Prof Hai Wen, distinguished guests, colleagues, parents and graduates,
What a year it has been! For a year and a half, we have been battling Covid-19 tooth and nail. I must begin by thanking all our staff for putting in endless hours of hard work to see that our people are safe and sound. In doing so, they have united the entire college behind their efforts. How about a loud round of applause for our heroes?
Covid aside, UIC has done well for itself. We have been able to teach our students face-to-face. Our innovation in teaching and research is going at full steam, our graduate education programmes are in place, and work on the second phase of our beautiful campus is on the front burner. Covid has not slowed us down at all. At UIC progress is unstoppable.
Today is your day to receive your diploma. This day doesn’t come easy for you, against all the difficulties that Covid brings. Your teachers and parents, are celebrating this success with you. You deserve a big round of applause too.
Today, you leave behind all thoughts of examinations and GPA’s. Today you begin a new stage in your life, full of opportunities and uncertainties. You can forget about your GPA’s but I hope you will carry with you the best that a liberal arts education has to offer.
What is the essence of a liberal arts education?
For one thing, it is supposed to liberate your thinking, and broaden your horizons, so that you can address human problems critically and creatively. That is why Steve Jobs said that even in the age of technology, technology itself is not enough. It must be married with liberal arts.
Liberal arts education entails life-long education. No doubt, you have heard this term many times before. But in the 21st century, you cannot get very far without it—in fact your job security and advancement may depend it on, as well as your personal progress. If you cease to learn after four years at UIC, you have misunderstood the meaning of education.
Education is to prepare you for life, not just to help you make a living.
Life-long learning is inseparable from human progress. You will never fall behind. Just look at our guest of honour, Professor Hai Wen. He has publicly said that he will still be lecturing from the podium at age 80. He is a role model for our liberal arts graduates, because he lives a life of active learning and continuous self-growth.
Don’t be afraid to dream big. After all, China is a big country and offers big opportunities. As UIC graduates you have the benefit of both a national and international education, with your Chinese roots and your global vision. With this bifocal vision, you can spot opportunities better than anyone. You are young and can afford to take risks and go where your parents or predecessors have never gone before.
Life is full of surprises. Thirty or forty years from now, I wonder which one of you will be living out your dreams. Whether you will be among UIC’s future success stories is another matter. What matters is that you have given it your all. You have lived your life to its outer limit.
Don’t be defined by your GPA. I believe you are all better than what your GPA suggests. I believe if you embrace a life of adventure and tap the possibilities, there is no telling how far you can go and how high you can climb.
Congratulations for being part of this beautiful day and beautiful generation.
Thank you.
