On the afternoon of June 24, 2025, the graduation ceremony for the 2025 graduate class of Peking University’s School of Urban Planning and Design was held successfully. Dean Pengjun Zhao, Professor Jiansheng Wu, Professor De Tong, Professor Zhaoya Gong, Professor Haoran Zhang, Professor Jiawen Yang, Professor Mengzhu Zhang, Professor Yilin Chen, as well as administrative staff, alumni representative Dan Li, student representatives from various grades, and graduate student association staff members all gathered to bid farewell to the graduating students.
Opening Introduction and Dean’s Speech
After the hosts Hongdi Fu and Xinyun Yu introduced the ceremony, Dean Pengjun Zhao took the stage to deliver his speech. Dean Zhao extended his warmest congratulations to the graduates on behalf of the School of Urban Planning and Design. He praised the graduates for their resilience and courage in the face of difficulties, highlighting their tenacious spirit and unyielding perseverance. He expressed his high expectations for the graduates, urging them to always be grateful and to remember the earnest teachings of their professors. He hoped that they would continue to move forward with a strong sense of patriotism, a steady pace, and a broad-mindedness, contributing their wisdom and strength to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. Dean Zhao expressed his belief and anticipation that the urban planning graduates would achieve even greater success in the future.
Hosts Hongdi Fu and Xinyun Yu
Dean Zhao’s Speech
Speech by the Class Advisor
Master’s class advisor Professor Zhaoya Gong reviewed the past three years, during which the students demonstrated outstanding performance in academic research, campus services, and extracurricular activities. He highlighted the numerous honors awarded by Peking University, as well as the excellent achievements in academic paper publications and competitions like the Challenge Cup, which showcased the students’ innovation and academic capabilities. Additionally, the students actively participated in campus services and social public welfare activities, demonstrating a strong sense of social responsibility. In extracurricular activities, the students displayed their youthful vitality and passion. Professor Gong noted that graduation marks the beginning of a new journey and encouraged the students to continue contributing to society with passion and courage. He expressed his reluctance to part with the graduates and extended his best wishes, hoping they would often return to “home.”
Professor Gong’s Speech
Speech by a Graduate Representative
Graduate student Zhaoxiang Li, an outstanding graduate of the 25th class, spoke on behalf of all the graduates. Zhaoxiang Li reflected on his three years of study at the school. This experience allowed him to deeply understand the “ever-renewing” spirit of Peking University and the responsibilities of “urban planners” and “geographers.” He learned to think about issues related to development and protection, equity, and sustainability. He expressed his gratitude to the professors who not only taught the theories of urban planning and design but also guided students to delve into reality and understand the stories and human warmth behind cities. He also thanked his family for their support, his friends for their companionship, and his classmates for their joint efforts. As he looked forward to his future career, he was filled with anticipation, determined to display the demeanor of Peking University urban planning students—rigorous and pragmatic scholarship, a spirit of innovation, and a sense of national responsibility—no matter which direction we chose.
Graduate Student Zhaoxiang Li’s Speech
Speech by an Alumni Representative
Alumni representative Dan Li, an outstanding graduate from the 15th class of the School of Urban Planning and Design and currently an assistant professor at Shenzhen Technology University’s School of Creative Design, addressed the audience. Dan Li first congratulated the graduating students and expressed her gratitude to her alma mater and teachers. She reflected on her time at Peking University and how it significantly impacted her professional growth, interpersonal relationships, and academic dreams. She then shared her experiences of studying at the University of Cambridge, returning to China after completing her Ph.D., and joining Shenzhen Technology University. She called on everyone to seize the pulse of the times, take on social responsibilities, uphold the spirit of Peking University, pursue excellence, and serve the country and society. She wished everyone a healthy and happy life in the future.
