初心不忘，迎风起航
尊敬的各位来宾，亲爱的同学们、同事们：
欢迎大家参加best365网页版登录第十三届毕业典礼。今天我们很荣幸地邀请到北京大学汇丰商学院院长海闻教授为我们演讲，希望同学们能从他的人生智慧中得到启迪。我谨代表UIC全体师生，感谢海闻教授！
看到同学们一张张充满喜悦的脸庞，我的内心和你们一样激动。今年也是我们第一次为硕士和博士研究生举办毕业典礼。同学们通过不懈努力，在UIC顺利完成学业。在此，让我们向2021届所有毕业生表示最热烈的祝贺和最美好的祝愿！
同学们，疫情阴霾未散，在各个国家此起彼伏，变幻莫测。经济会如何发展，教育会有什么变化，人类社会走向何方，未来充满了不确定性。此时，世界上很多大学还只能举行线上毕业典礼，师生隔着屏幕相见。今天你们能坐在一起，和师长一起庆祝，这是非常幸运的。但你们的幸运并不是理所当然的。在你们身后，有无数甘于奉献的医护人员、科研工作者、基层工作者和志愿者，为我们的稳定生活保驾护航，这也是我们中国人创造的伟大奇迹。
这样的特殊时期，更显你们的成就来之不易。你们深度体验了网络教育，接触过线上线下结合的授课模式，你们和屏幕的另一端开展各种各样的交流和活动。这些经历让你们的人生体验与众不同。你们应该为自己感到骄傲！但也请同学们不要忘记，你们的每一项成就，除了自身的努力之外，都离不开老师的悉心教导、家长的无私关爱和同学朋友的热心帮助。你们的老师不仅在课堂上传授知识，启发你们思考，在课外也不知疲倦地给你们提供大大小小的人生建议，帮助你们成长。所以，请你们和我一起，用最诚挚的掌声向你们的老师、父母和朋友们，表示最衷心的感谢！
作为你们的校长，我也感谢你们选择了UIC，选择了博雅教育，谢谢你们一直支持、信任和热爱这所特别的大学。你们将朝气和勤勉播撒在校园的各个角落，在学业、研究、社会实践等方方面面取得优良成绩，你们的收获就是学校的收获。你们是UIC博雅教育的根本，是我们一切教育活动的中心。UIC的博雅教育一方面为你们的个人成长和事业发展打下坚实的基础，另一方面助你们深谙本土、放眼世界。无论你们走得多远，我们始终不忘继续培养学子成才，这是我们博雅教育的初心，是我们用心奋斗的目标，也是我们服务社会的使命。
同学们，你们很快就要转变身份，变成校友，你们的肩上又会多一重责任。你们要让博雅教育的火种拓展。同时，也希望你们继续和你们的老师、学弟学妹保持联络，关注母校的发展，我们携手共建一流的博雅大学，共享甜美的教育果实。
在成长的路上，学校也进入了发展的新时代。二期校园在上个月奠基，已经动工建设，在不远的将来，我们会看到新的宿舍楼、教学楼、科研楼拔地而起。大家可能听说过常春藤联盟达特茅斯学院，一所有250年历史的名校，它小而精，本科推行博雅教育，同时有强大的科研和研究生教育支撑。这是博雅大学的标杆。未来，UIC的两期校园分别侧重人文与商科、科技与研究，我们会进一步完善学科建设，让博雅教育的拼图更加完整。再过几年，你们会看到一个更具规模的UIC，师生在校园的古树间穿梭，在具有时代气息的建筑里研习，在浪漫的湖畔休息畅谈。我们会充分利用新的办学空间，大力引进全球优秀师资，让同学们受益于师长的言传身教，成为更有智慧和道德、拥有健康体魄、能欣赏生活之美的“全人”。
刚才提到的达特茅斯学院，位于新罕布什尔州汉诺威镇，它和当地的历史建筑、经济和文化巧妙结合。我们UIC所在的珠海唐家湾，也是颇具历史意义的地方。珠海是中国近代出国留学的发祥地，当时留学最为集中的地方就是唐家湾，对西学东渐和中国近代化有很大影响力。今天的唐家湾依然秉承敢为人先的精神，积极引进高等学府，大力推进创新创业。作为现代高等教育的创新实践者，UIC落户于唐家湾是历史巧合，也是机遇。我们会朝着建设百年校园的目标努力，与周边的古村和小镇深度融合，打造富有历史文化底蕴、兼具科技时尚感的大学小镇。
青春是最有潜力和活力的年纪，此时此刻，你们内心激荡着对未来的无限憧憬。值得一提的是，你们这一代人正在见证历史的车辙，经历百年未有之大变局。人生漫漫，科技发展一日千里，你们要学会自我鞭策，不断探索未知，养成终身学习的习惯，做一个热爱思考、敢于创新的人。无论你们选择深造、就业、创业还是投身公益事业，我希望你们既能着眼于身边，也能看到更大的格局，关心人类共同的命运，做个勇于担当的人。
“大鹏一日同风起，扶摇直上九万里。”祝愿各位毕业生像探测火星的“祝融号”，厚积薄发，朝向未来的人生稳步前进。同学们，今天你们就要迎风起航，做这个时代的主人。母校会一直关注、支持你们。常回来看看。祝你们健康、幸福、成功！谢谢！
Prof Hai Wen, distinguished guests, colleagues, parents and graduates,
What a year it has been! For a year and a half, we have been battling Covid-19 tooth and nail. I must begin by thanking all our staff for putting in endless hours of hard work to see that our people are safe and sound. In doing so, they have united the entire college behind their efforts. How about a loud round of applause for our heroes?
Covid aside, UIC has done well for itself. We have been able to teach our students face-to-face. Our innovation in teaching and research is going at full steam, our graduate education programmes are in place, and work on the second phase of our beautiful campus is on the front burner. Covid has not slowed us down at all. At UIC progress is unstoppable.
