Time Flows Like Tides, Youth Sings Like a Song. On June 22, the School of Government held its 2025 Graduation Ceremony grandly at the Wenhui Auditorium on the Lihu Campus, attended by the Class of 2025 undergraduate and master's graduates as well as their family and friends. Professor Yu Keping, Dean of the School; He Yanhui, Party Secretary; Professor Chen Wen, Executive Dean; Zhang Guoqiang, Deputy Party Secretary; Professor Gu Zhijun, Vice Dean; Professor Wu Haiyan, Vice Dean; Associate Professor Huang Binhuan, Vice Dean; Professor Tang Juan from the Department of Political Science; Associate Professor Chi Shangxin, Director of the Department of Sociology; Associate Professor Luo Wenen, Director of the MPA Center; Associate Professor Chen Kelin, Deputy Director of the Department of Political Science; Associate Professor Fu Yang, Deputy Director of the Department of Public Administration; Xu Tuoqian, Deputy Director of the Department of Sociology; Li Shufi, Class Advisor for Class 1 of Public Administration, Class of 2021; Associate Professor Wang Liyan, Class Advisor for Class 2 of Public Administration, Class of 2021; Shu Binbin, Class Advisor for Class 1 of Sociology, Class of 2021; Distinguished alumnus Pan Chunwu, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the Alumni Association, Assistant to the President of Shenzhen Jin Guanghua Industrial Group Co., Ltd., and graduate of the Public Administration program, Class of 2000; Distinguished alumnus Duan Zhao, Director of the Office of the CPC Working Committee of Directly Subordinate Organs of Heyuan City and Master's graduate in Political Science, Class of 2021; along with faculty representatives from various departments and programs, and administrative and teaching support staff, attended the ceremony to jointly witness this significant moment for the Class of 2025 graduates.
As the ceremony was about to begin, all faculty, students, and parents stood solemnly and joined in singing the national anthem of the People's Republic of China.
Master's student Zhang Jiajing from the Class of 2022 opened the ceremony with a rendition of "The South of the Yangtze," her clear voice weaving sentiments of farewell and anticipation into a captivating melody that quickly ignited the atmosphere, laying a poetic prelude to this youth-filled grand event.
Secretary He Yanhui then read the "Decision on Commending Outstanding Graduates of the School of Government Class of 2025" and the "Decision on Commending Outstanding Class Cadres of the Class of 2025 for the School of Government 'Alumni Award.'" Vice Dean Wu Haiyan and Deputy Party Secretary Zhang Guoqiang presented honor certificates to the awardees. Pan Chunwu, Executive Vice President and Secretary-General of the School's Alumni Association, read the "Decision on Adding Members to the Board of Directors of the School of Government Alumni Association" and presented appointment letters to the new directors.
At the intermission, the Graduate Student Union of the School presented a creative dance performance titled "Sleeve Dance," with its humorous choreography and energetic execution drawing waves of applause and laughter, adding a lighthearted and joyful touch to the ceremony.
Executive Dean Professor Chen Wen delivered a speech titled "Kunpeng Spreads Its Wings Across Ten Thousand Miles, Galloping Forward with Whip in Hand." He congratulated the graduates on their successful completion of studies and offered them high hopes: First, investigate things to gain knowledge and embrace the world's coordinates—through probing the vast tomes to "investigate things and attain knowledge," and in debates to "understand principles and discern subtleties"; second, care for the masses and aspire to the world—with selfless hearts, pursue endeavors that benefit the many, and achieve value through service and dedication; third, uphold integrity and guard against corruption for steady progress—adhere to legal and moral bottom lines, with the clarity and openness of "a heart of ice in a jade pot" to resist the distractions of "bewildering flowers that gradually dazzle the eyes"; fourth, forge ahead and co-create a brilliant chapter—carry the pioneering spirit of "Heaven is vigorous, the gentleman strives ceaselessly," with the resilient persistence of "the way ahead is long and far, I will seek up and down," and dedicate yourselves to the grand practice of modernizing the national governance system and capacity.
