The 2026 Graduate Commencement Ceremony of the School of Urban Planning and Design, Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, was successfully held. Faculty representatives, alumni representatives, graduating students, and guests gathered to witness this important milestone and celebrate the graduates’ completion of their studies and their embarkation on new journeys.
The ceremony included speeches by faculty representatives, alumni representatives, and student representatives, the announcement of outstanding graduates and outstanding class advisors, the awarding of honors, the degree conferral and tassel-turning ritual, as well as cultural performances and interactive activities. The event was marked by a solemn yet warm atmosphere, reflecting both gratitude for the past and aspirations for the future.
Faculty Remarks: Encouragement and Expectations for the Future
In their speeches, faculty representatives extended sincere congratulations to all graduates for successfully completing their studies and delivering an important stage of their academic journey. Teachers noted that graduation is both the end of an academic stage and the beginning of a new life journey. They encouraged students of territorial spatial planning and related disciplines to develop clear personal development plans, define their goals and pathways, and remain grounded in practice as they move forward.
Faculty members expressed the hope that graduates will continue to pursue lifelong learning, remain dedicated to their work, and strive for excellence in their respective fields. They also wished all graduates good health, kindness, and continued brilliance in their future endeavors, encouraging them to uphold a positive and resilient attitude in the face of complexity and change.
Several teachers shared heartfelt reflections on accompanying students throughout their academic journey. They expressed pride in witnessing students’ growth from entry to graduation and encouraged graduates, whether continuing their studies or entering new professional roles, to maintain connection with the School and continue to grow and thrive.
Alumni Address: Grounded Growth and Lifelong Learning
The alumni representative delivered a speech entitled “Rooted in Practice, Releasing the Power of Growth.” He congratulated the graduates on completing their studies and expressed gratitude to the School and faculty members for their long-term cultivation and support.
Reflecting on his own academic and professional journey, he shared insights on “growth through being grounded,” emphasizing the importance of staying close to practice, maintaining humility, and continuously surpassing oneself in professional development. He encouraged graduates to remain lifelong learners, to deepen their expertise in their respective fields, and to steadily advance toward excellence.
He noted that teachers are the fertile soil that nurtures student growth, while students are the fruits of that cultivation. He encouraged graduates to embrace challenges with confidence, remain resilient in the face of uncertainty, and continue growing into capable professionals contributing to society.
Student Representative Speech: A Journey Shaped by the Spirit of Peking University and the Bay Area
Outstanding graduate representative Liu Benteng delivered a speech on behalf of the graduating class. He first expressed sincere gratitude to all faculty members who have devoted themselves to student training, as well as to family members, friends, and classmates who have accompanied the graduates throughout their journey.
He reflected that three years earlier, students arrived in Shenzhen Graduate School with aspirations shaped by the spirit of Peking University, the speed of Shenzhen, and the vibrant development of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area. At that time, they may not have fully understood the meaning of “urban planning,” but through years of study and practice, they gradually came to realize that what they gained was not only academic training and degrees, but also the intellectual foundation, disciplinary perspective, and sense of responsibility cultivated by Peking University and the School.
He emphasized that urban planning can be understood at multiple scales—from national territory and urban futures to the most ordinary aspects of daily life, such as a streetlight, a road segment, or a properly arranged livelihood. He encouraged graduates to remember this dual breadth and depth of the discipline and to continue responding to the needs of society with professional dedication.
He concluded his speech by wishing all graduates a bright future and a successful journey ahead.
Commendation and Degree Conferral Ceremony
During the ceremony, outstanding class advisors and outstanding graduates were formally recognized. Faculty representatives presented certificates of honor to award recipients and took group photographs in celebration of their achievements. These honors serve as recognition of past efforts and as encouragement for future development.
The ceremony then proceeded to the degree conferral and tassel-turning ritual. Graduates stepped onto the stage in sequence to receive their degrees and undergo the symbolic tassel-turning performed by faculty members. The tassel, moved from the right side to the left side of the cap, signified the successful completion of one stage of academic life and the formal commencement of a new journey.
At this moment, years of study and effort found their echo; farewells carried weight and meaning; and youth set out from campus toward wider horizons.
Graduates will henceforth carry the identity of Peking University urban planning professionals and proceed to diverse cities, sectors, and positions. They will continue to respond to the questions of the times in fields such as scientific research, urban governance, spatial planning, public services, industrial development, and social construction.
Cultural Performances and Interactive Activities
Following the formal ceremony, a series of cultural performances and interactive activities were held. A graduation video titled “Radiant Journey of Research, Infinite Galaxy” was presented, revisiting familiar campus scenes and heartfelt messages from teachers and peers, offering a vivid remembrance of shared academic life.
Teachers and students performed musical and artistic programs, including song medleys, solo performances, and dance pieces, expressing blessings, gratitude, and farewell sentiments. Interactive games and lucky draws further enlivened the atmosphere, filling the venue with laughter, applause, and warm emotion.
Closing Reflections
The ceremony concluded with group photographs and closing remarks. Over the past three years, students experienced growth through coursework, research group meetings, academic writing, fieldwork, and countless late-night efforts. These shared experiences have become an integral part of their collective memory.
The School extended its sincere wishes to all graduates: may they remain healthy, kind, and brilliant; may they continue to advance step by step toward higher goals; and may they always remember their time at Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School and the School of Urban Planning and Design.
May they carry forward the spirit of “radiant research journeys and infinite possibilities,” and continue their pursuit of excellence in the wider world.
May mountains and rivers be vast, and may we meet again in the future.
