Wisdom Inspires, Courage Leads: CUHK-Shenzhen Celebrates Tenth Graduation Ceremony for Postgraduate Students
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK-Shenzhen) held its Tenth Graduation Ceremony for Postgraduate Students on the morning of 16 November. Amid the refreshing autumn breeze at Liwen Hall, over 1,600 graduates donned academic gowns to bid farewell to the "Fairy Lake". Ready to embark on new journeys, these scholars are poised to write their next chapters with innovation and idealism. Distinguished guests included Professor The Hon Matthew Cheung Kin-chung, GBM, GBS, JP, former Chief Secretary for Administration of the HKSAR, and renowned philosopher and writer Professor Zhou Guoping. Together with President Xu Yangsheng, faculty, and families, they witnessed this milestone, encouraging graduates to navigate the era’s tides with wisdom and courage.
The proceedings began with the presentation of doctoral graduates by Vice President Professor Luo Zhiquan, followed by master’s graduates presented by their respective deans. After the conferment of degrees, Professor Wang Xuefeng, Dean of the Graduate School, announced the "2025 Presidential Award for Outstanding Graduate Students." President Xu Yangsheng presented the ten honourees with certificates and medals—symbols of honour and expectation—urging them to contribute tirelessly to social advancement. The recipients are:
Lu Zhe (Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Shaw College/School of Science and Engineering);
Xu Mutian (Ph.D. in Computer and Information Engineering, Muse College/School of Science and Engineering);
Ma Xianping (Ph.D. in Computer and Information Engineering, Muse College/School of Science and Engineering);
Wang Yuheng (Ph.D. in Finance, Shaw College/School of Management and Economics);
He Danna (Ph.D. in Global Studies, Diligentia College/School of Humanities and Social Science);
Chen Xi (M.A. in Music Composition and Theory, Eighth College/School of Music);
Wang Siyu (M.Sc. in Applied Psychology, Shaw College/School of Humanities and Social Science);
Huang Zecan (M.Sc. in Business Management, Minerva College/School of Management and Economics);
Ji Yichen (M.A. in Simultaneous Interpreting, Harmonia College/School of Humanities and Social Science);
Wan Hanwen (M.Phil. in Computer and Information Engineering, Duan Family College/School of Science and Engineering).
President Xu presenting the Presidential Award for Outstanding Graduate Students
?As the University’s tenth postgraduate cohort, these scholars have distinguished themselves through academic rigour and prolific research. They have secured numerous patents and published in authoritative journals such as?IEEE Transactions?and?Mathematics of Operations Research, alongside premier conferences including NeurIPS, ICLR, and ICML. Notable accolades include the "Best Conference Paper First Prize" awarded to Data Science Ph.D. graduates Liu Yicheng and Wang Chenhao at the 4th National Conference on Supply Chain and Operations Management. Additionally, Zhang Ruizhe (Music Composition and Theory) claimed the "Absolute First Prize" and "Bach Excellent Creativity Special Award" at the 2024 Bach International Music Competition (4th Quarter), and secured First Prize in both the Preliminary and Global Finals of the 10th Ivy International Grand Prize of Music.
?Most graduates have launched careers in major hubs such as Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai, joining industry leaders and financial institutions including the Hong Kong Genome Institute, CICC, CITIC Securities, China Merchants Bank, ByteDance, Tencent, Huawei, Alibaba Cloud, and DJI. Beyond the corporate sector, many have advanced to postdoctoral or research roles at prestigious global institutions such as Caltech, the University of Chicago, McGill University, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, and Lero (The Irish Software Research Centre). Others have joined premier arts organisations like the National Centre for the Performing Arts and the China National Symphony Orchestra. Meanwhile, those continuing academic pursuits have received offers from world-class universities, including the National University of Singapore, Georgia Tech, the University of Hong Kong, UNSW, and the University of Bristol.
?This year also marked a milestone with the inaugural graduating class from the School of Public Policy. These graduates have been recruited by diverse research institutions, technology enterprises, state-owned enterprises, government bodies, and educational institutions, including renowned NGOs and policy research platforms. A portion of this cohort will continue academic pursuits at key domestic universities and within CUHK-Shenzhen itself.
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?President Xu Yangsheng: Life is a Wilderness, Not a Track
In his address,?President Xu Yangsheng?extended his warmest congratulations to the graduates. He noted that as the University celebrates its eleventh year and tenth postgraduate ceremony, it has "attracted global talents" and seen its alumni "win widespread praise for the University." President Xu emphasised that "the future will not be built by individuals, but by diverse teams working in creative collaboration." He urged the community to develop "intellectual openness," advising young graduates: "Don’t hold back your ideas even if they are not perfect," while reminding experienced leaders "not to dismiss what you don’t immediately understand," for "true innovation happens when different potentials and experiences intersect."
