Dear students, esteemed parents, alumni, and teachers,
Good morning, everyone!
I'm Zhang Lifeng, your president.
June in Beijing is a wonderful time, full of vitality. This day has finally arrived. We always thought graduation was far away, but in the blink of an eye, it's time to part ways.
Today, we grandly hold the graduation ceremony and degree - awarding ceremony for the class of 2025, witnessing and celebrating a day that is of great significance to you and that you will remember for a lifetime. On behalf of Liu Jun, Secretary of the Communist Party of China Committee of North China University of Technology, and all the teachers, students, and staff of the school, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations to all the graduates. I also express my heartfelt gratitude to the teachers who have painstakingly cultivated you to grow into talented individuals, and pay my highest respects to the parents who have provided you with endless support and care on your growth journey.
Today, 4,607 students (including 3,300 undergraduates, 1,257 postgraduates, and 50 international students) are ready to set off from Yuxiu Garden and embark on a bright future.
As the president, every year I welcome freshmen who are innocent and full of curiosity, and every year I bid farewell to you all who are beaming with confidence.
Dear students, you are a lucky generation. You are lucky because you have caught up with a new era of rapid development in our country. Take the first half of 2025 as an example. During the Spring Festival, Deepseek was quietly launched, making the whole world deeply ponder over the scientific and technological development of artificial intelligence in China. The stunning debut of Nezha II shocked the world more than 1,000 years after the mythical figure originated in the Tang Dynasty. This is the confidence and strength of the Chinese nation's cultural self - confidence. China's composed response to the trade war demonstrates the bearing and responsibility of a major power!
You are a strong generation. You, together with the people of the whole country, have withstood the impact of the pandemic for several years. You have jointly contributed to the new era of North China University of Technology. You are the witnesses of the rapid development of the school. With the joint efforts of all teachers and students, North China University of Technology has entered the "Four New" era: new talents, new disciplines, new doctoral programs, and a new campus. "New talents" means that the number of national - level high - level talents has reached double digits and will reach triple digits one day. "New disciplines" means that the school has established the School of Energy Storage Science and Engineering, the School of Integrated Circuits, the School of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and reorganized the School of Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science, laying a solid foundation for the discipline development of the university. "New doctoral programs" means that in 2024, the university was approved for two doctoral programs in Control Science and Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, marking the entry of North China University of Technology into a new era of doctoral student cultivation. "New campus" means that the university was approved to build the Yanqing New Campus, kicking off the "One University, Two Campuses" era. In the 1,100 - mu new campus, Yuxiu Garden will be rebuilt to continue the affection for the alma mater. You are all welcome to come back and visit often.
Some say that you are a generation that grew up with apps. I would say that you are a generation striving hard in the clarion call of building a strong education country. Whether it's four years of undergraduate study or three years of postgraduate study, you have left a vivid mark belonging to the class of 2025.
Today's graduation ceremony is an important milestone in your life's growth and a crucial moment for you to look forward to the future and embark on the next journey of your life. As your president and teacher, I would like to share with you a few hopes and some of my life insights and sincere words for your reference.
The first is to hope that you temper your will like steel and forge an enterprising ambition.
Dear students, please remember that conquering and strengthening yourself will always be your confidence!
Conquering yourself means that when others are swiping their phones late at night, you go to bed peacefully; when others are sleeping in during the day, you have already started working. Strengthening and cultivating yourself means constantly learning real skills, broadening your horizons and thinking, and enhancing your cognitive pattern. This is the fundamental way to break through your comfort zone. In life, it's all about knowing yourself, refining yourself, and willingly changing and transforming yourself.
Today you graduate. After a while, if you feel physically tired or find the road ahead difficult, I'll teach you a way to solve it. That is to return to campus for further study, pursue a master's or a doctor's degree, and become a stronger version of yourself. Although a degree is not a universal pass, it is a key lever for self - precipitation and ability improvement. From the job - hunting exploration of undergraduate graduates, to the precise matching of master's graduates, and then to the leisurely selection of doctor's graduates, this process clearly shows the progressive improvement of professional knowledge and personal abilities in learning achievements and their practical effects.
Learning without thinking leads to confusion; thinking without learning leads to sluggishness. If you want to change yourself, you must be busy in a planned way and fill your schedule. When you wake up every day, ask yourself what you did yesterday and think about what you should do today. This is self - transcendence. Keep pushing yourself to become the best version of yourself. The more proactive you are, the more achievements you will gain. True winners have no time and never pay attention to those sentimental and trivial matters. Dear students, remember that you should not just do your best in everything; you must go all out!
No one succeeds easily. Everyone has to work hard. Dear students, everyone should strive to realize their dreams and fight for them all their lives! Once you have a dream, work hard to achieve it.
Dreams are meant to be realized, not to be missed!
Remember the lofty aspirations in your youth; you once aimed to be among the best in the world!
There will always be a gentle breeze in the world to fulfill my great dreams!
Dear students, don't fear the future, don't dwell on the past. Keep your goals and move forward. No matter how far the destination is, you will surely reach it.
All roads lead to Rome, but only the road you walk is your own path to prosperity!
Dear students, the road is for running, not for lying flat!
Dear students, as long as you are on the right path, don't be afraid of the distance. Confidence is more important than anything else!
The second is to hope that you learn to be flexible and humble.
Understanding true humility and modesty is the trump card for you to always be popular. Humility and modesty are virtues. They make us aware of our own shortcomings and keep us eager to learn. Socrates, the famous ancient Greek philosopher, always said humbly, "The only thing I know is my own ignorance." Humility not only allows us to better accept the opinions and suggestions of others but also enables us to remain calm and rational when facing difficulties and challenges.
