Tsinghua University held its commencement ceremony for the undergraduate class of 2022 on June 25.

During the ceremony, the University awarded bachelor’s degrees to 3,541 undergraduates. Likewise, 511 undergraduate students were awarded second bachelor’s degrees and 46 undergraduate students were awarded minor bachelor’s degrees.

Qiu Yong, Chairperson of the University Council, announced the list of the titles awarded, of which 10 classes were awarded the title of “exemplary classes,” 73 undergraduate students were awarded the title of “outstanding undergraduates,” and 368 undergraduate students were awarded the title of “excellent undergraduates.”

Tsinghua University President Wang Xiqin delivered a speech during the ceremony, extending his warmest congratulations to all the undergraduates.

He urged the students to forge ahead with determination toward the great rejuvenation of the nation and the goal of building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Reminding the students that the journey forward will never be smooth sailing, he said that the Tsinghua people’s path in life must be a self-confident and self-believing journey with no fear of storms but constantly forging ahead.

“You have overcome the difficulties, completed all your undergraduate studies, and made personal progress as well. You were the young volunteers in the fight against the pandemic. You were the amiable volunteers for the Winter Olympics, and you were showing the world the sincerity and friendliness of Chinese youth,” he said. “You are a generation that moves forward with the new era and also a generation that looks at the world on an equal footing. I am very pleased to see your confidence on the world stage. This is the embodiment of the national confidence in Chinese youth.”

He said he hoped that the undergraduate class of 2022 would uphold the University’s motto of self-discipline and social commitment in their journey forward and strive to become a new generation worthy of our great times.

“Fellow graduates, I believe you are ready. I wish you the best in your race and I look forward to your contribution to the brighter future of our nation and the entire mankind. I wish you all a happy graduation,” he concluded.

Shapaketi wushouer, a 2002 class alumnus of the Department of Precision Instrument and the deputy commissioner of the Xinjiang Aksu Regional Administration, delivered a video speech as an alumni representative and congratulated the undergraduate class of 2022 for their accomplishments.

He shared his experiences working in Xinjiang after graduating from Tsinghua while encouraging the undergraduates to shoulder social responsibility and contribute to the realization of the great rejuvenation of the nation.

He said he believed that the Tsinghua undergraduates would bring their talents and capacities into full play and live up to the high expectations of the times and the people.

Bai Yuzhuo, who graduated from the Department of Computer Science and Technology, delivered a commencement speech on behalf of the undergraduate students of the class of 2022. She reviewed her time at Tsinghua and said that exploration should be one’s life-long pursuit.

“Facing the future, we should find our own rhythm in our exploration and be closely connected with our country and our times,” she added.

In concluding her remarks, she urged her fellow undergraduates to forge ahead with boldness and courage. Bai will pursue a doctoral degree after graduation.

Wearing caps and gowns, Tsinghua undergraduate seniors gathered at the main commencement ceremony venue outside the Tsinghua Auditorium, and nine other outdoor viewing points on campus, to watch their commencement ceremony and receive their hard-earned degrees while maintaining physical safety standards.

The ceremony was also streamed live in both Chinese and English so that graduating students who were unable to return to the University, and their families and friends, as well as Tsinghua alumni, could watch it virtually. The University has offered the graduating students the opportunity to return to the University to participate in a future degree conferment ceremony.

The ceremony adopted a hybrid online and offline format to adhere to health and safety measures in response to Covid-19.

Peng Gang, Vice President of Tsinghua University, presided over the ceremony.

Writer: Sangeet

Editors: Guo Lili, John Olbrich

Photos: Li Pai, Xu Degang, Zhang Xiaoyu, Jia Guihao, Huo Yuandong, Yang Yuhan, Xin Qi, Lin Baiyu