2020 Fudan Commencement Speech by President Xu Ningsheng, Fudan University
Dear students, parents, colleagues and friends,
Good morning! Today we’re here for 2020 online commencement of Fudan University.
This semester, all our students, teaching faculty and staff have worked very hard to reduce the impact of the pandemic on our campus operations. I really appreciate the effort of our over 2,000 members of teaching faculty for moving their courses online.
Professor Shen Weixiao from the School of Mathematical Sciences is one of those with the most impressive work. He had to video-record his lessons in a classroom without students, while still needed to write on the blackboard and explain key points as he used to. He refined his courseware continuously and meticulously to provide the best experience for his students.
All students, in particular the final-year students, have done their best to adapt to the new situation and fulfill their last semester at Fudan. Owing to the concerted effort of every Fudaner, today the students can graduate from this university as scheduled. Through this live-streamed ceremony, I would love to send my warmest congratulations to the 3,251 undergraduate students and 4,068 graduate students who are graduating today. Wherever you are around the world at this moment, our hearts are close. I send you my best wishes as you embark on a new journey in life. I would also like to thank your professors, parents and friends for coordinating with us and supporting you all the way through.
The world now is witnessing unprecedented changes in a century. The outbreak of COVID-19 has added to the uncertainty and complexity of the world, with a profound impact on the entire human civilization. During the pandemic, China has played a role proportional to its international status, demonstrating its competence and responsibility.
At this critical juncture of the end of China’s first centenary goal and the start of the second, I wish all of you can relate your personal interest to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and the vision of building a community with shared future for mankind. I hope you can ride the tides of the times and take on your obligations while meeting the opportunities amid challenges and creating a better future amid changes.
Upon your graduation, I have the following advices for you:
First, be responsible for the world we live in.
The pandemic has made it clear to us that building a community with shared future for all mankind is most relevant now. We have also been urged to reexamine the relationship between individuals and nations, as well as that between nations.
Professor Zhang Wenhong, who just delivered his remarks, has been sharing his experience of disease control and treatment with international experts. His book COVID-19: From Basics to Clinical Practice has been translated into many languages. Professor Zhang is really a practitioner of the ideal of building a community with shared future for all mankind.
I hope you may take the pandemic as an opportunity to see things in a bigger picture, for instance, when deciding on your personal development.
Student Wu Yunong from the School of Journalism, who just spoke on behalf of the undergraduate students graduating this year, has played her part in global disease control with her latest project that mapped the imported cases of COVID-19 in Africa.
Filip Filipovic, a Serbian student from the School of International Relations and Public Affairs at Fudan who addressed the ceremony on behalf of international students, mentioned in his speech that he would love to serve as a bridge between China and Serbia in academic exchange and diplomatic ties, while contributing to the future of international relations and facilitating expansion of exchange channels. I think this is exactly what a Fudan student should aim for. Wherever you will be and whatever you will do, have a heart for the world you live in. Always try to connect your personal pursuit to that of all mankind, and devote your wisdom and effort to national development and human progress.
Second, bear in mind the Fudan motto of “solidarity, service and sacrifice”.
This should be the motto of your life. In the battle against the coronavirus, Fudan University, its Shanghai Medical College in particular, has been praised nationwide and worldwide. 511 medical workers volunteered to aid Wuhan. Two Fudan affiliated hospitals were turned into the city’s designated medical facilities to receive coronavirus patients and safeguard the health of the citizens. Fearless and unselfish, those medical workers fought on the frontline, working around the clock both at home and abroad.
Over 20 web sessions were held between Fudan and overseas universities and hospitals to share pandemic experience. Over 1,000 people were trained in the online lectures given by Fudan experts. Over 2,000 students volunteered their time both online and offline. Generous donations were made by Fudan faculty members, students, alumni and university board members. Amid the outbreak of COVID-19, no one backed down or hesitated to lend a hand. Instead, we’ve demonstrated the Fudan motto “solidarity, service and sacrifice” with substantial actions. This is among the invaluable legacy of Fudaners over the past 115 years and I hope all of you can live up to the motto for the rest of your life. Never be afraid of difficulties and challenges in your future life and work. And never be hesitant at making sacrificing. By sacrificing, you contribute; through service, you make yourself useful; with solidarity, you become powerful.
Third, play your due part in the times.
President Xi said, “Science and technology are the most powerful weapon in humanity’s battle against diseases. Mankind can not defeat a major disaster or epidemic without scientific development and technological innovation.”
During the pandemic, Fudan has undertaken 18 projects assigned by the National Natural Science Foundation, the Ministry of Education and Shanghai Municipal Government, in addition to raising a total of 25 million yuan for launching 55 relevant research programs. Fudan scholars and experts took the initiative to share their wisdom on social governance with over 200 advisory reports.
Take Wu Fan as an example. As Deputy Dean of Shanghai Medical College of Fudan University, she spared no effort fighting on the frontline by giving advice on policy-making and popularizing knowledge of the coronavirus. She is acclaimed by the public as the “Superwoman of Disease Control”.
Also, research teams from the School of Information Science and Technology and the Academy for Engineering and Technology worked night and day to improve their disinfection robot which were used at the venues of this year’s National People’s Congress and Chinese People’s Political and Consultative Conference.
As a driver of innovation and incubator of talents, Fudan has leveraged its cross-disciplinary advantages and research capabilities to help contain the virus. To safeguard human health and boost national and global public health systems in the long run, Fudan has formulated an action plan on building a cluster of subjects under the public health discipline and laid out the blueprint for a research platform on major diseases and biosafety.
Dear students, we have a proud history to look back at and a bright future ahead of us.
Fudan University is building itself into a world’s first-tier university. In the past five years, Fudan has continued to press on with its mission to cultivate academic elites with high ethical standards. Committed to integrated innovation in research, Fudan has established a dozen new affiliated research institutes as a part of the efforts to turn itself into a research-oriented university. Now we have three campuses plus one specialized campus for frontier science and technology research. We have transformed the administrative structure of the affiliated Shanghai Medical College to strengthen all-round development of our medical discipline. Substantial progress has been made on building national-level platforms as well.
What we’ve managed to achieve in the past five years paves the way for the next five years. Fudan is better-positioned than ever to forge ahead. It’s the common pursuit of all Fudaners to pioneer on all fronts.
Professor Wang Zhan, who spoke on behalf of the alumni, is a man who looks beyond theories and seeks substantial improvements that benefit the society. Student Tao Ran, the student commencement speaker on behalf of graduate students this year, is also a keen observer who is dedicated to scientific discoveries and innovation.
The future is in your hands! I hope all of you can stay passionate about truth and innovation, and apply your knowledge and wisdom to solving real-life problems.
Dear students, this year marks China’s success of building a moderately prosperous society and accomplishing its first centenary goal. It is the best of times and there is so much for you to do as your career. Get out there, take on your responsibility, face up to the challenges and make this world a better place for all of us!
Last but not the least, Fudan is always home to all of you. Feel free to come back to make up for the degree conferment ceremony when the pandemic ends. Fudan’s door is always open to you.
To conclude my speech, let me say congratulations again to our graduating students. Graduation is the beginning of a bright future for you ahead. Happy graduation to you.
Thank you very much!
