On July 3, 2026, the 2026 Postgraduate Commencement Ceremony and Degree Conferral of the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) was held at Runyang Stadium. A total of 1,722 graduate students completed their studies and embarked on a new chapter of life.

The University Council Chairperson of SUSTech, Hong JIANG, and President of SUSTech Qikun XUE, along with university leaders Ling ZHANG, Wensheng YAO, Hongwei FANG, Li JIN, and Xiaodong HAN, Academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences Xueming YANG, Shuhong YU, Xiaofei CHEN, Haiping XIA, deans of various colleges, representatives of SUSTech’s Degree Evaluation Committee, heads of various residential colleges, departments, and alumni representatives attended the event. Graduates’ families and friends participated at the same time either by attending in person or watching the live video stream. The ceremony was hosted by Vice President and Provost, Hongwei FANG.

At 9 a.m., the ceremony officially began with the solemn national anthem.

Hong JIANG announced the Decision on Commending the “Top Ten Graduating Postgraduates,” “Outstanding Graduating Postgraduates,” and Individual Honor Awards for Postgraduates of 2026. Following graduate applications, recommendations by supervisors, and evaluations by the university, Zihao NIE, Renjie LIU, Song WANG, Jiaxuan LI, Zining CHEN, Hongfeng LIU, Jingming CHEN, Jiawen ZHANG, Wenchao LIU, and Zhen DING were awarded the 2026 “Top Ten Graduating Postgraduates” honor. Xinyu CHEN and 496 other students were named 2026 “Outstanding Graduating Postgraduates.” Hong JIANG and Qikun XUE presented the awards to the “Top Ten Graduating Postgraduates.”

Wenchao LIU, a PhD graduate in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the College of Engineering, gave a speech on behalf of the graduating postgraduates. He said that scientific research is naturally a process of “repeated failures and occasional successes,” and only by enduring solitude can one witness the blooming of achievement. Excellence has no single definition. It lies in dedicated work in the lab, and in giving back to the campus and passing on what you’ve learned. Independent study can refine skills, and collective effort can go far. It’s the warmth and vision of SUSTech that ensure the flame of research keeps burning across generations. He encouraged underclassmen to always maintain the courage to explore the unknown, stick to the original spirit of seeking truth and being pragmatic, integrate personal academic ambitions into the national pursuit of high-level scientific and technological self-reliance, and to go toward mountains and seas with hard work, reaching distant goals with steady action.

Jiyong TAN, a PhD alumnus in Robotics Engineering from the Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, spoke on behalf of the alumni. He currently works at the University of Electronic Science and Technology of China and serves as the Director of the Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Intelligent Systems and the Director of the Guangdong Disabled Persons’ Federation Co-built Technology Innovation Center for Disabled. He shared three insights based on his experience from being a student to returning to teach at his alma mater. First, “to embrace lifelong learning, break boundaries, and never set limits on themselves. Graduation is not the end of education, but rather a new starting point for continuous growth and striving. Second, to champion “Tech for Good,” ensuring that technology is not only powerful, but compassionate. Technological innovation must go beyond precision and efficiency, it must possess humanity and a sense of social responsibility. And third, to stay true to their original aspirations, embrace collaboration, and achieve excellence through absolute focus. He reminded them to hold fast to their core values, learn to make wise choices, dedicate themselves fully to what they love, and pursue it without distraction. In his closing words, he expressed his hope that the students will carry forward the core spirit of SUSTech. By dedicating themselves to their careers, empowering society with compassion, and rising to the responsibilities of our times, they will carve out a brilliant and glorious path uniquely their own as SUSTechers.

Associate Professor Yue ZHAO from the Physics Department spoke on behalf of the postgraduate supervisors. Drawing from her own research experience, she shared three reflections with the graduates. First, trust yourself in making choices and pursue what you love with dedication. The so-called “better path” is often about committing to what you love after making a choice. Second, stay curious and patient, and find your place in the vast world. It’s important to dive deep into scientific research while also nurturing teamwork skills. Third, cherish your peers and light each other’s way. Be grateful for those who illuminate your path, and strive to be a light for others. She wished the graduates to uphold the spirit of SUSTech, holding onto their passions in their choices, staying curious in their explorations, and supporting each other along the journey.

