On the noon of June 23, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) held the Graduation Ceremony & Degree Awarding Ceremony for the Graduates of 2020. Dean Prof. Xiao Xi, Chair of the SIPA council Mr. Yang Min, Deputy Dean Yu Hongsheng, the representatives of SIPA staff and the lately returned bachelor and master graduates attended the ceremony. Deputy Dean Prof. Sun Xingjie hosted the ceremony.
The graduates students along with others who cannot return to campus due to the pandemic restrictions attend the ceremony online. The ceremony was also livestreamed on Bilibili.
The graduation ceremony began with the solemn display national anthem of China. Dean Prof. Xiao Xi delivered a speech themed “After the Hurricane, the Sun Shines Still”, and gave the sincere wishes and ardent hopes to all graduates. In her speech, she firstly emphasized that in this special time of the national fight against COVID-19, organizing students to return to campus to carry out graduation activities was not easy. Making it happen demonstrated the profound care and determination of Jilin University for its graduates. Being diplomacy learners, we should have a deeper understanding of the resolve of our country to protect people’s lives to its best in the fight against the pandemic, and see the superiority of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the greatness of the Chinese spirits and the widespread recognition and praise from the international community. The motto of SIPA “Patriotism with Global Vison” should be borne in mind and carried out through action. She proposed to applaud for the all the front-line medical workers, volunteers and every ordinary but great individual who strictly observe the home quarantine protocols.
Prof. Xiao Xi also shared her understanding of growth and striving forward. She hoped our graduates possess the motivation of “born to win and learn for improvement”, the stress of breaking through the barrier and jumping out of comfort zones, the ability to cumulate power and gathering the best. She also stressed that by working hard, having the confidence of success, and facing the setbacks in the life with high spirit, firm belief, youthful passion, and a cooperative mindset, one is bound to make great achievements.
Prof. Xiao Xi hopes the graduates learn from the spirits of “wintersweet, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum”:
The perseverance of wintersweet. The wintersweets only bloom during the test of ice and snow. One should face the restlessness and anxiety of life with a clear mind, withstand the loneliness and strive steadily with a long-term vision. Just like wintersweets - only by rooting firmly to the ground, can one bloom splendidly regardless of storm or sunshine；
The elegance of orchid. Not like ordinary plants, orchid always grows in the front yard and patiently wait for the wind to come with its own elegant fragrance. One should bear a lofty aspiration with a deep love for its country, cultivate the wisdom and elegance with a time-proved morality, and forge the virtue of “honesty, erudition and grace” with the pursuit of “truth, goodness and beauty”；
The toughness of bamboo. Even though tortured hundreds of thousands of times, bamboo still stands firmly in the gale. One should learn from bamboo to forge the elasticity and the ability to handle the pressure, and face the challenges of severe conditions bravely during the process of growth. Only by working hard and striving forward when feeling like there is no way out, can one feels rejoice and relived when finally found a way to the destination；
The pride of chrysanthemum. Chrysanthemum always blooms in the autumn when other flowers withered. It stands alone with pride. In the new era, one should not become a dainty egoist, but should possess an unflattering pride. The youth should realize that everyone is deeply bonded with the rise and fall of the world, and should be emboldened to act as the backbone of the Chinese people. They should invest own future to the dream of the country, and unite individual growth with national rejuvenation.
The graduates were greatly touched by the sincere words of Prof. Xiao Xi. Rounds of applause were heard in the hall.
After that, Deputy Dean Sun Xingjie announced the name list - 38 bachelors and 10 masters graduates of 2020 – who received their degree. With the high-spiriting background music, the graduates presented went on the stage one by one. Dean Xiao Xi turned their tassels and Mr. Yang Min awarded them degree certificates, and took photos with every graduate. All the graduates were happily excited to welcome a successful closure of their college life.
During the commendation of distinguished graduates, Deputy Dean Yu Hongsheng awarded bachelor graduates Li Yuan, Chen Zhongshan and master graduate Liu Dandan with certificates and took photos with them.
By the end of the ceremony, Deputy Dean Sun Xungjie pointed out that this reunion was not easy and thus valuable in the time of pandemic. He sincerely wished all the graduates a bright future and hoped them constantly push beyond their own limits. There is line in the alma mater of Jilin University, “to conquer the highest mountain and exceed the longest road”, but Jilin University will always be here waiting for all her graduates.
Now it is high time to start a new journey and march bravely ahead. Although the study life in college came to an end, the sprit and habit of lifelong learning should never be lost. SIPA will always cheer for every piece of achievements of its students, and will always be excited seeing them soring high in the sky. Wish 2020 graduates of SIPA in good spirit, always cherish the good memories with teachers and classmates, and write down a new chapter in their lives.