President Xu offered two crucial pieces of advice to the graduates entering society:
First, he observed that "the more books one reads, often the harder it is to innovate," because one tends to "look for answers from books and known events, thereby giving up thinking." He encouraged graduates: "When you have an innovative idea, protect it like you would protect your newborn child." He urged them to release their minds from judgment during the creative process, stressing: "Life is a wilderness but not a track. Go and do it to become a unique self. Your actions define who you are."
Second, he warned that "people who read more often care more about others' evaluations," noting that "society is cruel." He remarked, "There are many smart people in the world... eventually you can win among smart people because you are more resilient than them." He counselled the graduates to "turn the outside volume down so that you can hear your own voice" and to have the confidence that "one day you will find that thing you must do in your life."
Concluding his speech, President Xu reminded them: "Wherever you go, remember that you can always return to us as mentors, collaborators, and friends. You will always remain part of the CUHK-Shenzhen community." He sent them forth with a final charge: "Now go forth with courage and humility. The world needs your energy, creativity, and kindness."?
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Professor The Hon CHEUNG Kin-chung, Matthew: Unlock the Future with "HEARTS" and a Sense of Mission
The Guest of Honour,?Professor The Hon CHEUNG Kin-chung, Matthew, highlighted that university education not only equips students to succeed but also to be virtuous, qualities enshrined in the motto "Through Learning and Temperance to Virtue." He praised CUHK-Shenzhen as a "unique, high-quality, global and well-respected university with a difference."
Describing himself as a "Made in Hong Kong" product who served the city for half a century, he reflected on the "Tale of Twin Cities"—Hong Kong's rise as a global financial centre and Shenzhen's transformation into an innovation hub—calling it an "economic miracle" where both cities "made the impossible possible."
Looking ahead, Professor Cheung stated Hong Kong should leverage its "dual role as a super-connector and super value-adder of the Chinese Mainland." He described the bond between the cities as "symbiosis and synthesis," where "innovation fuses with entrepreneurship" and "technological and manufacturing capacities converge with financial, legal services, and international market access."
Professor Cheung concluded by sharing a recipe for success distilled from his lifelong service, the acronym?HEARTS: "H stands for?Humble; E for?Empathy; A -?Adaptable; R -?Resilient; T -?Tenacity?and S –?Sincerity." He assured graduates that "this password opens all doors" and urged them to pursue their endeavours "with a sense of mission and passion, and never treat it just as a job."
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Professor Zhou Guoping: Be the Master of Your Own Life in an Uncertain World
Renowned philosopher and writer Professor Zhou Guoping noted that completing postgraduate studies is a major turning point, signifying a departure from the familiar into the unknown. In an era defined by uncertainty, he suggested the most valuable asset is the courage and responsibility to "master one's own destiny." Professor Zhou offered three suggestions:
First, he emphasised the need for?vitality and a love for life, noting that internal vitality allows one to face challenges positively. He encouraged students not to be trapped by labels like "lying flat", stating: "I firmly believe that in any era, youth are natural idealists, with hearts burning for spiritual romance. Today, an eighty-year-old youth is speaking to you, hoping you will not become 'old people' in your twenties, but will forever maintain vigorous vitality and noble spiritual pursuits."
Second, he stressed competence, urging graduates to pursue excellence rather than hollow competition or "lying flat"—finding joy in a field they love and excel in. He advised against utilitarian competition, encouraging them to be creators with broad horizons.
Third, he highlighted character stability through values, particularly by reading classics in the humanities. He encouraged graduates to absorb the core values of "Truth, Goodness, and Beauty" to shape an independent mind, discerning conscience, and rich soul. "Regardless of your major, humanities books are essential. Reading 'useful' books gives you competence, while reading 'useless' books establishes correct values, giving you stability," said Zhou.
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Graduate Representative Xu Mutian: Escaping the "Saddle Point" to Find Your Optimal Path in Uncertainty
Speaking on behalf of the Class of 2025,?Xu Mutian, a Ph.D. graduate in Computer and Information Engineering from Muse College, shared his journey of transformation. He confessed that his path was not a pre-set track but a journey of embracing uncertainty.
Xu Mutian recalled his shift from undergraduate studies in electromagnetic engineering to computer science, and finally to computer vision research. He described this transition as "stepping out of a familiar room into a vast, unknown forest." It was this acceptance of uncertainty that allowed him to explore different paths, eventually finding his academic niche at CUHK-Shenzhen.
He deftly employed the concept of the "saddle point" from AI and computer vision research to metaphorically describe life states that seem stable but are stagnant. He argued that the key to breakthrough lies in actively introducing "uncertainty" as a "purposeful disturbance," helping oneself to escape the "saddle point" repeatedly in search of a global optimal path.
Looking ahead, Xu remarked that uncertainty is not just a personal opportunity but a challenge of the era. He concluded: "The skills we've learned here matter tremendously, but what may matter even more is our willingness to keep exploring uncertainty. This is not just a personal strength — it's our greatest gift to humanity. When we dare to question, to step into the uncertain, we don't just find better versions of ourselves — we help create a better world for all."
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