ZJU — Our beloved, forever!

Zijingang Campus is draped in fresh spring greenery, as a gentle breeze stirs the air and butterflies dance gracefully among aromatic blossoms. The season of renewal mirrors the spirit of new beginnings, painting a scene brimming with life and promise.

On the afternoon of March 31, Zhejiang University held the Graduate School Commencement Ceremony for the Class of 2025. More than 2,000 graduates stood on the threshold of their next great journey, resolute, ambitious, and ready to take flight like falcons soaring into boundless skies.

Above the sea of graduates, the university flag fluttered, a symbol of their journey, both light as a dream and weighty with memory. As their fingertips brushed against its fabric, they carried with them a tinge of nostalgia. The flag bore not just the colors of their alma mater, but the hopes and aspirations of a generation stepping boldly into the future.

“This is my first commencement ceremony as president of Zhejiang University. In these past days, I have immersed myself in the university’s glorious traditions. Our motto — Seeking Truth and Pursuing Innovation — is inscribed with profound meanings. Through the lens of traditional Chinese philosophy, ‘Seeking Truth’ is our essence — our fundamental, inherent, and intrinsic demand. ‘Pursuing Innovation’ is our function—our expressive, practical and active demand. our action, and our bold pursuit of the future. In my view, innovation and creativity are its very soul.”

With these words, President MA Yanming, a Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, extended his heartfelt congratulations to the graduates. In his speech, titled Innovation and Creativity Are the Soul of Zhejiang University, he urged graduates to let innovation power their dreams and entrepreneurship fuel their future. “The world is your oyster. This is your moment — a time of boundless potential and limitless opportunity,” he said. “May each of you respond boldly—to yourself, your family, your society, your nation, and the world—through innovation and creation.”

In his remarks, President Ma underscored the essence of ZJU’s spirit, calling on graduates to stay open-minded and break through disciplinary boundaries, to uphold a strong moral compass grounded in ZJU’s tradition of seeking truth, and to pursue broad, deep learning that leads to meaningful innovation. Above all, he urged them to anchor their aspirations in service to the nation—cultivating insight, creativity, and the courage to explore uncharted frontiers, and using innovation to help shoulder the future of the country and the world.

Joining the ceremony was XIE Zuowei, a distinguished alumnus of the Class of 1983 in the Department of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Speaking on behalf of ZJU alumni, Xie offered three reflections—legacy, perseverance, and gratitude. He urged graduates to carry forward ZJU’s spirit of “seeking truth and innovation,” remain steadfast in their convictions, and give back to those who supported them along the way. 

Professor FAN Jianren from the College of Energy Engineering spoke as a faculty representative. Drawing on his dual role as mentor and alumnus, he encouraged graduates to serve the nation with purpose, embrace lifelong learning, and commit to long-term growth. “Stay grounded in truth-seeking and innovation,” he said, “and write your own brilliant chapter on the grand stage of life.” 

Representing the graduating class, ZHUO Yuqi, a master’s student from the the School of International Studies, reflected on her years at ZJU. “The campus is where our aspirations took root, where our spirit of exploration was nurtured, and where our convictions grew strong. No matter where life takes us, let’s always remember—we are ZJUers, the stewards of its legacy.”

As tassels were turned and degrees conferred, the ceremony closed with a shared spirit of gratitude, ambition, and a deep sense of belonging to the ever-growing global ZJU community.

Adapted and translated from the article by JIN Lina, CHEN Shilu, JIN Sirui
Translator: FANG Fumin
Photos by ZHU Yuanzhi, LU Shaoqin, ZHOU Xinyue, FAN Xinyu, ZHE Ying  
Editor: TIAN Minjie