Professor Tang Tao, distinguished guests, graduands and their families, ladies and gentlemen,
It is my great pleasure to join you on this auspicious occasion of the graduation ceremony of Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College to witness and celebrate the successful end of our graduands’journey at UIC and the exciting beginning of another chapter.
Let me first express my heartfelt congratulations to the class of 2023. The graduation is a reward for years of your hard work and dedication, a symbol of your accomplishments and a milestone of your life journey. It may not have been an easy ride for you because of the stress, burden and challenges brought by the pandemic in the past few years. You have worked hard to get to this point and persevered through challenges and overcome obstacles. Your graduation today is no small achievement, and you deserve much applause.
Today also marks the beginning of your new adventures. Some of you may further your studies locally or abroad, some may pursue knowledge in a new subject area, and others may start a career. No matter which path you will take, there are challenges, difficulties and also opportunities. I urge you to remember and cherish the lessons you have learned, the experiences that have shaped you, the friends you have made and the mentors who have guided you. These are the precious things that will stay with and benefit you for a lifetime and the important persons who will be a reliable source of support for your future success.
The world is changing fast and full of uncertainties. Technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence, are progressing at an unprecedented pace, affecting every aspect of our lives. The hard knowledge you have acquired may become outdated some day. Therefore, it is more important than ever for you to be adaptable, flexible and open-minded in order to navigate through this changing world. Having said that, I am confident that you will manage to adapt to any circumstances and seize the opportunities because you are graduates of UIC.
UIC is an exceptional international liberal arts college which aims to cultivate students’minds, personalities and ability to gain extensive knowledge actively.You have received a comprehensive and well-rounded education and have had the opportunity to learn from and interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. I believe that the education and training you received during your studies at UIC have equipped you with future-proof soft skills: an open mind, creativity, communication skills, problem-solving skills and a global perspective.
Your UIC qualification expands the horizons of your alumni networks, career options and future academic plans. UIC graduates have an excellent reputation among local and international employers, and I have every confidence that your UIC qualification will stand you in good stead in whatever path you take.
Last but not least, I wish to express my appreciation to the UIC staff, families and friends of graduands. The achievements of our graduands would not have been possible without your unwavering support and encouragement. You are equally to be congratulated.
Once again, my heartfelt congratulations to each and every one of you. I wish you all the best in your future endeavours. Thank you.
