Into the Wide World, Hearts Unchanged! SIPA Holds 2026 Graduate Commencement and Degree Conferral Ceremony
2026/3/30 16:07:42
On the afternoon of March 27, the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University held its 2026 Graduate Commencement and Degree Conferral Ceremony in the auditorium of Xinjian Building, Room 319. Attendees included SIPA Party Secretary Shen Lidan, Vice Director of the University Council and Chair of the School Academic Committee Zhang Mingjun, Vice Dean Zhang Lufa, Deputy Party Secretary Cheng Yin, homeroom teachers, faculty advisors, administrative staff, all graduating students, and their families. The ceremony was hosted by Vice Dean Huang Qixuan.
Address by the SIPA Party Secretary
On behalf of the school, Secretary Shen congratulated the Class of 2026 on the completion of their studies. Under the theme “Anchoring Yourself in Times of Great Change, Pressing Forward with Conviction Amid Uncertainty,” she shared three reflections with the graduates: First, to recognize the currents of the era and calibrate one’s life compass within the broader arc of history, as only by situating personal growth within the context of our times can one find direction and stand firm. Second, to carry forward the SJTU spirit and uphold a sense of mission rooted in service to society — remembering that the calling of SIPA graduates is not merely to interpret the world, but to change it. Third, to confront real-world challenges and draw strength from adversity — giving oneself permission to slow down, maintaining a lifelong hunger for learning, guarding one’s inner equilibrium, and preserving the rationality, warmth, and empathy that define a SIPA graduate.
Remarks by the Homeroom Teacher
Zeng Yu, homeroom teacher for the Class of 2026 master’s students, fondly recalled the students’ journey from uncertainty to confidence, expressing both pride in their accomplishments and a heartfelt reluctance to see them go. He reminded graduates to take care of both body and mind after leaving campus, to maintain an everyday balance amid the busyness of life, and to face gains and losses with grace and good humor. Above all, he hoped that every student would carry warmth with them on the road ahead — keeping a spark in their eyes, a clear path underfoot, stability in their pockets, and love in their hearts.
Remarks by the Faculty Advisor Representative
Faculty advisor representative Qin Chuanshen offered warm congratulations to all graduates. Drawing on an amusing anecdote about his own encounters with AI, he offered a profound insight: in the age of algorithms, human beings must retain their agency. Rather than becoming passive respondents to powerful tools, we should guide technology with authentic experience and emotion, making it an extension of our perception and expression. He encouraged graduates, when facing setbacks in the small things, to let go of fixation from a wider perspective; and when confronting existential doubt on the grand scale, to live earnestly in the small moments — to love real people, and to empathize with and care for every living soul.
Remarks by the Graduate Representative
Yang Shengmei spoke on behalf of the graduating class. Reflecting on the richness and warmth of her years at SJTU, she described how the university and school’s commitment to helping every student grow had left a deep impression. She spoke of the SJTU spirit of service and pragmatism, and the pioneering innovation, intellectual integrity, and sense of global responsibility she had cultivated during her studies. She expressed her belief that wherever SIPA graduates may go, they will carry the SJTU mark with them, putting down roots in whatever field they enter, and living out the principle that “choosing SJTU means choosing responsibility.”
Announcement and Presentation of Outstanding Graduate Awards
Deputy Party Secretary Cheng Yin read the list of Shanghai Municipal Outstanding Graduates and SJTU Outstanding Graduates.
Vice Dean Zhang Lufa presented certificates to each outstanding graduate. He expressed his hope that all graduates would take these honorees as inspiration, stay true to their original aspirations, and continue striving forward — embodying the spirit of SJTU-SIPA and contributing to the development of society.
Degree Conferral Ceremony
Accompanied by solemn music, the degree conferral ceremony began. Graduates, dressed in academic regalia, took the stage one by one. Professor Zhang Mingjun turned each graduate’s tassel, offering a handshake of congratulations, while Secretary Shen Lidan formally presented each diploma.
Announcement and Appointment of Class Representatives
Lu Jiemin, Director of the SIPA Alumni Office, announced the list of graduating class representatives and presented their letters of appointment. She expressed her hope that these representatives would serve as a bridge between the school and alumni, actively staying in touch with classmates and fostering the SIPA alumni community.
Gifts from Faculty to Graduates
Zeng Yu presented graduation gifts to the student representatives. For the Class of 2026, SIPA prepared personalized academic gowns embroidered with each graduate’s name, symbolizing their unique scholarly achievement; miniature Xinjian Building keychains, capturing cherished memories of their time in the iconic red building; photo frames featuring the school mascot “Liuliu,” preserving each student’s brightest moments; and tote bags bearing the school emblem, representing the dreams and lifelong connection graduates carry with them. Each gift reflects SIPA’s heartfelt wishes and enduring care for its graduates.
Gifts from Graduates to the School
Zhou Hong, representing the graduating class, presented a gift to SIPA — a podocarpus bonsai. The evergreen tree, with its upright and enduring presence, symbolizes the graduates’ lasting gratitude for the school’s nurturing, and their wishes for SIPA’s continued growth and success. It also embodies the graduates’ own aspirations — to stand resilient like the pine and grow into pillars of society. The graduates pledged to forever cherish their years of study in Xinjian Building, to carry this spirit of gratitude into the world, to give back to society through their actions, and to continue writing the next chapter of the SIPA story.
The graduate representatives then presented bouquets to their esteemed faculty members, expressing gratitude for years of dedicated guidance and mentorship.
Source: Student Affairs Office