President Tang, Distinguished Guests, Professors, Graduates, proud parents, ladies and gentlemen,
Good Morning! I am honoured to be with you today to celebrate the UIC’s 14th Graduation. Thanks to President Tang and all of you for this wonderful experience, and I must say that the performance led by students gave us all great pleasure to begin with today’s ceremony. It’s really a good demonstration of students’ talents, staff’s hard work, and UIC’s excellence in Liberal Arts Education.
I want to congratulate you all with my sincere wishes! You studied hard and played hard during the last four years, and you have earned your bachelor’s degrees! “Bachelor” in English means a single person, who needs to face the real world! But please remember, you are not really single, you are not alone at all, as you carry a UIC’s degree. UIC is behind you, and the whole UIC community is always with you! And We, as family members of UIC, are fully behind you too!
UIC is a very special and unique institution and you are very special and privileged. You are one of the many well-rounded global talents and innovative thinkers nurtured by UIC for the new age. Located in the Greater Bay Area and being the first full-scale integrated institution in higher education between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, UIC has a vibrant culture connecting the East to the West that allows you to enjoy both national and international educations, shape your global visions and mindsets and provide you with greater opportunities in today’s changing world.
This pandemic is unprecedented. I believe you all have persisted through a time of extraordinary challenge. That was not an easy life and not what we wanted. Fortunately, you have overcome all tough problems and you graduated today! Congratulations! UIC is renowned for Liberal Arts Education and has been setting a very fine example in China to promote “whole person” excellence. UIC not only provides you with a unique learning experience but also empowers you with courage, creativity, resilience, and empathy. Together, this is a powerful collection of honourable traits which will make you stand out from the crowd and let you thrive in an unpredictable world. While there are lots of uncertainties in today’s world and in your future life, being a UIC graduate - a “whole person”, these qualities give you more certainty and confidence to explore new paths and chase your dreams.
Commencement means new beginning and today marks the start of a new chapter in your life, as you prepare to embark on the next stage of your journey. You still need to study, but more to build, to conquer, and to create. You will build your career, and build your family based on your profound achievements obtained from here. On the way, you will have a lot to conquer - conquer your own weaknesses, conquer the harsh reality, and sometimes conquer the fear of the height - you only get as high as you dare to desire for. Being UIC graduates, you will have to create - create a better life for yourself, more importantly, create innovative ideas, and create cutting-edge technologies, so you can change the world beyond your own, you can improve the lives of those who are not as fortunate as you are. I’m excited about the prospects that await you after you walk out of the gate of UIC, and how you go beyond boundaries with unlimited potential!
Now, I would like to share a story about a college friend, whom I regarded as role model. He is an intelligent, young, and handsome man whom you are familiar with. This man got his bachelor’s degree from Peking University, followed by a Ph.D. in the UK. He rose quickly from a tenured Professor in Canada, to a Department Head, a Faculty Dean, and an Associate Vice-President in Hong Kong Baptist University. After that, it was my good fortune this fine man joined me at SUSTech as a Vice-President and then the Provost. He also became a distinguished Chinese national academician. Now he is the President of a famous educational institution. I think you know who he is! Yes! It’s my dear and the most respected friend -- President Tang Tao! President Tang Tao is persistent in academic excellence and his dedication to Chinese higher education impressed me very much. And that helps him achieve every success in the path.
Dear Graduates，you are young, lucky, smart, and hardworking. You live in a wonderful time that presents many great opportunities. With the UIC degree in your hands, I wish many of you could be as successful as President Tang Tao. And I would be extremely happy to be invited to your institutions or companies to give speeches in the not so-distant future.
Congratulations again! Thank you!
