The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen held its Graduation Ceremony for Bachelor's Degree Graduates 2023 on the morning of May 20, amidst the Central Boulevard's grandeur. Notable attendees were President Xu Yangsheng, university dignitaries, and faculty members, all present to honor this momentous turning point for the graduates. Enlightening keynote speeches were imparted by Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-Chancellor and President of CUHK, and Chairman of the Governing Board of CUHK-Shenzhen, 2000 Nobel Laureate in Economics Professor James Heckman, and Dr. Ronnie C. Chan, Chair of Hang Lung Properties Limited. They extended heartfelt congratulations and bestowed their wisdom upon students teetering on the edge of their new, expansive world. Also celebrating the Class of 2023 were their proud families and friends nationwide, alumni who couldn't attend previous ceremonies due to the pandemic, distant international students and their families, and esteemed guests from various societal sectors.

Before the ceremony, a medley of videos encapsulating the graduates' odyssey was viewed by the attendees. This included "Focus", "Us", "Graduation Blessings", and the emotive "Let the Future Begin," a graduation song ingeniously self-produced by the class of 2023. This reminiscent trip down memory lane served as a testament to the unforgettable experiences and friendships cemented over their years at CUHK-Shenzhen.

To honor the commitment and achievements of exceptional students, Professor Yangsheng Xu presented the Presidential Awards for Outstanding Students to 13 graduating seniors, who have all displayed extraordinary performance, demonstrated leadership skills, and contributed significantly to the University's growth and development. The recipient list is as follows: Yuanqi Wang (School of Management and Economics, Harmonia College), Boyu Yang (Fi nancial Engineering, Diligentia College), Qi Feng (School of Management and Economics, Harmonia College), CELINE NADYA GUNAWAN (International student from Indonesia, School of Management and Economics, Muse College),  Xinchen Zhou (School of Management and Economics, Shaw College), Yuehan Chen (School of Management and Economics, Shaw College), Yuqin Ke (School of Management and Economics, Shaw College),  Sitong Liu (School of Data Science, Shaw College), Hao Zhu (School of Data Science, Shaw College), Haixiang Zhu (School of Science and Engineering, Diligentia College), Dongze Wu (School of Science and Engineering, Harmonia College), Chen Lu(School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Muse College), Kexin Fan (School of Medicine, Harmonia College).

As of April's end, a significant 85% of the 2023 graduates plan to further their studies by pursuing master's or doctoral degrees. Many have already secured spots in globally prestigious institutions, including University of Cambridge, Stanford University, University of Oxford, Harvard University, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Imperial College London, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich), Yale University, Columbia University, Baruch College, Peking University, and Tsinghua University. The remaining 15% of the graduates are stepping directly into the workforce, having secured offers from leading companies such as Huawei, ByteDance, Alibaba, Boston Consulting, Bain & Company, and Procter & Gamble.

Professor Yangsheng Xu: Constructing the Beacon of Conviction to Illuminate the Journey of Self-Exploration

With the pandemic behind us, Professor Yangsheng Xu, President of the University, is elated to be hosting the first post-covid graduation ceremony on campus. He ignited his speech by drawing from pandemic-fueled reflections on the theme of "cohabitation with the virus" and subsequently broached the complex subject of dealing with immutable dissatisfaction. "Three and a half years into this crisis, we have not yet vanquished the coronavirus, but we've identified strategies to coexist with it. Life's trials and tribulations rarely vanish completely, but we can arm ourselves with knowledge, perspective shifts, and new skills to emerge stronger, more resilient, all while cultivating a readiness for lifelong learning and adaptation," he noted.

Moving forward, Professor Xu urged graduates to perceive their life journey as an ongoing process of self-discovery. "We chart our course step by step. Each summit reached prompts us to ask: where is the next peak? These summits metaphorically represent the person you aspire to become. Your convictions serve as a lighthouse, illuminating your path ahead. Life is a process, and its quality is largely contingent on your pursuit of excellence. Don’t ever abandon this quest, for it is here that your life's potential lies boundless."

With CUHK-Shenzhen's tenth anniversary on the horizon, Professor Xu reflected with deep emotion: "Nine years ago, this place was little more than barren land interspersed with abandoned factories. Today, our proudest achievement is having nurtured an outstanding generation of students — you are the University's greatest pride! Regardless of where life takes you, whether you find success or face failure, riches or poverty, fame or obscurity, as long as you maintain sincerity and kindness, you will always make us proud. This university has launched you into the world, and you, in turn, have launched it onto the global stage. As we anticipate celebrating our university’s tenth anniversary on March 21st next year, I urge each of you, no matter where on earth you may be, to join us in commemorating our collective journey and achievements. I will be here, in Longgang, Shenzhen, awaiting your return home."

