News Network Report (Reporter: Zhuo Zhangpeng; Photographers: Cui Zhenzhen, Peng Jia)
On June 19, the 2025 Graduation Ceremony was held at the Art and Sports Center on the Nanhu Campus of ZUEL. All university leaders, members of the Academic Degree Evaluation Committee, heads of schools and relevant administrative departments, representatives of faculty, graduates and their family members, and alumni gathered to extend their heartfelt congratulations to 7,945 graduates from the Class of 2025, for successfully completing their studies and being now set to embark on the next chapter of their lives.
Hou Zhenfa, Secretary of the ZUEL Party Committee, attended the ceremony
Zhu Fangwei, President and Deputy Secretary of the ZUEL Party Committee delivered a speech
Zhu Fangwei pointed out in his speech that 2025 marks a year of special significance. As the beginning year of building China into a leading country in education, China will realize socialist modernization in 2035, and the goal of developing China into a great modern socialist country in the middle of this century. Graduates of ZUEL should have the “broad shoulders” to undertake the historical mission, and the “long-term vision” to seize the opportunities of the times, realizing the aspirations of life, and sharing the future with the country, the alma mater and the times.
This year also marks the first year of the boom of AI terminal application. “Mastery of economics, law, and management is the core value of every ZUEL member, and also the cornerstone of the competitiveness of the ZUEL University talent system, all of which needs to be empowered by AI. In the future, it is expected that all ZUEL members could embrace technology, master technology, go beyond technology, adhering to the humanistic thought, critical thinking and the ability of continuous learning fostered by liberal arts education. It is also essential to apply a vision of deep integration to have an insight into the essence of the matter, comprehend algorithms with critical thinking, weigh risks and benefits with bounded rationality, manage the complexity of the situation with contingency theory, and strive to become “upgraded human beings”.
Speaking of how to confront uncertainty in life’s new chapter, President Zhu hoped that under the guidance of ZUEL’s motto, the graduates can face external uncertainties head on with inner steadfastness, navigate diverse roles with stronger resolution, composure, calmness, and confidence, as well as make strategic plans for better balances between work and life, ideal and reality. In this way, they can hold accountable for themselves, their families, and their professions.
“The moment students step into campus, they become lifelong development partners of ZUEL, constituting a community with shared values.” Zhu hoped that as members of ZUEL’s community, both the university and graduates can work hand in hand for a bright future, writing a new chapter for the community of alumni and alma mater.
Shen Zuwu, Deputy Secretary of the ZUEL Party Committee and Secretary of the ZUEL Discipline Inspection, attended the ceremony
Chen Shi, Deputy Secretary of the ZUEL Party Committee, presided over the graduation ceremony
Qin Hong, a member of the Standing Committee of the ZUEL Committee and Vice President, announced the decision on graduation approval
Zhang Qi, a member of the Standing Committee of the ZUEL Committee and Vice President, announced degree conferral decision
Chen Baifeng, a member of the Standing Committee of the ZUEL Committee and Vice President, announced the commendation decision for graduates opting to serve in the western regions and at the grassroots
Faculty Representative and Dean of the School of Economics, Prof. Shi Zhilei, delivered a speech
Professor Shi Zhilei, Faculty Representative and Dean of the School of Economics, shared Plato’s “Allegory of the Cave” with the graduates. He encouraged students to engage in lifelong learning with a spirit of truth-seeking, passing on faith and strength with a torch of patriotism in their hearts, and give back to society with dedication and down-to-earth effort. In this way, he inspired students to walk firmly toward the sun in pursuit of a world that is truer, brighter, and broader.
Graduate Representative Li Weiyi, Undergraduate of the Class of 2025 from the School of Statistics and Mathematics, delivered a speech
“ZUEL has been the fertile soil that gave me the courage and wisdom to ‘find my rhythm,’” said Li Weiyi, an undergraduate of the Class of 2025 from the School of Statistics and Mathematics. As a graduate representative, she shared how she transformed from facing a “chaotic symphony” as a freshman to finding the “secret” to her rhythm of growth through four years of study and exploration at university.
Graduate Representative Zong Peng, Postgraduate of the Class of 2025 from the School of Marxism, delivered a speech
Graduate representative Zong Peng, a postgraduate of the Class of 2025 from the School of Marxism, enlisted in the military as an undergraduate student and became a young Marxist scholar during his graduate studies. He is now set to become a teacher of ideological and political theory. He hopes that students will carry the spirit of ZUEL high—in Central China, in Hainan, and at the far frontiers of the motherland!
Alumnirepresentative Sun Tiexiang (Bachelor of the Class of 2005 from the School of PublicFinance and Taxation,Master ofthe Class of 2007 from the School ofPublic Administration)delivereda speech.
Sun Tiexiang, an alumni representative who earned his bachelor’s degree from the School ofPublicFinance and Taxation in 2005 and his master’s degree from the School of Public Administration in 2007,delivered a speech. Drawingon his personal journey, he encouragedfreshgraduatesto strive to become individuals who hold fast to their aspirations, untouched by the tides of haste; Who embrace passion with rationality,unshaken by the storms of worry; Who forge ahead with fortitude, undaunted by the tempests of adversity.
Heads of schoolsawardedletters ofappointment to 2025AlumniAmbassadorRepresentatives.
Graduatespresentedflowers to“three-wideeducation”mentors
Ten graduate representatives took the stage to share heartfelt stories about their interactions with ten “three-wide education”mentors (all-staff collaboration, whole-process integration and full-domain coverage), who werethen invited onto the stageto acceptflowers.
During the pre-ceremony segment, graduates sang songs includingNext Stop: Chashanliu,Dear You, andA Friend Like You. TheGraduationCeremony concludedinthe universitysong sang by faculty and students.
Following the ceremony,PresidentZhu Fangweiwouldturnthe tassel andpresentdegree certificates for all graduates over the next two days and takephotos with each of them to commemorate the occasion.
It is noted that the People’s Government of Xinshi Town, Zaoyang Cityhas gifted all 2025 graduateswith10,000 blind boxestotaling 20,000 Royal Peach peaches a local specialty of Zaoyangduringthis graduation season. Additionally, the Alumni Association hosted a“Welcome Market” at the ceremony entrance, offering job opportunities to graduates.
Reviewer: Wang Qianshao
Editor: Zhuo Zhangpeng