Peking University, June 16, 2026: Before the ceremony began, the first-floor lobby of Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) was already filled with the atmosphere of commencement day. Graduates, families, and friends gathered for photos with bouquets, laurel wreaths, and graduation-themed decorations.In one corner stood a large replica of Peking University’s iconic West Gate, flanked by 3D stone lions. Nearby, a small brass bell waited to be rung, its clear sound echoing the theme of setting sail on a new journey. 

Graduates pose for photos before the ceremony

 

 
Inside the B2 auditorium, soft stage lights illuminated the venue as graduates took their seats. This year, PHBS celebrated 739 graduates from the PhD, MA, MBA, EMBA, and Master of China Studies programs, joined by more than 1,500 faculty members, family members, and guests. A live broadcast in the first-floor lobby allowed more families and friends to share in the ceremony. 
 

 
The ceremony began with the entrance of school leaders, distinguished guests, mentors, and program flags, followed by a graduation video. As familiar faces and moments from their time at PHBS appeared on screen, graduates applauded, laughed, and looked back on the years that had brought them to this day. They then stood to sing “Love for PKU,” a song dedicated to the university that had become part of their story.

 


Voices from the Graduates



Three graduate representatives, Li Yueqing from the MA in Economics program, Zeng Bolun from the MBA program, and Lei Ming from the EMBA program, delivered a joint commencement speech titled “Starting from PHBS,” reflecting on how the school had shaped their journeys.

Li Yueqing spoke about late-night conversations, cross-cultural experiences in the UK and Singapore, and a broader worldview gained through her studies. Zeng Bolun reflected on leaving his job to return to school and working through challenging business simulations with his team. Lei Ming recalled the 121-kilometer Gobi Challenge, where his team crossed the finish line together, not for rankings, but for solidarity.
 

 
Luo Weite from the Master in China Studies program and Patrick Psotta from Germany, a Master of Finance graduate, also delivered speeches and shared reflections from their time at PHBS. Luo spoke briefly about connecting learning with real life, while Patrick recalled arriving in Shenzhen, where everything felt fast and unfamiliar. 
 
 
“I think for many international students, there was one small, almost insignificant moment: saying a few words in Chinese and seeing someone smile back,” Patrick said. At PHBS, classmates from different backgrounds worked together, turning cultural differences into valuable assets. The experience changed his perspective, giving him friendships across borders and a sense of belonging. For him, PHBS is “a place where the world feels smaller, and our ambitions feel bigger.”
 
Words of Wisdom
 

 
Chen Liang, tenured associate professor at PHBS, delivered an address titled “Causal Thinking in the Age of AI.”He spoke about the importance of looking beyond patterns and predictions to understand the real logic behind decisions. AI may tell us what is likely to happen, he said, but people must still ask why. He encouraged graduates to stay alert to false correlations, keep their common sense and independent thinking, and hold on to the pursuit of truth in a fast-changing world. 
 
 
Jing Yidan, broadcasting director at China Media Group and former anchor at China Central Television, drew on her own life and career to offer four pieces of advice to the graduates: cherish what moves you, communicate actively, adjust your mindset, and seek wise mentors.

Genuine inspiration, Jing noted, can help people continue to grow throughout life. Communication remains essential, especially when human connection and empathy are more valuable than ever. Life after campus, she reminded graduates, will not always go smoothly, but learning to shift one’s perspective can help them face uncertainty with steadiness. She also encouraged them to keep learning from people who inspire them, challenge them, and help them see more clearly.
 

 
Wang Pengfei, Peking University Boya Distinguished Professor and Dean of PHBS, delivered the commencement speech “To Honor, To Cherish, To Set Forth.” He said that a PHBS education is meant not only to help students earn a diploma, but also to build inner strength, remain steady in uncertain times, and grow under pressure.

While AI can process data efficiently, he said, it cannot replace human kindness, responsibility, courage, or creativity. He encouraged graduates to remember that in the AI era, the rarest quality is not intelligence, but the resolve to take the slow, honest path without shortcuts.
 

 
Following PHBS tradition, Hai Wen, chairman of the PHBS Council and founding dean of PHBS, shared his graduation blessing with the Class of 2026. This year, in honor of the Year of the Horse, his blessing featured a painting of a galloping horse.

In his remarks, Hai reflected on the qualities often associated with horses: courage, steady progress, endurance, and loyalty. He wished the graduates the speed to run fast and the strength to travel far, with the courage to move forward and the heart to remember where they came from.
 
Setting Sail

As each graduate's name was called, they walked across the stage to have their tassel turned by Hai Wen, marking the formal completion of their studies. In the first-floor lobby and through the online livestream, families and friends followed the moment as graduates took this important step.
 
 

 
From left to right: Assistant Dean Chen Liang, Associate Dean Young Joon Park, Assistant Dean Liu Baixiao, and Associate Dean Ouyang Liangyi announce graduates' names
 

After the ceremony, graduates emerged from the auditorium to flowers, congratulations, and warm embraces from families and friends. Many paused for photos with advisors, professors, classmates, and loved ones. In front of a bright red backdrop featuring the theme "Setting Sail on a New Journey, Ringing the Bell to Embark,” visitors were invited to ring a small brass bell. Its clear sound stood out among the cheerful noise, marking both an ending and a beginning.

As the Class of 2026 sets forth on a new journey, they leave PHBS with the support of those who guided, taught, and stood beside them.
 
Photo Highlights
 

Source: PHBS