226 doctoral candidates and 2,457 master’s degree candidates obtain their degrees

On January 16, 2018, the Tianjin University 2018 Commencement Day for Postgraduate Students was held at the Gymnasium at Weijin Road Campus. 226 doctoral candidates and 2,457 master’s degree candidates, with caps and gowns, proudly came on stage one by one, and received their diplomas and degrees with great joy. University leaders, alumni and representatives of faculty were there to extend their sincere best wishes to the graduates.

About 3,000 people attended the event, including the university leaders, leaders of colleges and schools and from relevant offices and departments, faculty representatives, postgraduate students and their families.　

Tianjin University President, Zhong Denghua delivered a speech. In his speech, he stated: “Having pursued knowledge for years, today you are leaving here with high hopes and dreams. Everything you have experienced here will turn out to be the most precious memory.” On behalf of the University, he extended his warm congratulations and heartfelt thanks to all these graduates. He also encouraged them to be innovative and always keep pace with the times.

President Zhong made a profound interpretation of the concept of “newcomers of the new era”. “Newcomers are responsible and patriotic; they possess a down-to-earth and hardworking spirit; they strive to be innovative and hold a leading position in the world. Over the past 120 years, TJU people have always integrated their development into the great cause of national rejuvenation and development and social progress. He specifically mentioned the touching story of a TJU postgraduate student of the 2018 grade, Liu Chang, from the School of Precision Instrument and Optoelectronics Engineering, who donated her hematopoietic stem cells, which won warm applause from the participants.

Zhong expressed his best wishes to graduates. "You may encounter high mountains and steep cliffs in your life journey, but you should always brace your heroic spirits and march through this rugged and even dangerous road.” He hoped they could be “the newcomers of the new era”, braving the winds and waves, and dedicating their youth and strength to national advancement.

The alumnus of the 1989 grade, Ji Zezhou, Chief Engineer of CCCC First Harbor Consultants Co. Ltd., shared with the graduates his special thoughts on life and career: "No matter which field you will be engaged in, only by endless learning can you keep pace with the times and make your life more wonderful”. He also mentioned that a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation are on the way, some major technological innovations are creating new industries, and some emerging technologies like information technology, biotechnology, and new energy technologies are widely applied to various fields.

"Perhaps your work is not remarkable, but you must fulfill its duties; it is not necessarily impressive, but you must try your best to do it perfectly.” Ji hoped that graduates could focus on their work, stick to their dreams, and be earnest and down-to-earth. He also encouraged them to adhere to the team spirit, foster communication and collaborative abilities, and turn the impossible into the possible with a cross-discipline way of thinking.

Professor Li Keqiu, Dean of both TJU’s School of Computer Science and Technology and TJU’s School of Software, and winner of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, spoke on behalf of the supervisors. He said, “I hope you will always be strict with yourselves, maintain a desire for innovation and carry forward the great TJU spirit of continuous innovation and meticulous scholarship.” Li urged graduates to open their eyes and pay attention to research new frontiers. Moreover, he advised them to expand their circle of friends and learn from excellent people.

Li expressed his wish to the graduates. "I hope you can uphold TJU’s motto spirit of "Seeking Truth from Facts", make full use of your brain to serve and transform life with the power of science and knowledge so that the world will become more beautiful and happier!"

Tang Yinqi, a postgraduate majoring in environmental engineering from the School of Environmental Science and Engineering, delivered a speech on behalf of the graduates. She said she has witnessed the great changes of Tianjin University during her six-and-half years’ learning here. “Guided by the motto of ‘Seeking Truth from Facts’, influenced by the University spirit of rigorous academic scholarship and the tradition of patriotism and dedication, TJU people are making continuous achievements, such as the invention of the underwater glider “Petrel”, the development of C919 cockpit environment control system and synthesis of redesigned yeast chromosomes.”

“We are going to say goodbye to our alma mater and to each other. When we first came to the University, the new campus had just been built. Now we are leaving, these old buildings are quietly saying goodbye to us. We have witnessed the changes of the Peiyang Park Campus, and it also has witnessed our growth.” Tang firmly believed, “No matter where we are, being a ‘TJU-er’ is always a proud brand name for us. I hope we can always ’Seek Truth from Facts’ and inherit the great TJU spirit, and become true ‘TJU-ers’ with patriotic sentiment, global vision, innovative spirit and practical ability.”

Editors: Sun Xiaofang and Ross Colquhoun