Professor Rocky S. Tuan: Embrace Global Challenges, Become Future Leaders Endowed with Social Responsibility

Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Chairman of the Governing Board of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and Vice-Chancellor and President of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, implored graduates to honor the time-honored traditions of CUHK in his address. He inspired the students to be bold leaders of the future, willing to bear social responsibility, and to apply the knowledge gained at the University to address the shared destiny of human society. "Complex geopolitical issues, poverty and injustice in disparate regions, and the all-too-tangible climate crisis are urgent global challenges that require our collective efforts. As individuals with the privilege of higher education, we also bear a responsibility," he expressed. At the end of his speech, Tuan urged students to perpetuate CUHK's ethos of excellence, exerting a greater influence and effecting positive change in society.

Nobel Laureate James Heckman: Addressing the Challenges of Social Development

James Heckman, winner of the 2000 Nobel Prize in Economics, lauded China's development achievements in his address. He recognized the rapid growth of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen over a few short years and expressed his excitement to join the eminent research teams here to study a slew of challenges facing China and the world in the realms of economics and artificial intelligence. Heckman emphasized the critical role of academic elites and talented individuals in driving societal development, encouraging graduates to innovate within their respective fields and contribute significantly.

Guiding the graduates, Professor Heckman probed, "What challenges are you prepared to meet as you leave this university?" His research team will focus on studying policies that China currently employs to close the urban-rural divide, along with the exploration of child development and education springing from this. He stated, "Well, you have a distinguished AI group and other groups as well. Why I come here is that I hope to learn from you, and many others plan to learn from you as well and benefit from your knowledge. And there's a larger problem that you're going to face as you leave this university and go out into the world". Moreover, he highlighted the broader challenges our graduates will encounter as they transition from a university devoted to cutting-edge scientific development to the broader society. He encouraged the graduates to take pride in their future contributions and support to the nation and its people. He also urged them to closely monitor fields that will profoundly impact human societal development and contemplate ways to engage in them.

Dr. Ronnie C. Chan: Comprehend History and the World, Reject Mediocrity, and Pursue Excellence

In his address, Dr. Ronnie C. Chan, Chair of Hang Lung Properties Limited, sparked reflections among the graduates about confronting the uncertainties of their future careers spanning four decades in a rapidly changing world. Against this backdrop, he proffered three pieces of advice: understand history, comprehend the contemporary world and geopolitics, and shun mediocrity. "You did not come to The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen because it is a mediocre university. You are here because this is an excellent university. So never learn from the mediocre, but rather do your best in your life to look for the best," he stressed.

Dr. Chan urged students to diligently study history, but not be ensnared by it. "So learn from history and learn from the geopolitics of today, however, please do not get stuck in history. Because the world is changing too fast. If you are not mentally agile enough to change with the time, to change with the technology, to change with the political situation of the day, you will be left behind. You have to be in today's world very adaptable. It is no longer just how good you are in doing a particular thing. It is how fast, with what ease, to learn new things." Additionally, he highlighted the importance of having a cultural or civilizational "anchor". "I, as a Chinese, am grateful for our deep cultural anchor. However, we should not only dwell on our existing cultural basis; we need to remain open to learning from other cultures. You all have cultural roots. Cherish them and, upon this foundation, become a global citizen. Understanding the world and others will add more beauty and vibrance to your life," said the Chair. 

Bachelor's Degree Graduate Representative Ke Yuqin: Embracing Social Responsibilities of New Era to Actualize Self-Worth in Real-World Practices

Yuqin Ke, a graduate from the School of Management and Economics and Shaw College, spoke on behalf of her class during the ceremony. She touched on the rich experiences they had shared, from discovering personal growth within the supportive and inclusive environment of CUHK-Shenzhen to exploring the world beyond. "When we were in confusion, exploring what our lives were for, CUHK-Shenzhen’s embracing culture warmly sheltered us. It provided various resources and opportunities, directing us to the bottom of our hearts," Ke articulated. "Our journey at CUHK-Shenzhen has ingrained in us a sense of humility and diligence. We've learned to embrace the world with an open heart, and to honor the ideal of ‘combining tradition with modernity, and bringing together China and the West’. Moreover, we've been inspired to engage in introspection, to discern our individual purposes and values. Our university motto, "Through Learning and Temperance to Virtue," is not just a formal statement, but a beacon that guides our way in life," she continued. 

In conclusion, she stated, "As we step beyond the familiar confines of this campus today, we carry a deep sense of gratitude for our alma mater, proudly bearing the title of 'CUHK-Shenzhen Undergraduate Class of 2023'. Tomorrow, we will take up the social responsibilities of the new generation, resolute to realize our values and let our voices resonate in every corner of the world. Every one of our achievements will further illuminate the distinguished legacy of CUHK-Shenzhen."