Peking University, July 3, 2026:  Peking University held a commencement ceremony on July 3 for the postgraduate Class of 2026 at Khoo Teck Puat Sports Complex, continuing the celebratory atmosphere from the previous day's undergraduate graduation.

The ceremony was attended by He Guangcai, chair of PKU Council, and Gao Song, president of PKU, among other university leaders, along with alumni and distinguished faculty members from PKU and partner universities. It was hosted by Zhang Jin, executive vice president of PKU, and the degree conferral decision was announced by Jiang Guohua, vice chair of PKU Council.

International student representative Imogen Parsley, a master’s student from the United Kingdom at Yenching Academy, shared how her studies at PKU took her "beyond the classroom" and into local communities. 

Fieldwork on Yi ethnic medicine in Yunnan and research in rural Fujian on aging showed her that knowledge should not remain "sealed in books." These experiences later inspired her and her peers to launch InterGen, a public service project connecting international students with elderly residents in Beijing. 

For her, studying at PKU was "not only about writing papers, but also about responding to real human needs."
 


Chen Yiming, a doctoral student from the School of Stomatology, drew life lessons from his dental training. 

He noted that the part of the human tooth hidden beneath the gums is often longer than the visible part—only with a deep root can a tooth withstand a lifetime of wear. The same is true of achievements, which can often be underpinned by years of quiet persistence.

"It takes time and patience to conduct scientific research, which cannot be rushed with undue haste," said Chen, assuring the audience that sure and steady work eventually pays off.
 


Faculty representative Qiu Zeqi, a Boya Distinguished Professor in the Department of Sociology, offered advice on adapting to digitalization and artificial intelligence, urging graduates to approach a creative era with responsibility, independent thinking, curiosity and a lifelong commitment to learning.

"Algorithms may offer answers, platforms may arrange encounters, and data may assign value…but human agency depends on the ability to think, question, and choose for oneself."

He encouraged graduates to "stay true to their original aspirations" and preserve the conscious freedom to decide what kind of life is worth living. 
 


Alumni representative Wu Minghui, founder, chairman and CEO of Mininglamp Technology, shared his entrepreneurial journey. 

He recalled that when his company faced a major setback, he returned to fundamental research and often worked long hours. It was during this period that he gradually came to understand what he truly liked. He said, "Compared with being a CEO, I prefer being a CTO."

His career experience led him to realize that graduation is not the end of research and that research does not necessarily have to take place in a laboratory. “As long as we carry a spirit of inquiry, we are all scientists in life and work.”
 


Finally, Gao Song delivered a speech encouraging the graduates to align their personal aspirations with the needs of society. He highlighted outstanding PKU alumni who have devoted themselves to frontline work, citing Professor Dong Bin and the graduating student Chen Boyuan as examples. Both of them have made breakthroughs in AI research, driven by the same conviction that they can achieve what others think is impossible.

He used these examples to illustrate the point that even the most advanced technologies and algorithms have to be grounded in moral principles and the welfare of humanity.

He also expressed hope that international students of PKU would bring their experiences in China back to their home countries and help promote mutual understanding and closer ties.

As PKU students of a new era, he said, they should shoulder responsibility while embracing a broad global vision and treating different civilizations with "equality, inclusiveness and respect."
 

As the postgraduate Class of 2026 leaves campus, the PKU spirit will continue to guide them: to keep learning, to stay connected to real-world issues, and to turn knowledge into meaningful service for others.  

Reported by: Leow Kai Lim
Edited by: Chen Shizhuo
Photo by: Wang Ziqian, Guo Mengjiao, Ji Haoyu, Lin Feiyu, Zhang Lingxin, Gao Zihan, Zou Mingzhi, Li Xianghua, Liu Yan, Liu Luyi