Qikun XUE delivered his graduation speech titled “Bravely Climbing the Heights of the Era, Embracing a Magnificent Life.” He stated that every generation has its own unique opportunities. During their years at SUSTech, the students have resonated with the pulse of the nation, advanced alongside this city of innovation, and forged ahead in unison with an ever-striving SUSTech. He noted that the graduates have witnessed the deepening development of Shenzhen as a Pilot Demonstration Area and its continuously rising global influence. The 2026 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting will be held in this “City of Miracles,” serving as the most vivid testament to this progress. Your youth has always shone with the glory of this city!

Qikun XUE stated that during their time on campus, the students upheld the motto of “Virtue, Truth, Advance.” They grew through hard work and forged their steel through self-improvement. In the laboratory, they focused on breakthroughs, from ambient-pressure superconductivity to quantum information exploration, from metamaterial mechanism innovations to core electronic device breakthroughs, fully showcasing the academic brilliance of young people from SUSTech.

“In social practice, you have led by example. At the 15^th National Games and the Special Games for Persons with Disabilities, more than 800 “Little Dolphin” volunteers from the SUSTech gave flawless service and delivered perfect volunteer results. Some students also voluntarily chose to go to grassroots work in western China after graduation, “forging your skills in the Special Economic Zone and shouldering your responsibilities in the hinterlands,” and making contributions where the country needs them most. The depth of research, the warmth of service, and the depth of dedication have gathered in you into a mighty force of youth, injecting endless youthful energy into our equally youthful and energetic alma mater. Through your actions, you have proven that SUSTech students possess both sky-high aspirations and down-to-earth capabilities! “Life is like climbing a peak. At this moment, your journey to study at SUSTech has reached one summit, and the range unfolds before you, a magnificent scroll of towering peaks.”

Qikun XUE put forward three expectations to all graduates. First, to care deeply for the country and stay focused on the direction forward. The path of climbing is primarily about identifying the direction. Only by using the needs of the people as the warp, the hopes of the people as the weft, and love of the people as the compass that never wavers, can one remain unconfused, fearless, and unregretful amid the many choices you will face.

Second, keep moving forward, pioneering new horizons. Once the direction is set, the key lies in action and persistence. Clouds and mist may blur the eyes, and steep slopes may slow you. The more you are tested, the more your character and resilience can be proven. The wisdom lies in knowing how to use “balance in progress.” There is no need to demand that every step be perfectly accurate. As long as you keep moving forward, you can continuously break through new realms even in apparent dead ends. Major breakthroughs that change the world all stem from tracing the origins, relentless trial and error, and long-term dedication. No matter how high the mountain, if you climb upward, you will eventually reach the summit. No matter how long the road is, if you keep going, you will surely reach your destination. I hope you will proactively step into the “uncharted territory” of innovation, embrace the unknown “uncertainties” with full confidence and consciousness, and uphold the wisdom of “finding balance in progress” with steadfast perseverance. Keep moving forward on the path you have decided.”

Third, embrace sincerity and take in the full spectacle of life. The mountains are high, and the roads are long and difficult; only passion can overcome all difficulties. A person’s original intention and sincerity are the spiritual driving force supporting great undertakings. Currently, AI technology is developing rapidly, capable of replicating expressions and assisting research, yet it cannot calculate a person’s genuine passion, nor can it replace each person’s unique value. In an era where information is readily available, “what is truly scarce is knowing what you want.”

He hopes that students will always maintain pure sincerity and inward perseverance, and at their own moment of reaching the top, they can fully embrace a unique life scene. Qikun XUE stated that the students are about to embark on their own journeys across the vast mountains and seas. Born in the great era of national rejuvenation and on the grand journey of Chinese-style modernization, “I hope students will have direction in their hearts, a path beneath their feet, and light in their eyes, making progress step by step, bravely climbing the peaks of the times, and embracing a magnificent life!”

The graduation ceremony concluded successfully amid the stirring melody of all faculty and students singing “Ode to the Motherland.”

After that, the degree conferral ceremony was held. Hongwei FANG read out the resolution of the degree evaluation committee. Graduates from each college went on stage one by one, where university leaders and faculty members solemnly turned their tassels and conferred their degrees.

At the ceremony, heartwarming graduation short films were shown on the large screen.. The Zhiren Folk Band performed “Horse Racing,” the Wink Dance Club wowed everyone with their energetic dance performance “SHOOTING STAR,” the international students and graduates sang “Stars and the Sea” together, and the College of Engineering Choir performed “Tomorrow Will Be Better” and “My Motherland and I,” vividly showcasing the youthful spirit of SUSTech students.