June 20 saw Fudan University commencement ceremonies 2025 for undergraduates and postgraduates.
As the sun sets on their undergraduate journey, Fudan University’s Class of 2025 is ready to embark on a new chapter. Their time here has been a tapestry of learning, growth, and unforgettable experiences, each thread woven with the threads of ambition and intellect.
In his speech “Lifelong Learning, Self-Driven Growth”, JIN Li, president of Fudan University, emphasized that innovation is Fudan’s defining quality. What empowers Fudan graduates to continually innovate is not just knowledge, but the spirit of lifelong learning. True freedom and creativity stem from learning. Fudan equips students with autonomy, resilience, and a mindset of self-discovery. Lifelong learning is both the compass and the vessel guiding them through life. “No matter where you go, Fudan will always leave a light on and a door open for you,” he concluded.
ZHOU Peng, vice dean of College of Integrated Circuits and Micro-Nano Electronics, advocates fostering talent by unleashing human creativity. He said that pushing boundaries is integral to Fudan’s spirit. When facing setbacks, problem-solving skills and teamwork are essential. He advised students to build strong teams and always push boundaries in thought and science, as encouraged by the university.
WANG Xinya, a Fudan alumna from the Class of 1993 in Chemistry, met her husband at Fudan—they were classmates and study partners in the university and now business and life partners. She has encountered many fellow Fudaners whom she regards as “Fudan Partners”: trustworthy individuals who share her commitment to common goals. “May you find your ‘Fudan Partner’ at every stage of life and embark on a great journey together.”
CHEN Yushi, a passionate runner and medical student of Class of 2025, joined Fudan’s track team and competed nationally until a ligament injury derailed his path. After surgery by Dr. HUA Yinghui from Fudan's Huashan Hospital, he found a new passion in sports medicine. Just four months post-surgery, he returned to the track and won gold. He later chose Dr. Hua as his doctoral supervisor and embarked on a medical career dedicated to saving lives. Now, he studies injury mechanisms and explores AI in personalized recovery plans. “Fudan taught me to transform speed into research depth,” he said.
“Fudan has become my window to the world,” said Veronika Veliya, a Slovakian student at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs. Passionate about sharing Slovak culture, she won top honors in a national intercultural competition. From academic contests to lively events like singing and cooking competitions, she embraced campus life fully. Now fluent in four languages, she plans to promote global dialogue and cultural exchange after graduation, “Fudan’s ultimate lesson was this: with capability comes responsibility.” Veronika believes she embraces the duty to contribute to the betterment of our shared future.
Transitioning from the halls of academia to life’s broader university, the Class of 2025 postgraduates, they carry more than diplomas they bear the intellectual tools and hard-won resilience to shape tomorrow’s world. Their advanced education have equipped them with the tools to navigate and contribute meaningfully to the complex world that awaits.
In his speech “From University to the ‘University’ of Life”, President JIN Li reminded graduates that life itself is a vast classroom—complex, dynamic, and unpredictable. To thrive, he urged students to embrace new knowledge but maintain the ability to adapt, rethink, and filter through overwhelming information. True wisdom lies not only in solving problems but also in defining them. As they move forward, he encouraged graduates to blend professional excellence with cross-disciplinary thinking and face the world with clarity and courage.
In an era of profound global changes, LIU Zhao, a professor at the Center for Research on Chinese Excavated Classics and Paleography, urged students to be pioneers. He encouraged them to ride the wave of new technologies, embrace uncertainty, and lead in emerging fields. He called on them to innovate with purpose, not just adapt. Armed with Fudan-honed wisdom, passion, and resilience, they are poised to transform challenges into opportunities.
Two months ago, Dr. HU Kui, a Class of 2018 alumnus graduating from the cardiac surgery department at Fudan University Zhongshan Hospital, saved the life of a critically ill patient suffering from a life-threatening left ventricular rupture. He said his years of rigorous training at the Zhongshan Hospital enabled him to quickly stabilize the patient. Hu attributes his composure to the instincts honed during his time at Fudan. He stressed wherever the country or people need you most—go, act, and serve.
SUN Yuqi, who earned his doctoral degree at College of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence this year, started with one goal: to reduce AI model development costs in vertical industries. Under his mentor’s guidance, he pioneered synthetic data usage, proving “small data” can train “big models”. Yuqi’s research bridged theory and application. He identified scientific questions from real-world challenges and founded the company “FlyAI” to develop AI-driven precision instruments.
Encouraged by her Chinese teacher back in St. Petersburg, Melnichuk Mariia at the School of International Relations and Public Affairs came to Fudan. Speaking entirely in Chinese at the ceremony, she shared her deep admiration for the university. From global governance seminars to dragon boat races, her life here has been rich and immersive. Fudan taught her more than academics—it taught her the values of inclusion, collaboration, and empathy. Now fluent in four languages and grounded in intercultural understanding, she hopes to build bridges between China and the rest of the world.
Dear graduates, no matter where life takes you, your alma mater will always leave a light on and a door open for you. Hats off to the Class of 2025!
Writer: ZHANG Xinyue
Editor: WANG Mengqi, LI Yijie
