On the evening of June 27th, the 2025 Commencement and Degree Conferral Ceremony of SUES was solemnly held at the Songjiang Campus Gymnasium. The event was attended by the entire university leadership, members of the Academic Degree Evaluation Committee, deans of various schools and colleges, heads of relevant departments, alumni representatives, faculty members, counselors of graduating classes, and representatives of the Class of 2025.
Secretary of the CPC SUES CommitteeLi Jiang, President Lou Yongqi, together with all university leaders and committee members, turned the tassels and conferred degree certificates to the graduates. They also extended heartfelt advice and earnest expectations for their future journeys.
Secretary Li Jiang and the graduate representatives jointly lit the “Lighthouse of Dreams” and released symbolic “Dream Balloons”, sending off the graduates toward a bright future. He encouraged students to engrave firm beliefs deep in their hearts, to embody the spirit of action, to dream boldly, and to remain compassionate and grounded. He envisioned their footprints shining across the fields of rural revitalization, frontiers of technological innovation, and the forefront of public service, becoming eternal stars in the galaxy of progress.
President Lou Yongqi delivered a memorable “final lecture” from a robotic podium, touching on themes of ceremony, memory, and new beginnings. Through the metaphor of a friendly match of self-evolution, he invited graduates to embark on a shared journey of transformation: “As you set sail, your alma mater is also entering a fast-paced race toward reinvention—one year, one new look; three years, a grand transformation. Let’s see who runs faster and farther on the path to becoming better!” President Lou revealed the three core “genetic codes” of SUES students: the industry gene rooted in real-world applications, the mission to make “technology” shine globally, and the innovative Golden Tri-rotor of interdisciplinary education. He declared with confidence: “Become the best version of yourself, and you become a new benchmark for the world.”Amid the AI-driven transformation of society, he offered three pieces of advice. First the graduates should know who they areand learn to appreciate their uniqueness and develop their strengths. Second, the graduates should remember where they come from, and understand the times, societal needs, and their inner passions. And finally, the graduates should know where they are going, use SUES’ strengths in practicality and cross-disciplinary thinking to become engineers who understand design and management, designers who grasp engineering and management, and managers who master engineering and design. He emphasized that SUES students should not only serve current industries but also strive to create new ones, and that SUES and its students share a common goal: to become pillars of Shanghai’s industrial future and to build a world-class, application-oriented innovative university.
Deputy Secretary of the CPC SUES Committee Zhu Xiaoqing announced the list of graduates committed to grassroots service.
Deputy Secretary of the CPC SUES Committee Meng Xing read out the names of those admitted to doctoral and master's programs.
Vice President Xu Yang presided over the ceremony.
Vice President Wang Yansong read the official decision to confer bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
Vice President Xia Chunming announced the 2025 Alumni Liaison Ambassadors.
Vice President Xu Kaiyu announced the recipients of the “Outstanding Graduate of Shanghai” award.
SUES leader Shi Jianyong announced the list of “Outstanding SUES Graduates.”
Professor Gao Zhu from School of Art and Design, representing all faculty advisors, gave a heartfelt speech. He encouraged graduates to become sharp “problem hunters,” confidently share their “China stories” on the global stage, live with resilience and purpose, and uphold warmth and humanity as they pursue dreams under the stars.
Lu Yong, a SUES alumnus from the Class of 1985, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Data Commerce Association, and Deputy General Manager of the Shanghai Data Exchange, shared his inspiring journey through challenges and urged students to keep learning, develop core and soft skills, and face new opportunities with professionalism and perseverance.
Graduate representative Chang Siyu, a recipient of the “Outstanding Graduate of Shanghai” award and future PhD candidate at Dong Hua University, shared her academic journey, contributing to national research and innovation efforts. Undergraduate representative Feng Feiyu, also an Outstanding Graduate and admitted to Tongji University’s master's program, reflected on his evolving roles—from urban safety guardian to campus journalist—while holding true to SUES’ spirit of service and dedication.
A highlight of the ceremony was its unique stage design: a main stage flanked by two interactive side stages, symbolizing SUES’ interdisciplinary Tri-rotor model of engineering, design, and management studies.
A futuristic “Tech × Art” performance captivated the audience. The opening featured G1 robots and students from the street dance club performing “Intelligent Future”, merging science fiction and artistry. Renowned artist Chen Junkai conducted a joint performance of the University’s wind band and the automated instrument installation Harmony, blending traditional acoustic elements with modern technology. An AI-generated video titled The Days on Longteng Road used surreal imagery and vivid visual effects to celebrate student life. The ceremony culminated in a cross-dimensional AI-generated class portrait created by Finnish designer Prof. Jarmo Suominen, a Shanghai Magnolia Award winner, alongside a robotic arm. Prof. Jarmo illustrated the background, while the robotic arm used students’ facial data and personal keywords to craft personalized avatars—producing a stunning visual tapestry that embodied both technological innovation and design aesthetics.
As the graduates set sail on a new chapter, filled with both challenges and opportunities, SUES extends its warmest wishes. May the Class of 2025 grow alongside the times, walk with the nation, and shine brilliantly in the journey ahead—bringing youthful strength to the great cause of Chinese modernization.