Undergraduate graduation representative Yang Zihui shared her reflections. She looked back on her four years at Shenzhen University, describing it as a journey of breakthrough growth and leveling up through challenges. She expressed heartfelt gratitude to the university for its nurturing, to the faculty for their guidance, and to her family and friends for their support. As a Party member, she pledged to remain true to her original aspirations and mission, integrating personal growth into the Party's cause, and fulfilling responsibilities with a pragmatic spirit.
Graduate graduation representative He Ling shared her reflections titled "Me and SZU." She recounted her connection to Shenzhen University during high school, realizing her dream through the postgraduate entrance exam, and her diligent research during graduate studies, where under the mentorship of her advisors, she achieved numerous accolades in academic competitions. On behalf of all graduates, she thanked the school’s faculty. Finally, she encouraged her peers with the line "Do not linger in chasing wind and moon; beyond the flat wasteland lies spring mountains," urging everyone to write a new chapter in their youth.
Outstanding alumnus representative Duan Zhao shared his reflections. With sincere enthusiasm, he expressed that it was an immense honor to stand as an alumnus representative, sharing his personal journey with the esteemed faculty and younger alumni present. He shared detailed experiences on growth, choices, and work, hoping the graduates would fear no hardships, advance courageously, and wishing the alma mater continued flourishing and new achievements.
Faculty representative Associate Professor Chen Kelin delivered a speech titled "Emerging One's Own Path in a Complex World." Grounded in the norm of contemporary complexity, drawing on complexity theory and the "emergence" phenomenon, he expounded the logic of individual growth, encouraging students in this world of challenges and opportunities to use "broad learning" to discern situations and pursue truth, and "good governance" to care for the world and serve the people. When facing complex issues, avoid attempting a single-perspective "one-sword kill," but instead apply the diverse knowledge acquired over the years, leverage systems thinking, and seek comprehensive strategies from multiple angles. He wished the graduates smooth sailing through complexities, emerging onto their own brilliant paths.
The ceremony featured a video of blessing messages recorded by School faculty for the graduates. They hoped the students would fully embody the responsibility and duty of School of Government scholars, venture into the vast world to temper themselves, bravely face challenges, and use professional knowledge to achieve great accomplishments, while also learning to balance work and life, and returning to the school often in their leisure time! Each teacher's earnest advice in the video brimmed with the warmest expectations and blessings for the graduates.
In the gratitude to mentors’ segment, graduate representatives from the school expressed heartfelt thanks to the faculty for their guidance and support in studies, research, and life, and sincerely wished the school continued prosperity and enduring reputation. Moreover, they pledged to remain true to their original aspirations and mission, root themselves in grassroots communities, fully leverage their professional strengths, uphold the spirit of the university and the school, and dedicate themselves to the broader mission of strengthening the nation.
Finally, Dean Yu Keping read the "Decision of the Shenzhen University Degree Evaluation Committee on Conferring Bachelor's Degrees" and the "Decision of the Shenzhen University Degree Evaluation Committee on Conferring Master's Degrees." Hosted by Dean Yu Keping, the hooding ceremony was conducted, with School leadership and faculty representatives hooding the graduates.
At the ceremony's close, the classic piece "Farewell" drew it to a poignant end. The familiar melody echoed through the auditorium, mingling tears and smiles among the faculty, students, and graduates' families below. As the final note faded, the 2025 School of Government Graduation Ceremony concluded amid the summer cicadas' chorus, while the graduates' new journeys set sail from here.
Congratulations to the graduates on a joyful farewell and a bright future ahead! Stand firm with saber in hand, spread wings like the Kunpeng, gallop forward with whip raised—classmates, set forth!
Layout | Zuo Jinming
Initial Review | Lie Geyili
Secondary Review | Luo Wenting
Final Review | Zhang Guoqiang
