Westlake University marked the 2025 graduation of doctoral students on Sunday July 6, with a commencement ceremony filled with pride, reflection, and encouragement for the future. Beneath the sunlit dome of the university’s Auditorium, graduates in blue and red robes gathered to celebrate thecompletionof their Ph.D. journeys and the beginning of new chaptersin their lives.
The event emphasized not only academic achievement but also character development, social responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence. University President Yigong Shi delivered a keynote address urging graduates to remain steady, grounded, and committed amid an increasingly fast-paced and uncertain world.
Shi advised students to treat life as a long-distance journey rather than a sprint. He encouraged them to focus on the process of personal growth, the value of persistence, and the importance of resisting distractions and external pressures. He also called on them to engage in deep, foundational work that prioritizes real breakthroughs over superficial success. In an era of global technological competition, he emphasized the need to strengthen the scientific base through consistent, methodical effort. He also highlighted the value of rational thinking and open-mindedness, urging graduates to remain intellectually curious and willing to bridge divides across disciplines and cultures.
Faculty representative Prof. Shi Liu from the School of Science offered a more personal perspective, describing life not as a timed examination but as an ongoing journey with room for exploration and meaningful relationships. Liu urged graduates to remain open, practical, and compassionate, reminding them that the road ahead would always be theirs to shape.
Throughout the ceremony, the close relationships between doctoral advisors and students came into focus. Many faculty members offered heartfelt parting messages as their students prepared to move on to research positions or industry roles.
Dr. Le Hong, a new graduate who will soon begin postdoctoral research at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, was reminded by her advisor to remain true to her aspirations and focus on work that benefits society.Dr.Chenrui Duan, who is joining ByteDance in Shanghai, was commended for exceeding expectations through diligence and determination.
Some graduates are staying closer to Westlake.Dr.Du Cao will continue her postdoctoral work at the university, with her advisor expressing confidence in her courage and leadership within the lab. Dr. Rui Zheng, heading to BYD in Shenzhen, was encouraged to proactively identify and solve problems in his new role and to remain open to collaboration and innovation—values he had been taught repeatedly during his time at Westlake.
Graduate representative Dr. Jun Xia from the School of Engineering encouraged classmates to cherish their shared memories, to hold on to their passions, and to prioritize well-being in their new lives. He reminded fellow graduates that no matter how far they travel, they will always have a home at Westlake.
The event concluded with a symbolic appointment of alumni liaisons and a 10-year reunion promise—an invitation for graduates to return in 2035 and reflect on how far they have come.
With tassels turned and farewells exchanged, Westlake Universityset forthits newest graduates,equippingthemwiththeknowledgeandresolve to serve, create, and leadin their future pursuits.
