On the afternoon of June 22, the School of Economics and Management (SEM) at China University of Petroleum (East China) held its 2025 Commencement and Degree Conferral Ceremony at the university gymnasium. A total of 390 postgraduate and 349 undergraduate students marked the successful completion of their academic journey at UPC, ready to embark on a new chapter of life. SEM leadership, discipline leaders, department heads, faculty representatives, administrative staff, and parents gathered to celebrate this momentous occasion. The ceremony was hosted by Professor Liu Bingquan, Vice Dean of SEM and doctoral supervisor.
Amidst the solemn sounds of the national anthem, all participants stood in unison as the ceremony formally began.
Wang Ying, representative of the undergraduate Class of 2025, reflected on four years of study, student life, and the job-seeking journey. Expressing heartfelt gratitude to the school and faculty, she shared her resolve to carry forward the SEM spirit with dedication and responsibility into the future, and extended best wishes to classmates and teachers.
Ming Jian, representative of the part-time postgraduate students, spoke about his three-year experience balancing work and study. He expressed appreciation for the guidance from professors, the support of peers, and the encouragement of family. He pledged to use what he had learned to contribute to the country and the times.
Zheng Weijia, a full-time master's graduate, shared: “Eight years at UPC, a lifetime bond with SEM. From an eager freshman in 2017 to a confident postgraduate graduate today, I’ve gained not only a deep understanding of economic patterns and social development, but also a strong sense of national responsibility and a pursuit of truth. No matter where we go, we will remember our alma mater and live by the SEM spirit—pursuing excellence with sincerity and integrity.”
Che Shuai, a PhD graduate in Management Science and Engineering, looked back on his ten-year journey at UPC since 2015. He shared reflections on belief and responsibility, resilience and pragmatism, and legacy and mission. On behalf of all doctoral graduates, he solemnly pledged: “As inheritors of the UPC spirit, we will take on the responsibilities of our times with courage and conviction.”
Professor Fan Qiufang, a faculty representative from the Department of Economics—and also an alumna of the Class of 1983—delivered a touching address. Having dedicated 38 years to teaching, she thanked the students for inspiring her and shaping her career. She offered three heartfelt life lessons and encouraged graduates to become professionals with depth, breadth, and warmth, reminding them that their alma mater would always be their home port.
Professor Wang Jun, Party Secretary of SEM and doctoral supervisor, delivered the keynote address. On behalf of the school, he extended heartfelt congratulations to all graduates. He acknowledged their efforts and contributions, which have brought honor to the university and driven SEM’s development toward becoming a distinctive and impactful business school. As graduates prepare to take flight, Professor Wang shared three messages of hope:
Uphold the UPC spirit—persevere with patriotism and strive for excellence.
Embrace the new era—be trendsetters, not drifters.
Live with grounded vitality—be vibrant cultivators of a meaningful life.
He concluded: “The sky is vast, and the winds are strong—may you all sail forward boldly and write a brilliant chapter worthy of your youth and SEM.”
Following the keynote, Professor Jian Ling, Chair of the Degree Evaluation Committee, together with program directors and faculty representatives including Professors Wang Jun, Liu Bingquan, Sun Yanfang, Li Yongbo, Huang Changsheng, and Bai Yang, conferred degrees to all 2025 graduates.
As the ceremony drew to a close, graduates presented flowers and words of gratitude to their professors, capturing their final memories with group photos and heartfelt farewells.
Rooted in UPC, destined for the world—graduates of the Class of 2025 will carry forward SEM’s core values of global vision, national commitment, innovative thinking, and professional excellence. With courage and ambition, they will embrace the challenges of their times—contributing to society at the grassroots, exploring scientific frontiers, and continuing to write their own remarkable chapter as proud SEM alumni.
