On June 28, 2025, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School (PKU Shenzhen) held the commencement ceremony for the Class of 2025. This year's graduating class comprised 1,170 students: 1,066 master's candidates, 104 doctoral candidates, and 86 degree recipients from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and other countries/regions. Nearly 500 family members of graduates were invited to witness the ceremony in person.

Commencement Ceremony Venue

Attending the event were Zhang Jin, Executive Vice President of Peking University and Dean of PKU Shenzhen; Tan Wenchang, Party Secretary of PKU Shenzhen; Vice Deans Wang Tianbing, Niu Hongwei, and Tian Yonghong; Deputy Party Secretaries An Xiaopeng, Qi Guowei, and Zou Yuexian; as well as distinguished alumni Liang Bing (Class of 2010, HSBC Business School EMBA Program), Chairman of CRCC Urban Development, and Dong Shaoling (Class of 2012, School of Transnational Law), Chairman of Tuzhan Intelligent Technology. Faculty representatives and leaders from each school also attended the ceremony. The event was hosted by Vice Dean Wang Tianbing.

University Leaders and Distinguished Guests

Hosted by Wang Tianbing

Before the formal proceedings began, students from Shenzhen School of The Affiliated High School of Peking University delivered special opening performances. The younger students brought vibrant energy to the stage with a musical performance titled Fly, Fly, Fly, while high school dancers showcased the beauty of ethnic harmony through a colorful piece, The Blooming Pomegranate Flower. They were followed by members of the PKU Shenzhen Student Arts Troupe, whose modern dance piece At Story’s End captured the essence of youth, and a group of top campus singers performed a medley of songs that ignited the crowd and brought the celebratory atmosphere to its peak.

Opening Performances

As the national anthem echoed through the hall, the ceremony officially began.

A short film titled Starting Again from Nanyan was then screened, reflecting the students’ years of dedication in the lab, joy and laughter in campus life, and perseverance in the face of challenges. These experiences have shaped them into confident and mature graduates ready to embark on their next journey. The video concluded with a heartfelt message: “May you carry your dreams with passion, and step forward with courage.”

Representing the graduating class, Xue Haoyu, a PhD graduate in Materials Physics and Chemistry from the School of Advanced Materials, shared his academic journey—from the initial uncertainty upon arriving at Nanyan, to the challenges of scientific research, to the eventual breakthroughs and publication of his work with the support of mentors and peers. He described his time at PKU as an odyssey of self-discovery and exploration. He encouraged fellow graduates to carry with them the PKU spirit of “pursuing excellence beyond boundaries” as they step into society and pursue infinite possibilities.

Speech by Xue Haoyu

Ebuka Nkenke, a graduating master’s student from the School of Transnational Law, spoke on behalf of the international graduates. He reflected on his enriching academic experience, cross-cultural friendships, and humorous challenges navigating life in a new language. Ebuka shared his aspiration to apply the knowledge and skills he gained at PKU Shenzhen to promote global understanding and harmony. He expressed his hopes to work together with friends from around the world to tackle shared challenges and shape a more peaceful and prosperous future.

Speech by Ebuka Nkenke

Professor Ma Linlin, tenured associate professor at the HSBC Business School, delivered a heartfelt message on behalf of the faculty. With the theme “See Yourself, Embrace Yourself, Believe in Yourself,” she urged graduates to remain true to their values, accept imperfection, and move forward with clarity and strength. She encouraged them to carry with them the idealism and critical thinking fostered at PKU, to shine not only outwardly, but also to care for themselves inwardly—and to let the light of PKU guide their way.

Speech by Ma Linlin

Alumnus Dong Shaoling offered a lively speech on entrepreneurship, centered around the theme “Youthful Spirit is a Non-Renewable Resource.” Sharing his journey from developing H5 projects in a dorm room to leading an industry enterprise, he emphasized the importance of curiosity and youthful ambition in the age of AI. Dong encouraged graduates to preserve that irreplaceable spark of youth, to explore like dreamers, create like innovators, and boldly push beyond comfort zones to become irreplaceable individuals who contribute unique value to the world.

Address by Dong Shaoling

Following the speeches, graduate representatives took the stage to present bouquets to faculty, counselors, class advisors, administrative staff, and support personnel in a heartfelt expression of gratitude for their guidance and care.

Flower Presentation Ceremony

Dean Zhang Jin extended warm congratulations to the Class of 2025, and heartfelt thanks to the faculty, families, and friends who supported the students throughout their journey. In his keynote address, titled Dialoguing with the World, Advancing Through Cooperation, he shared three messages for the graduates:

• Let shared values steer collaboration :Always prioritize national development and national rejuvenation as core aspirations in your professional pursuits. Unite minds and efforts to generate collective strength.

• Embrace cooperation with openness and inclusiveness: Seek diverse partnerships with an open heart and a global mindset. Respect cultural differences, and actively engage in high-potential collaborations.

• Leverage comparative advantages to drive innovation:Identify your strengths and seek complementary collaborations to spark creative breakthroughs.

  Zhang Jin encouraged graduates to stay aligned with the broader trends of human progress, believe in the power of cooperation, and, with greater vision, courage, and determination, join hands with like-minded peers to build lives worthy of PKU, of China, and of this era.

  

   Address by Zhang Jin

  Tan Wenchang then announced the official recognition of the 2025 Outstanding Graduates. Zhang Jin conferred degree certificates and presided over the symbolic tassel-turning ceremony for the award recipients and doctoral graduates. Leaders of each school read the names of master’s graduates, and Zhang Jin and Tan Wenchang jointly officiated the tassel-turning for master’s degree representatives.

  

  Zhang Jin Turning the Tassel and Presenting Certificates to Outstanding Graduates

  

  Zhang Jin Turning the Tassel for Doctoral Graduates

  

  Zhang Jin Turning the Tassel for Master’s Graduates

  The ceremony concluded with a chorus of the familiar and beloved campus song Yan Yuan Qing, sung together by students and faculty.

  As the graduates of Nanyan step into the future, may they shine like stars, illuminating their chosen fields with brilliance and purpose. May they apply their knowledge, contribute with wisdom, and carry the responsibility of PKU in their hearts. With dreams in their eyes and resolve in their stride, may they leave their mark across the land—writing new chapters for both the nation and the world.

  We wish each graduate the courage to chase the light, the strength to cross mountains and seas, and a future filled with promise.

  

 Chorus of “Yan Yuan Qing”