On June 30, the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) held its Commencement and Degree Conferment 2023.

A total of 2,067 graduates dressed up in their graduation gowns and hats as they capped off this academic chapter in their lives and embarked on a new journey with high expectations and sincere blessings from their alma mater.

Hong JIANG, University Council Chairperson, Qikun XUE, President of SUSTech, members of the University’s leadership team, including Ling ZHANG, Wensheng YAO, Chun LU, Li JIN, Dongfeng GU, Jinfeng JIA, Qin YE, Siqi CHEN, Pengfei WANG, Mingzhao XING, deans of the various colleges, alumni representatives, etc. attended the ceremony.

Former University Council Chairpersons Ming LI and Yurong GUO, former President Shiyi CHEN, and other honored guests were also in attendance at the event.

The ceremony was presided over by Hongwei FANG, Vice President and Provost.

Before the ceremony commenced, some graduate students were invited to be the flag bearers of the six residential colleges and entered the venue with their respective flags aloft.

Chairperson Hong JIANG expressed her heartfelt congratulations to the class of 2023 for completing their studies and embarking on a new journey in their lives.

In her remarks, she acknowledged the selection of SUSTech’s Top Ten Undergraduates and Top Ten Graduates of 2023 and awards received by other students throughout the year.

She hoped that the newly graduated students would cherish this honor, uphold SUSTech’s motto spirit of “Virtue, Truth, Advance” in the next chapter of their lives, whether that be in further academic studies or the workplace, and continue to forge ahead and make new achievements.

Subsequently, Chairperson Hong JIANG and President Qikun XUE presented honors to the Top Ten Undergraduates and Top Ten Graduates of 2023.

Ziyi YIN, a graduate student of Shuli College, spoke on behalf of the undergraduate graduates. She expressed her appreciation to the University and all the faculty members, and shared her experiences and achievements while studying at SUSTech.

She said that her five years of study had improved her lifelong learning ability and taught her how to overcome difficulties more independently and resiliently. She noted that she would continue on her academic path by doing a postgraduate course in internal medicine, and maintain her original intention by pursuing her dream of a career in medicine.

Shibo ZHANG, a doctoral student from the Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, spoke on behalf of the postgraduate students. He spoke about his growth at SUSTech and shared how he built his scientific research confidence at SUSTech.

He said that SUSTech not only strengthened his belief in the pursuit of truth and perfection, but also strengthened his ambition to strive for innovation and self-improvement. Now, with the support of the University, they are industrializing his research results and promoting the localization and innovation of high-end surgical instruments.

Jiaqing HE, Associate Dean of the College of Science and Head of the Department of Physics, spoke on behalf of the University’s faculty members.

He shared his experience of educating people, using humorous and vivid language that allows students to break through the “ceiling” and not set up “barriers” for them. He encouraged the students to “stand upright, walk steadily, and go far”, broaden their horizons, dream big, and grasp any opportunities life offers them.

He sent a parting message to the students: “I hope that those who are about to embark on the next journey in their lives can remember that you are the creators and witnesses of the history of SUSTech; I hope that those who are about to travel far and wide remember that SUSTech will always be your home and harbor”.

In his speech at the ceremony, President Qikun XUE recalled memories with the class of 2023. He noted how the students overcame various difficulties brought about by the epidemic, successfully completing their studies, and witnessed SUSTech’s selection as a “Double First-Class” university.

This year, the first batch of 127 doctoral students from SUSTech graduated, marking the University’s historic progress in the cultivation of high-level talents. It also welcomed 27 first-class undergraduate graduates of clinical medicine, further consolidating the talent training of the University’s medical discipline.

President XUE listed several examples of outstanding graduate representatives, noting, “You have practiced, enriched the spiritual connotation of the University’s motto of “Virtue, Truth, Advance”.

“You have forged ahead with high spirits, and no matter how difficult the situation is, as long as you have a firm belief, self-improvement, and unwavering self-confidence and hard work, you will be able to overcome many difficulties, surpass the limitations of the times, and reach the other side. As your president, I am immensely proud of you, and I commend you for your confidence, determination, courage, and endeavor,” he added.

He noted that today was the end of their journey in this chapter of their lives, and it is also the prelude to their new journey. He placed “three hopes” on the graduates who are about to embark on their new journey: “I hope that you will establish lofty ideals, be calm and determined, and grow as a confident character; enhance your skillset, continue to study, and lay a solid foundation in life; devote yourself to the development of the country”.

President XUE finished by saying this is a time of uncertainty but also a time of hope. I hope you will have faith in your hearts, set sail with determination, and chase your youthful dreams.

The degree conferment was held afterward as Provost Hongwei FANG announced the decision of the Degree Evaluation Committee. Graduates from the College of Science, College of Engineering, School of Life Sciences, School of Medicine, College of Business, School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, etc., took the stage in turns as the University’s leadership and academicians presented award degree certificates to the students.

Before and after the ceremony, the big screen at the event displayed some short graduation films produced by the Alumni Association, the Youth League Committee, and the Office of Communications & Public Relations.

The Wink Dance Club performed the dance “Boca”, while other students sang a graduation theme song together.