Tianjin University Hosts 2025 Undergraduate Commencement Ceremony

On July 5, Tianjin University (TJU) held its 2025 Undergraduate Commencement and Degree Conferral Ceremony at the Weijin Road Campus Gymnasium, celebrating the academic achievements of 4,680 graduating students. University leaders, faculty members, families, and friends gathered to witness this important milestone.

The ceremony opened with the national anthem, followed by an address from He Fang, Director of the Academic Affairs Office, who read the official resolution from the university’s Academic Degree Evaluation Committee. He Fang congratulated all undergraduates who had successfully completed their studies and were now preparing for future endeavors in careers or further education.

Li Xuanxuan, a Malaysian student from the School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology, shared her journey at Tianjin University. “I first arrived in China in September 2022 and stepped onto the campus of the first modern university in the country. Thanks to the dedicated guidance of my professors and the warmth of my classmates, my experience has been both fulfilling and unforgettable,” she said. Li was recently admitted to a direct Ph.D. program at Tsinghua University. She also recalled her participation in a letter written by Malaysian students to President Xi Jinping, and her involvement in a public health outreach program in rural China. “In the future, I hope to become an ambassador for traditional Chinese medicine and help deepen China-Malaysia collaboration in this field.”

Sun Shengzhenzhi, an undergraduate from the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, spoke as the student representative. He recounted his academic exploration during his sophomore year, when he joined a laboratory working on biomass energy. “I often worked into the early hours, driven by the vision of turning waste wood into high-energy aviation fuel,” he recalled. With China’s dual-carbon goals in mind, he has chosen to pursue further studies at TJU in biomass electro-conversion. “My long-held dream of becoming a leading scientist is starting to take shape.”

Li Xinggang, a TJU alumnus and member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, returned to campus to offer words of wisdom. “Your dreams shine brightest when they are part of the broader cause of national rejuvenation,” he said. He encouraged graduates to embrace change, respond to the needs of the times, and find strength in persistence. “Great trees do not grow overnight. Behind every breakthrough is quiet, consistent effort. When faced with challenges, remember the enduring spirit symbolized by TJU’s buildings and the motto ‘Seeking Truth from Facts.’”

Jiao Kui, a professor from the School of Mechanical Engineering and the National Energy Storage Platform, offered heartfelt advice to the graduating class. “Hold fast to your core values and be patient, and your time will come. Learn to let go, move forward bravely, show gratitude, and live authentically,” he said. “Define your own success and live a life that is uniquely yours.”

TJU President Chai Liyuan concluded the ceremony with a keynote speech titled “Between Knowing and Doing.” He urged students to align their ideals with responsibility and to serve society with both technical excellence and humanistic concern. “In a world full of both opportunities and disruption, true science must not only have height and speed, but also depth and warmth,” he said. “I hope you will become individuals of vision, responsibility, and compassion, staying true to your purpose while embracing innovation.”

At the end of the ceremony, graduates sang the university anthem before walking across the stage to receive their degrees from university leaders and representatives of the degree committee.

Outside the gymnasium, students posed for photos with classmates and family members, capturing the joy and pride of graduation. As the Class of 2025 steps into a new chapter, Tianjin University offered its best wishes: “Let wisdom guide your path and courage steer your course. Carry forward the TJU spirit of ‘Seeking Truth from Facts,’ and write your own extraordinary chapter in the journey of Chinese modernization. Your alma mater will always be proud of you.”

By: Qin Mian