Jinping by delving into the rich tapestry of traditional Chinese culture, following the natural course of all events, and evolving with the times. He stated that HQU’s mission goes beyond academic knowledge and skill development; the university also aims to shape values, so that students could deeply understand the rules and proactively build their own future.
President Wu Jianping delivered a speech.
Wu elaborated on the concept of “Dao operates naturally” through three aspects: reverence, worship and love. Reverence means showing respect for nature, life and rules. In line with that, he urged HQU students to be honest, kind, down-to-earth, and cooperative, to stay strong in the face of difficulties and set backs, and to maintain integrity even in private life and on trivialities.
By worship, Wu highlighted the admiration for heroes, lifelong learning, and innovation. He encouraged HQU students to aspire greatness, shoulde r responsibilities, keep learning, stay innovative and advance with the times for the prosperity of our country, the rejuvenation of our nation and the betterment of human civilization.
Love refers to the affection for the motherland, life and labor. Wu hoped HQU students would stay loyal to the motherland, socialism, and the CPC,and at the same time approach life with enthusiasm, optimism and gratitude. Wu also reminded the students that youth is a time for endeavor, urging them to stand on their own feet, help others, and contribute to society.
Wu Jianping expressed his hope for international students to integrate the insight they gain from their experience in China with the unique condition of their home countries. He encouraged them to make use of the knowledge and skills acquired at HQU to promote economic and social development and cooperation between China and their home countries, and to realize their own value in the great practice of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Wu concluded his address by citing from the renowned poet Su Shi’s Calming the Waves, encouraging the graduating class to march ahead with unwavering courage in the face of challenges and uncertainties, and contribute their youthful vigor to the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Vice President Wang Xiuyong announced the decision to commendoutstanding graduates.Vice President Wang Lixia presided over the graduation ceremony and declared the conferral of degrees.
Commending Outstanding Graduates
Zhang Hua, from the Class of 2014 of the School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering and Automation, currently serves as Deputy Director of the Ninth Workshop of the Fourth Branch of China National Nuclear Corporation 404 Co., Ltd.The recipient of a national award for graduates employed at grassroots units spoke on behalf of the alumni. Reflecting on his seven-year journey at HQU, He shared his own career trajectory to encourage his juniors to always have a grateful heart, maintain a positive and down-to-earth attitude, and embrace learning as a lifelong pursuit.
Prof. Yang Li sha from the School of Economics and Finance is a provincial high-level talent, and Prof. Zhan Guowu from the School of Chemical Engineering the recipient of Science Fund Program for Distinguished Young Scholars of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Theydeliveredspeechesas teacher representatives.
Yang’s address focused on “slow”. She encouraged her audience to stay calm in the fast pace of information flow and develop “slow intuition”, so that they can make more responsible and insightful decisions through continuous learning, deep reflection, and practical applications.
Zhan shared his reflections drawn from everyday experiences and professional endeavors. In his speech he emphasized continuous learning, keeping up with the times, tracing roots to solve key problems, and learning to be grateful.
Law student Shen Shuoyi, also an outstanding Communist Youth League cadre of Quanzhou, and civil engineering student Lu Xiao qiang, a retired soldier deployed during the 2020 Sino Indian Galwan River Valley border conflict, gave speeches representing the graduate class. They gave a passionate account of their four years at the university, and expressed thankfulness for the university, their teachers and their peers. They wished each graduate would forge ahead and achieve success. They also led the graduation oath-taking.
Graduates Taking an Oath
The main guests of honor turn the tassel for graduates and grant them diplomas.
Staff from the accommodation, cafeteria, security, school health services and other service teams were invited to the ceremony as well. Their contributions were acknowledged and appreciated with flowers and thank-yous.
In the warm-up session, the university showcased graduation videos, electronic photo albums, and AI short videos specially created for the graduates. There are also other performances, a folk orchestra by the folk music ensemble of the College of Music and Dance, a medley of Chinese melodies by students from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and overseas Chinese students, a rendition of English and Thai songs by international students,a beloved Minnan folk song Ai Piah Cia Eh Yia (You have to fight to win) led by a newly-minted 77-year-old Indonesian Chinese doctor, and the grand choir Our Motherland Will Not Forget You... The touching music not only evoked memories of the beautiful campus life, but also expressed the spirit of progress and patriotic fervor cherished by HQU students.
Behind-the-Scenes Photos
(Editor: Wei Linying)