Alumni Representative Dan Li’s Speech
Wishes from Mentors
Following this was the segment where all the teachers offered their wishes to the students. Professor De Tong reminded the students that once they enter the workforce, the evaluation system will be more diverse and encouraged them to try new things, which might bring unexpected rewards. Professor Jiansheng Wu congratulated the students on completing their studies and wished them a brilliant life ahead. Professor Haoran Zhang lamented the swift passage of time and urged the students to remember their teachers’ teachings and forge ahead bravely. Teacher Ruiyi Wang wished the students a bright future. Teacher Bei Wang hoped the students would often return to visit their alma mater. Teacher Chunyan Yang wished the students smooth sailing in their future careers. Teacher Wenjing Chang hoped the students would stay in touch with their teachers. Teacher Yuye Qiu wished the students a smooth journey ahead, filled with peace and joy.Teacher Zhexing Yi encouraged the students to continue meeting and interacting with people of high caliber after leaving Peking University, creating new and exciting opportunities.
Wishes from Jiansheng Wu, De Tong, Haoran Zhang, Bei Wang, Ruiyi Wang, Chunyan Yang, Wenjing Chang, Yuye Qiu, and Zhexing Yi
Award Ceremony
Professor Haoran Zhang announced the list of outstanding graduates. The awardees, including Zhaoxiang Li, Zheng Zhang, Yixiao Yang, Jinfeng Lu, and Songyue Liu, took the stage for a group photo.
Outstanding Graduates Group Photo
Cord-Cutting Ceremony
Subsequently, the list of graduates was read aloud, and the mentors performed the cord-cutting ceremony for the graduates. Moving the tassel from the right side to the left side of the graduation cap symbolizes the end of one stage and the beginning of a new journey. After the ceremony, the graduates expressed their gratitude to their mentors by presenting them with flowers and taking a group photo.
Mentors Performing the Cord-Cutting Ceremony for Graduates
Graduates’ Group Photo
Flower Presentation
Cultural Performance and Lottery Draw
Next came the cultural performance segment. Before the show began, everyone watched a special graduation blessing video. This video, filled with messages and best wishes from teachers and students, conveyed deep affection and high expectations for the graduates.
After the video concluded, the cultural performance officially started. First, graduate student Yue Wei performed a classical guitar solo titled “Starry Sky,” opening the show with a melodious tune. Next, Ge Zhan delivered a solo song titled “A Journey Through the Mountains,” whose beautiful singing earned thunderous applause. Finally, Wenqian Zhang sang “No Limits in the Sky,” conveying her blessings for the graduates to break through their limits and inspiring cheers from the audience.
Yue Wei: Classical Guitar Solo “Starry Sky”
Ge Zhan: Solo Song “A Journey Through the Mountains” Wenqian Zhang: Solo Song “No Limits in the Sky”
Memory Challenge Game and Lottery Draw
The event then moved into a game segment titled “Memory Challenge.” Pictures were displayed on a large screen for 10 seconds each. After the observation period, questions were randomly asked. The graduates responded quickly and competed to answer, filling the venue with laughter and applause. The event concluded with a lucky draw, where Teachers Bei Wang and Ruiyi Wang drew the lots and took photos with the lucky winners.
Memory Challenge Game
Lucky Draw Segment
Behind-the-Scenes of the Event
This year, the school prepared exquisite graduation souvenirs for the graduates: custom-made canvas bags, commemorative T-shirts, and passport holders with urban planning themes. Additionally, a graduation album containing photos of all the graduates and teachers was provided for everyone to reminisce and cherish. Each graduate also received a small bouquet of flowers.
Custom-Made Graduation Gifts from the School
We also extend our sincere thanks to the teachers and students who worked tirelessly and meticulously to organize the graduation ceremony!
Graduation Ceremony Venue
Epilogue
Time flies, and after three years of hard work on the path of learning, you have forged ahead. As the years pass swiftly and the legacy continues, you have raised the sails of growth together. Now, standing at the crossroads of graduation, may every graduate of the 2025 class of the School of Urban Planning and Design at Peking University carry the school’s heartfelt blessings and earnest expectations, head to all corners of the world, and write their own brilliant chapters in the vast world, fulfilling their dreams and enjoying a bright future!
-A Bright Future Awaits-
