On the morning of 8 June, the 1st Graduation Ceremony of SDU-ANU Joint Science College (JSC) was held in Linglong Auditorium. Prof. Liu Jianya, Vice President, Shandong University (SDU); President, Shandong University, Weihai (SDUW); Dean, JSC, Prof Kiaran Kirk, Dean, ANU College of Science, Mr. Jay Poria, Head, International Relations and Partnership – STEMM, ANU College of Science; ANU College of Health & Medicine; ANU College of Computing, Engineering & Cybernetics, Mr. Arthur Xu, Regional Manager, International Relations and Partnership – STEMM, ANU College of Science; ANU College of Health & Medicine; ANU College of Computing, Engineering & Cybernetics attended online. Prof. Xia Lidong, Vice President, SDUW, directors of some relavant offices, SDUW, members of the JSC leadership, winners of “The 2023 SDU-ANU Joint Science College Award for My Favourite Teacher Elected by Graduating Students”, all the JSC faculty and staff and the class of 2023 participated in person. Liang Fengjun, Party Dean, JSC hosted the ceremony.
Liu Jianya extended his warm congratulations and good wishes to the 280 graduating students who are about to embark on a new life journey, including those studying at ANU, on behalf of the college and the university. He expressed his hope that the graduates bear the college motto in mind and look ahead after experiencing the COVID-19 pandemic and under the circumstances of today’s world undergoing momentous transformations unseen in a century. He put forward three points of reflection to them: cherish life, respect themselves and others as well as science, and learn to appreciate each day and seize every minute to forge ahead so that they can live up to the promise of their youth and the expectations of the times.
Prof Kiaran Kirk offered his congratulations to the students on their successfully completing their bachelor’s degree at Shandong University. He highly praised them for having demonstrated unwavering dedication, resilience, and insatiable keenness for knowledge throughout their time at JSC, esp. through the COVID-19 pandemic period that tested their resilience and courage, and he acknowledged the hard work and contribution that all the students, along with his SDU colleagues had made. He asked the students to remember that as they step out into the world beyond a university environment the education they received is not merely a collection of facts and figures, but a foundation upon which they will build their future. It is a toolkit of skills, perspectives, and values that will guide them to a bright future. He encouraged them to embrace the diversity of thought, seek out collaborations that transcend boundaries, and approach every challenge with empathy and compassion.
Lv Guangshi, Executive Dean, JSC expressed his congratulations to the class of 2023. He also thanked all the teachers and parents for their dedication to cultivating the students. Having reviewed the achievements the students made while studying at JSC, he expressed his hopes that the whole class will take root in their own field of study, stay committed to science, and continue working hard to realise the dream of greater accomplishments and a colorful life. Prof. Bai Ming, Vice Dean and winner of “The 2023 SDU-ANU Joint Science College Award for My Favourite Teacher Elected by Graduating Students” recalled the past four years when he and the students got along in and after class, respecting, loving, and learning from each other. He encouraged them to stay true to their original aspirations, keep their missions in mind and find a career that deserves love and devotion in their whole life.
Pang Yuxuan, 2019 cohort biology major student and Qiu Xiwen, 2019 cohort applied physics major student at ANU delivered a speech onsite and online respectively as student representatives. They both recalled their life and study at JSC over the past four years and expressed their gratefulness to SDU and JSC for the education they received. Feeling reluctant to part though, they will remember the teachers’ teachings and carry their dream to meet the new life journey where they will carry forward the spirit of Shandong University and strive for greater achievements for the society's development and progress with a firm conviction, passion of youth, and sharpened skills and abilities. Current student representative, Song Wenzhi, 2020 cohort applied chemistry major student said in her speech that she will follow the senior students’ example, firm up her ideal and conviction, study and practice diligently and shoulder the responsibilities, together with the senior students, of doing credit to the Alma Mater and rendering a service to the motherland.
At the awarding ceremony for My Favourite Teacher Elected by Graduating Students, Excellent Graduates of Shandong Province in 2023 and Excellent Graduates of Shandong University in 2023, Xia Lidong, Lv Guanshi and other leaders presented the awards to the winners. Following that came the appreciation gift presentation from the class of 2023 by graduating student representatives.
In the end, the singing in chorus of Shandong University Song brought the curtain down on the graduation ceremony.
The first graduation ceremony was held both onsite and online. All the students studying at ANU attended online in Australia. This ceremony expressed good wishes and ardent expectations to the class of 2023. It is also an important part of education of the fresh graduates and a beginning of alumni affairs administration work as well. It encourages the students to prepare themselves well for the next stage, continue to pursue excellence and realise their dreams and achieve remarkable improvements in their lives while making contributions to building China into a strong socialist country and realising the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