Learning to be modest can not only win the respect of others but also enable us to play a greater role in teamwork. Around you, there are many examples of people who have achieved success by maintaining a humble and modest attitude.
Dear students, the things that a person should truly be proud of are kindness, good manners, tolerance, and the grace that comes from having seen the world. Be a warm - hearted person, living towards the sun, striving upward, clear - cut and organized.
Humility and modesty can also relieve your anxiety. Strengthening yourself doesn't mean being impatient. Dear students, think deeply when things happen. Remember that everything will work out if you take your time; people will be at peace if they are calm; words are precious if they are spoken slowly; and you will be blessed if you have a calm mind. When you encounter difficulties, don't rush. Take a break. A calm heart can generate wisdom.
As the newspaper says: Don't worry in advance, and don't anticipate troubles. Life is about dealing with problems as they come. The sun sets into the mountains and the sea, and there is profound meaning hidden in them. Looking back, you have unknowingly overcome countless difficulties and have learned to heal yourself while falling apart. You have experienced everything you should and shouldn't have, and endured everything you should and shouldn't have. For any major issue, let nature take its course. Find a balance between effort and reality, and learn to make peace with life and with yourself.
The third is to hope that you continue to be honest and uphold the truth.
Learning to be a person and do things is a lifelong practice and the bottom line for your survival in society. Doing things is like branches and leaves, while being a person is the root. Only by being a good person can you do things well. Uphold the truth and be a good person. In the days to come, I hope you can always adhere to the correct values and be a kind - hearted person with moral integrity. At each stage of life, we will meet different people. Making some bosom friends is a blessing in your life. The brothers and sisters in college are reliable because years of youth have bound you together. I hope that no matter where and when you are after graduation, you can support and encourage each other with your college confidants. I hope you can maintain a dedicated attitude, start from small and simple things, remember and practice the school spirit of "Solemn, Strict, Rigorous", be conscientious and responsible, and strive for excellence.
Success doesn't happen overnight. It requires long - term accumulation and unremitting efforts. It's remarkable to do many simple things well, and it's not easy to complete many easy things on time! Only by being down - to - earth can you go further. This process will surely make you a more outstanding person!
The fourth is to hope that you maintain a sense of patriotism and love for your beliefs.
You are the "generation for a strong country," a generation with cultural confidence; you are even more the "generation witnessing China's rise," a generation that looks at the world on an equal footing. On this year's Youth Day, General Secretary Xi Jinping replied to the young volunteers of the Western China Program who are teaching and serving on the border in Xinjiang, putting forward the earnest hope that young people "firm their ideals and beliefs, cultivate a deep - rooted sense of patriotism, master excellent skills, carry forward the spirit of struggle, and contribute their youth to the construction of Chinese - style modernization." Our Party, our country, and our family are our deepest roots and the mountains we can most rely on.
Dear students, heroes have always emerged from among the youth since ancient times. Some scholars have conducted statistical analysis on more than 1,200 outstanding natural scientists in the world and more than 1,900 major scientific and technological achievements from 1500 to 1960 AD. They found that the optimal age range for natural science inventions is 25 to 45 years old, with a peak at 37 years old. You are about to enter the golden period of your life, full of passion, ambition, and drive. I envy you and I also wish you all the best. You must work hard and make more attempts. Don't live up to your youthful enthusiasm. In this world, nothing is impossible, only if you don't start!
Love your parents. Parents are the most important guides on your life journey, supporting you to pursue your dreams and freedom. No matter where you go, remember to go home often, care more about your parents, and spend more time with your family. Love your real family. Those who always shout for extreme romance are often caught off - guard by reality. Although flowers are beautiful, they will eventually wither. Plain and ordinary companionship is the real consideration.
Dear students, the AI era has arrived, and it is an era of love. Love the Party, love the country, and love your family. You should be a generation full of love! "The fire of youth burns for the nation; the hearts of the youth beat for the motherland." You should take the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation as your lifelong love and ideal.
Dear students, parting is always bittersweet. Some students told me that "the most unforgettable thing in the four - year college life is Mr. Qian Sheng's advanced mathematics class. I really understood it while listening." Some students said, "What I remember most is the floor - to - ceiling windows on the top floor of the library. When I look up, I can see the setting sun dyeing the whole campus red." Some students told me that the hamburgers in the campus McDonald's are the most delicious, with a strong cheese flavor. And some students said that they can never get tired of the noodles and kebabs in the halal cafeteria.
Dear students, when you pack your bags tomorrow, you will find that what you can't take away is the four seasons of the whole campus, the laughter and noise in the corridors, the affectionate and concerned looks of the teachers, and the hurried steps rushing to the cafeteria after class. The trivial things that you once complained about countless times are now bathed in a gentle light. Those classmates who accompanied you to cry, laugh, stay up late, and be scolded, and those days when you went crazy, played, cried, and laughed together are all gone. Tomorrow you will understand that the heaviest luggage in your life is actually your unforgettable memories!
There will be no more curfews in the future, but remember to go home early; there will be no more roll - calls, but remember to go to work on time; there will be no more lights - out at night, but I hope you can take good care of yourselves and go to bed early every day!
When we gather, we are a blazing fire; when we disperse, we are stars all over the sky. You are more like the seeds of dandelions, gently blown away by the wind of graduation and floating to different places. Don't talk about forever. Just hope that we all work hard. When we meet again at a higher place, we will surely recognize the light in each other's eyes!
Farewell is not the end but the starting point of a new story. May you carry the courage and sincerity of youth, explore the world, experience the storms, and become the person you most want to be.
Dear students, may you plunge into the sea of people, each with your own magnificent journey.
Dear students, the Western Hills will never grow old, and our friendship will last forever!
Dear students, it's time to graduate! Fly high!