On the morning of June 29, the Commencement Ceremony for Class of 2024 Graduate Program of the Department of Earth System Science (DESS), Tsinghua University was held in the back hall of the Main Building of Tsinghua University. Geng Rui, Secretary of the Party Committee of the DESS, presided over the ceremony. Professor Luo Yong, Dean of the department addressed the ceremony. Graduates of the DESS and their supervisors, relatives and friends attended the ceremony.

Geng Rui presides over the ceremony.

Lin Yanluan reads out the list of graduates.

The Commencement Ceremony was opened with the high-spirited national anthem. Professor Lin Yanluan, Deputy Dean of the DESS, read out the list of graduates and outstanding graduates of the DESS in 2024 and extended congratulations to them. Lei Tianyang, an outstanding doctoral graduate from Tsinghua University in the academic year of 2023-2024, and Zhao Jianqiao, an outstanding graduate of Beijing in 2024, spoke on behalf of the graduates.

The graduate representative Lei Tianyang delivers a speech.

Lei Tianyang retrospectively examined her six-year academic journey within the hallowed precincts of Tsinghua University, emphasizing the institution's pivotal role in fostering within her an unwavering determination to "pursue aspirations and produce achievements," a profound comprehension of "engaging with the real world and seeking the truth," and the broadmindedness of “Chinese dream and global vision”. She also shared her involvement in social practices and international exchanges. Through social practices, she came to realize the disparity between laboratory-based research and its industrial application, further solidifying her appreciation for the importance of "contributing scholarly works to the advancement of one's homeland." She attributed the educational ethos of Tsinghua as instrumental in instilling within her the conviction to uphold “Chinese Dream and Global Vision”. Upon graduation, Lei Tianyang chose to embark on a research odyssey, aiming at exploring global strategies for green and low-carbon industries amidst high energy consumption challenges, climate adaptation, and transformation, thereby contributing meaningfully to the development of her motherland.

Graduate representative Zhao Jianqiao delivers a speech.

Zhao Jianqiao shared what she had learned throughout her academic pursuit, emphasizing that the DESS instills in students the ethos of "seeking truth from facts, embracing openness, and fostering innovation," cultivates both morality and scholarship, encourages the unity of doing and knowing, and nurtures a mindset imbued with patriotism. Within the DESS, she has experienced her teachers’ profound care and support. It was her supervisor's guidance in academic endeavors, coupled with encouragement and support in personal life, that promoted her growth and development. Furthermore, she endeavored to embody Tsinghua's hallmark of "being red (adhering to socialist ideals), being professional, and striving for all-round development," exemplified by her role as a moral education assistant and her proactive service to her classmates. Zhao Jianqiao affirmed that as a Tsinghua student, she aspires to "foster morality and scholarship and become a person who benefits both the country and family," leveraging her youth to write a vibrant chapter in the annals of the motherland and enhance the glory of her alma mater.

Supervisor representative Xu Bing delivers a speech

Professor Xu Bing, as supervisor representative of the DESS, delivered an address, expressing her hope that graduates would use their talents amidst the ever-evolving landscape of scientific and technological advancements, emerging as genuine leaders and the nation's aspiring, knowledgeable elites. She expressed her earnest wishes for the graduates' success and also encouraged everyone to accept failure, if any, with composure. Professor Xu noted that contemporary society confronts formidable challenges, intricately intertwined with Earth system science and constituting the core of geoscientific inquiry. In this milieu, she emphasized the importance of adhering to the scientific ethos of truth-seeking, fact-based inquiry, and intellectual independence, while nurturing an abiding passion for science and nature. "This passion," Professor Xu Bing remarked, "serves as the fountainhead of innovative thought, the impetus to uphold truth, delve into facts, and preserve the spirit of autonomy. Furthermore, it fosters the resolve to persevere, surmount obstacles, and rise triumphant from adversity."

Dean Luo Yong delivers an address.

In his address, Professor Luo extended heartfelt congratulations to the graduating cohort and expressed profound gratitude to the dedicated faculty and staff of the DESS, as well as to the graduates' families and friends, for their unwavering commitment and unstinting support throughout their academic journey. He underscored the significance of fostering excellence as a way of life among the students, emphasizing that the relentless pursuit of excellence serves as a catalyst for continuous self-discovery and exploration. This quest, he posited, necessitates a perpetual state of learning, as adaptability and continued acquisition of knowledge are paramount to sustaining competitiveness. Moreover, Professor Luo highlighted the societal implications of individual excellence, asserting that when students excel in their respective domains, they not only achieve personal triumphs but also contribute positively to the broader society. He stressed the crucial role of innovation and development in maintaining professional edge and adapting to industry shifts. Additionally, Professor Luo imparted the importance of fostering qualities such as tolerance, cooperation, an international perspective with cross-cultural communication skills, and an unwavering commitment to moral development. As the graduates embark on their new journeys, Professor Luo offered them the following guidelines: let the pursuit of excellence steer their course, innovation and development propel their sails, tolerance and cooperation serve as their oars to brave the waves, and moral cultivation anchor their vessel, guiding them collectively towards a brighter, more promising horizon.

Issue Letter of Appointment to alumni directors

Towards the end of the ceremony, Luo Yong presented the Letter of Appointment to the alumni directors of the DESS 2024. The ceremony ended successfully with all the people singing the Tsinghua University anthem.

Written by Wang Jiayin