On the evening of July 3, SUES hosted its 2026 Commencement and Degree Conferral Ceremony at the Songjiang Campus Gymnasium. The grand event brought together all SUES leaders, members of the University Degree Evaluation Committee, representatives of various departments, schools, alumni, and faculty, alongside the Class of 2026 graduates and their families.
The ceremony opened with a series of student performances, setting the tone for the stadium. The special musical performance The Sea of Stars evoked the graduates’ aspirations for the future with its melodious tunes, while the dance performance Starting Life Anew showcased the spirit of SUES youth through dynamic choreography. Adding to the emotional depth, a poetry recitation titled “Embarking on Spinovation, Shaping a New Era” by faculty and students illustrated the university’s unique “Engineering × Management × Design” (3-Wings) talent development model and the graduates’ steadfast commitment to their future endeavors.
He Li, Secretary of the CPC SUES Committee, joined outstanding graduate representatives on stage to launch the “Sailing into the Future” installation, illuminating the departure light that symbolizes a brilliant future ahead.
SUES President Lou Yongqi’s inspiring keynote address filled with heartfelt advice, offering the graduates three core insights for personal growth. He first encouraged them to maintain a well-balanced mindset and move forward with composure, noting that a positive attitude toward the unknown is one of the most valuable assets gained from university. He then advised them to balance long-term vision with immediate action, emphasizing that one must hold onto high ideals while remaining firmly grounded. He also urged them to stay true to their course and act with steady perseverance, reminding them that while the pace of pursuing dreams can be adjusted, one must never deviate from their original aspirations. Drawing on the inspiring stories of role models, President Lou reminded the graduates that while the path ahead may be challenging, perseverance is key. He expressed his hope that the Class of 2026 would carry forward the SUES spirit of innovation and practical dedication, dare to explore new territories, and write their own extraordinary chapters through hard work.
Zhu Xiaoqing, Deputy Secretary of the CPC SUES Committee, announced the list of graduates entering grassroots employment.
Meng Xing, Deputy Secretary of the CPC SUES Committee, announced the graduates admitted to doctoral and master’s programs.
Vice President Xu Yang presided over the commencement.
Vice President Wang Yansong presented the Decision of the Degree Evaluation Committee of Shanghai University of Engineering Sciences on Conferring Master’s and Bachelor’s Degrees.
Vice President Xia Chunming announced the 2026 Alumni Liaison Ambassadors.
Vice President Xu Kaiyu honored the outstanding graduates recognized by both the Shanghai Municipality and SUES.
On behalf of the alumni, Wu Jun, a 1997 graduate in Aviation Mechanics and Electronics and current Vice President of JD Airlines, shared reflections on his 26-year career. He recounted his journey from a frontline maintenance crew member to a commercial airline captain who piloted the maiden flight of the carrier’s first Airbus A330 wide-body freighter. Reflecting on his philosophy of “taking root in the industry and aiming for the sky”, he encouraged his younger peers to push their professional skills to the absolute limit, steer their career paths with national strategic goals, and strive to become versatile professionals with both technical depth and broad communication skills.
Speaking on behalf of the graduates, Chen Zhongyuan, a 2026 outstanding graduate of Shanghai and a master’s student of School of Materials Science and Engineering, reflected on his journey from a small town in northern Jiangsu to the SUES. Under his advisor’s guidance, his research focused on surface protective coatings for high-end marine engineering equipment, eventually achieving a practical technological breakthrough. As he prepares to transition into the field of Electronic Packaging Technology, Chen expressed his commitment to addressing critical industrial bottlenecks in chip-supporting materials and strengthening the foundation of domestic chip manufacturing.
Representing the parents, Mr. Mei Zhaoying expressed heartfelt gratitude to SUES. He shared stories of his child’s growth, from researching urban study rooms alongside advisors to staying in rural villages to compile local chronicles, highlighting the resilience his child developed along the way. Drawing from his own 20-year career in the brazing materials industry—where he successfully broke foreign technological monopolies, Mr. Mei encouraged the graduates to dedicate their personal efforts to the progress of the era, wishing them bright futures and hoping for the university’s continued prosperity.
Faculty representative Professor Xin Binjie, Dean of School of Textiles and Fashion, shared the design inspiration behind the exclusive academic gowns worn by the Class of 2026. He left the graduates with three charges: to keep the nation’s core interests in mind by inheriting the scientific spirit; to utilize their “3-Wings” cross-disciplinary skills to confidently break down institutional walls in real-world scenarios; and do solid work that brings warmth and strength to society.
The ceremony reached climax as the entire gymnasium joined in singing the alma mater. University leadership and members of the Degree Evaluation Committee then performed the traditional turning of the tassels and presented certificates to each graduate, offering their congratulations.
As the parting song signaled the start of a new chapter, the Class of 2026 prepared to embark on their journeys, equipped with the character and expertise forged at SUES. While the path ahead promises both challenges and opportunities, may the graduates shine brightly wherever they land, find deep meaning in the careers they love, and let their youth bloom with the unique brilliance of SUESers as they contribute to the development of a modern country.