Today is your day to receive your diploma. This day doesn’t come easy for you, against all the difficulties that Covid brings. Your teachers and parents, are celebrating this success with you. You deserve a big round of applause too.
Today, you leave behind all thoughts of examinations and GPA’s. Today you begin a new stage in your life, full of opportunities and uncertainties. You can forget about your GPA’s but I hope you will carry with you the best that a liberal arts education has to offer.
What is the essence of a liberal arts education?
For one thing, it is supposed to liberate your thinking, and broaden your horizons, so that you can address human problems critically and creatively. That is why Steve Jobs said that even in the age of technology, technology itself is not enough. It must be married with liberal arts.
Liberal arts education entails life-long education. No doubt, you have heard this term many times before. But in the 21st century, you cannot get very far without it—in fact your job security and advancement may depend it on, as well as your personal progress. If you cease to learn after four years at UIC, you have misunderstood the meaning of education.
Education is to prepare you for life, not just to help you make a living.
Life-long learning is inseparable from human progress. You will never fall behind. Just look at our guest of honour, Professor Hai Wen. He has publicly said that he will still be lecturing from the podium at age 80. He is a role model for our liberal arts graduates, because he lives a life of active learning and continuous self-growth.
Don’t be afraid to dream big. After all, China is a big country and offers big opportunities. As UIC graduates you have the benefit of both a national and international education, with your Chinese roots and your global vision. With this bifocal vision, you can spot opportunities better than anyone. You are young and can afford to take risks and go where your parents or predecessors have never gone before.
Life is full of surprises. Thirty or forty years from now, I wonder which one of you will be living out your dreams. Whether you will be among UIC’s future success stories is another matter. What matters is that you have given it your all. You have lived your life to its outer limit.
Don’t be defined by your GPA. I believe you are all better than what your GPA suggests. I believe if you embrace a life of adventure and tap the possibilities, there is no telling how far you can go and how high you can climb.
Congratulations for being part of this beautiful day and beautiful generation.
Thank you.
