As the song of farewell begins in midsummer, the graduates are ready for a great cause. On June 28, the 2023 Commencement and Degree Awarding Ceremony of Chongqing University was held at the stormproof playground as scheduled. The 13,012 hopeful, aspiring graduates are embarking on a new journey in their life. Wang Shuxin, President of Chongqing University, delivered the "last lecture" to the graduates titled "Belief".

"I believe I'm who I am. I believe in tomorrow. I believe youth knows no boundaries." Before the Commencement, led by a dozen graduate representatives, the graduates sang a combination of songs named "I Believe", showing the vibrant beauty of youth.

Shu Lichun, Secretary of CPC CQU Committee, Wang Shuxin, President of Chongqing University, Yang Shizhong, an academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering, Liu Hanlong, Managing Vice President of Chongqing University, Tao Juhu, Deputy Secretary of CPC CQU Committee and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Chongqing University, Deng Shaojiang, Liu Guiwen, and Yang Jun, Vice Presidents of Chongqing University, Zhang Baolan, an alumna of 1983 of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, and representative of the Construction Group of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, responsible persons of the schools and related departments, faculty representatives, alumni representatives, and parent representatives are among those who showed up at the Commencement. Feng Yedong, Deputy Secretary of CPC CQU Committee, presided at the Commencement.

With the magnificent national anthem, the 2023 Commencement and Degree Awarding Ceremony of Chongqing University started officially.

"As young people, you add to the richness of Chongqing University, which in return empowers you with profoundness. CQU students and teachers will keep the promise to 'be pioneers in rejuvenating the Chinese nation' made when the University was founded." Wang Shuxin extended his best wishes and expectations to the graduates at the Commencement. Wang went on to tell the graduates to always keep in mind the power of belief, the belief in the era, the belief in themselves, and the belief in time. He encouraged the students to achieve something with the power of belief.

Wang expressed his hope that the graduates hold a firm belief in the era, seize the momentum, conform to the trend of the times, and achieve success for themselves and the era; that they devote their youth to building China into a powerful country and live a regretless life. Wang encouraged them to stride proudly ahead with the confidence and courage of Chongqing University graduates and set the trend with the wisdom and power Chongqing University gave them, He told them to partner with time, make the most of time with "self-discipline and concentration", learn through "accumulation and precipitation", and struggle with "persistence and insistence", so that one day they will achieve their ideals in life. (The full speech)

“The horn of the era has sounded. I feel extremely proud and confident to see that you are all ready. With a firm belief in this era, CQU graduates will have endless possibilities, and will devote themselves to the construction of China into a stronger country and make a contribution to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” Wang Shuxin said affectionately in his speech.

Yu Zhuohao, a graduate of 2023 of the School of Computer Science, delivered a speech on behalf of the undergraduate students. In his speech, Yu shared his thoughts on learning and insights into practice, the scientific research findings and how he had been brave and responsible over the four years. Yu called upon the graduates to hold a firm belief in what they set out for, take over the baton passed by the previous generation of youth with confidence, and contribute their wisdom and strength to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation with the ambition of CQU graduates to be the pioneers in the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

He Yuanwei, a PhD graduate of 2023 of the School of Mathematics and Statistics, delivered a speech on behalf of the postgraduate students. In his speech, which was laden with affection, He shared his stories in CQU in the past 10 years and promised to forge ahead unswervingly as a hot-blooded young person. As young people, we will live to the fullest. He Yuanwei said that he will devote his youth to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, forge ahead and realize his life ideal.

Na Jia, the international student representative and a master graduate of 2023 of the School of Journalism and Communication, shared her stories in China, Chongqing and Chongqing University, and how she got to know the folk culture of China and the local conditions and customs of Chongqing. "What impresses me the most and poses the greatest impact on me is the people I've met here. I would like to extend my gratitude to the teachers and students of Chongqing University!"

Professor Liu Jiepeng from the School of Civil Engineering, a national talent, and winner of the National First Prize for Progress in Science and Technology, extended his sincere wishes to the graduates as a teacher representative. Liu expressed his hope that the graduates aspire to make contributions to the country and the industry, keep in mind their responsibility and mission; remain enterprising and fulfill their life.

Zhang Baolan, alumni representative, an alumna of 1983 of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, one of the Top 10 Outstanding Women of Guangdong, winner of the May 1st Medal for Women, winner of May 1st Medal, a model worker of Guangdong, winner of the "Construction Heroine" of China Communications Construction, and a professor-level senior engineer, shared the touching story of how she contributed to the construction of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and tackle difficulties with "non-cracking concrete". She told the graduates to never give up whatever difficulties and setbacks they encounter and encouraged them to devote themselves to the construction of China and become the backbones of the country.

At the Commencement, the graduates of 2023 presented Chongqing University with their carefully prepared souvenirs, which embody the gratitude and attachment of all graduates to their alma mater. Shu Lichun, Secretary of the CPC CQU Committee, took over the souvenirs on behalf of Chongqing University.

Deng Shaojiang, Vice President of Chongqing University, announced the list of outstanding graduates, the list of outstanding international students studying in China, and the list of the winners of the "Yuanhang Award" for graduates. Honored guests in the front row presented the students with honor certificates.

Liu Hanlong, Vice Chairman of the Academic Degree Evaluation Committee of Chongqing University and Managing Vice President of CQU, announced the decision to grant the degree. In the academic year 2022-2023, totally 591 CQU students were awarded the doctor's degree, 4,965 were awarded the master's degree and 7,456 were awarded the bachelor's degree.

Shu Lichun, Wang Shuxin, Liu Hanlong, Liu Guiwen and Yang Jun awarded the degree to graduate representatives.

During the degree awarding, the graduates used their mobile phones to leave messages expressing their wishes and wistfulness in the interactive section. Graduation-themed video clips titled "Scenery", "When Fog Clears", "Highlights of Youth", "Setting out", "Flying with a Carefree Heart", and "Messages to Graduates" were played to express wishes to the graduates.

It is reported that Chongqing University prepared exclusive graduation gifts for the graduates. The gifts for the undergraduate students of 2023 are an exclusive souvenir box that includes 1 school badge and 2 seals. The seals are made after the old gate of Campus A, Chongqing University, with characters engraved on them saying "Rejuvenating the Chinese Nation" and "Be Pioneers". The gift is a token of Chongqing University's expectation for its students to be firm in their ideals, live up to expectations, and make contributions in the new era. The gift for the postgraduate students of 2023 is a painting of the landmark buildings of Chongqing University. It can be used both as a night light and a decorative item, lighting up the way forward for Chongqing University graduates. Furthermore, Chongqing University gave the exclusive graduation gowns embroidered with the badge of Chongqing University donated by CQU alumni to the graduates as gifts.

Apart from that, with the active cooperation of related departments of Chongqing University, posters showing the University's best wishes to the graduates are put up on the platforms of CRT Line 1 and CRT Ring Line. The large LED screen at Chongqing Fosun International Center facing Jiefangbei CBD and Chongqing Grand Theatre across the river will display the youth declaration of the unique Chongqing University style and the sincere wishes for the graduates at 20:00-20:30, June 28.

Comrade Jiang Peimin, Head of the Fifty-eighth Steering Group of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and related members of the Steering Group appeared at the event.

Photography: Zou Le Duan Xiaoyun Wu Youhua Photography Department of News Network Research Work Department UMD Studio