Dear students, teachers, guests, family and friends,
Good morning, everyone!
The warm breeze in June blows with the graduation song playing; the lush grass and trees see off graduates’ forwarding steps. Today we are gathering together to hold the 2022 graduation ceremony and degree awarding ceremony. First of all, on behalf of all the staff of University of Science and Technology of China(USTC), I would like to sincerely congratulate the 5,173 students for completing their studies, and successfully receiving their degrees while opening the new chapter in their lives! I would also like to extend my heartfelt thanks to your parents who raised you diligently, your teachers who guided you attentively, and your friends and relatives who supported you silently!
(President BAO Xinhe delivering the speech)
A few years ago, holding the red letter of admission, you, from all over the world, were connected with USTC; today, wearing the solemn degree uniform, you bid farewell to your alma mater and go out to the world to pursue your future. Growing from ignorance to maturity, just like the baby black swan in Mini West Lake breaking out of its shell and flying, you have spent your best youth on this campus, learning knowledge, making friends, and growing talents.
During your “nerdy” time here, you have witnessed and experienced one major moment after another. In 2018, on the 60th anniversary of the founding of USTC, you related to the fervent hearts of USTCers; in 2019, on the 70th anniversary of the founding of New China, you confessed your love to our motherland; in 2020, in the fight against Covid-19 pandemic, you participated in scientific research and volunteer services in the front line in respond to the call of the country; in 2021, on the centennial of the Communist Party of China, you made a resounding vow of “Please rest assured that we’ll make China strong”; in 2022, from the successful holding of the Beijing Winter Olympic Games, you experienced China's confidence and calmness, and in the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League, you keep in mind the mission of “being the pillar of revival and the pioneer of a strong country”.
USTCers, you are the generation that walks and advances together with this new era. Not long ago, General Secretary XI Jinping pointed out at the conference celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Youth League that “Realizing the Chinese dream is a historical relay race, and youth of today should strive to be the first on the track to achieve national rejuvenation. The times have always handed historical responsibility to the youth. And the young people of China in the new era are born at the right time to take this great responsibility. The stage for their talents is immense and the prospect of realizing their dreams is bright.”
Just now, the azure flag passed over your heads, and the school song “Eternal East Wind” pierced through space and time, making hearts surging, “Raise the red flag high and put it on the peak of science! The peak of science is constantly being created, the peak should be as high as infinity, the flag should be red over the ultimate limit ......’. The glory and dream of generations of USTCers serving our country and pursuing excellence will shine on the road of your life. USTCers, I hope that no matter where you go, what profession you are engaged in, or what position you are in, you can always remember General Secretary XI Jinping’s request and shoulder the mission of USTCers, daring to go beyond and striving to be the first.
Do not forget where you came from and keep your faith in the passing of the flame.
If you believe in something, you can go far. Faith is like a bright light, splitting the darkness and illuminating the future; faith is like a guide, which makes you invincible stepping forward. Not long ago, we set up the exhibition hall of “Chasing Light” in school’s museum to show the glorious deeds of several generations of USTCers who “forged weapons for the country”. With the belief of “for the sake of a stronger motherland and for the rapid rise of USTC after moving south”, in 1978, a young team of only twenty people with an average age of less than 35 proposed and undertook the important task of building the first special synchrotron radiation device in China, and started the journey of chasing the dream in light source science. They worked day and night, studied tons of data, did thousands of tests, and built China’s first synchrotron radiation gas pedal in the university. Thus, China’s first “magical light” burst from Hefei, lighting up the road of Chinese scientists to “chase light”. They bore in mind the mission of “doing something with the domestic synchrotron light source”, and completed the “Hefei Light Source” Phase II project and other major upgrades. The Hefei Light Source has produced many world-class original achievements and solved a series of important scientific problems in the fields of advanced functional materials, energy and environment, and life sciences. Today, a new generation of light chasers is building the fourth generation of low-energy light source “Hefei Advanced Light Source”, trying to achieve full energy coverage of China’s advanced synchrotron light source, to explore the secrets of the microscopic world with “wise eyes”. For more than 40 years, generations of light chasers started from zero, concentrated their efforts on inheritance, and strived to realize the “light source dream”. I hope you will follow the models of the light chasers of the USTC, strive for the sake of the country, and make progress in overcoming difficulties.
To live the moment and strive constantly for self-improvement
52 years ago, China’s first artificial earth satellite was successfully launched, and the music of “Dongfang Hong” rang through the universe, creating a new era in China’s space history. ZHAO Jiuzhang, the founder of the “Two Bombs and One Star” and the first head of the Department of Applied Geophysics of USTC, deserve all the credits. He first proposed that “China should take the road of self-reliance in developing artificial satellites” and became the founder of China's artificial satellite cause. The leap from near Earth to deep space requires successive struggles of generations. WU Weiren, an outstanding alumnus of USTC, served as the chief designer of China’s lunar exploration project. Through him and his team’s efforts, “Chang’e-4” firstly achieved the human spacecraft landing on the back of the moon, and “Chang’e-5’ collected samples from the moon and returned safely...... From artificial satellite to human spaceflight, from Chang’e’s lunar exploration to deep space expedition, China has become a space powerhouse. WU reckoned, “As long as we have the real innovation, others will be convinced.” This “convincement” comes from placing country as the priority, from days and nights of hard work, and from the rigorousness and persistence of generations. This year, the deep space exploration laboratory jointly built by the National Space Administration, Anhui Province and USTC was inaugurated, and the USTCers with “the greatness of the country” in mind will start a new journey of exploring the new frontier of deep space. Youth is the bursting period of innovation. We hope that USTCers will not be confined to the existing knowledge, but they dare to walk into the “no man’s land”, break through the “ceilings” and to be the “pathfinders”.
To be determined in the future and do scientific search diligently
On the road of climbing, the brave will not alone. “There is no royal road to science, and only those who do not dread the fatiguing climb of its steep paths have a chance of gaining its glorious summits.” In 1900, Max Planck first proposed the quantum theory, which opened the door of the quantum world for mankind and triggered the “first quantum revolution”. More than 120 years later, China has been catching up in quantum science and technology, and has achieved a number of major innovations with world impact, promoting and leading the “second quantum revolution” worldwide. USTC has taken the lead in quantum information science research in China, and researchers including “post-40s” GUO Guangcan, “post-60s” DU Jiangfeng and “post-70s” PAN Jianwei have formed and led the “Quantum GDP” team, which has made big breakthrough in quantum communication, quantum computing, quantum precision measurement and many other fields, and has become an important force in the international quantum research map. On the road of innovation and entrepreneurship, there are also a large number of USTCers who dare to try and start from scratch to bring their ideals into reality. In recent years, we have seen the emergence of enterprises such as iFLYTEK, QuantumCTek, Chinainstru&Quantumtech, Origin Quantum, Cambrian Technologies, CloudWalk Technology, Huami Technology, EASPEED Technology, etc. More and more young talents of USTC like you are emerging and taking up their responsibilities. Your life is actually like climbing a mountain. Even if the mountain is high, as long as you keep climbing, you will always reach the top; Even if the road is long, as long as you keep walking, you will finally reach the destination. I hope that you will take the responsibility and strive with determination and tenacity in achieving your dreams.
USTCers, from your graduation now to the middle of this century, you are in the prime of life and will personally participate in and witness the realization of the second century goal. The Chinese dream for which several generations have struggled will become reality with your efforts. Each man is the architect of his own fate. I hope that you will follow the “five models” proposed by General Secretary XI Jinping, strive to be progressive youngsters in the new era, be USTCers who dare to think, fight, and surpass, and contribute the power of USTC on the journey to achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation!
USTCers, we want to give you the best of USTC, but only to find that the best of USTC is you! The future is bright, we will meet again. USTC will always be your warm home. I wish you all the best and a promising future!
Thank you all!
(June 28,2022 9:00 Central Sports Centre)
(Written by DUAN Qingrong)
