On June 19, the 2024 graduation ceremony of the Nankai University School of Finance was held on the lawn of the school’s courtyard. Attendees included Liu Yudong, Co-Dean of the School of Finance; Zhang Yao, Party Secretary; Fan Xiaoyun, Dean; Gao Shan, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice Dean; Vice Deans Li Zeguang, Chen Lu, He Jia, Wang Yuechao; members of the Academic Degree Evaluation Sub-Committee Liu Lanbiao, Liu Wei; department heads Zhang Lianzeng, Li Quan, Wang Bo; and alumni representative Wang Zhiyong, a 1990 graduate of the Finance Department and currently a first-level inspector of the Tianjin SASAC. The graduation ceremony was hosted by Gao Shan.

In 2024, the School of Finance awarded bachelor’s degrees to 258 students, master’s degrees to 268 students, and doctoral degrees to 18 students.

Professor Qin Jiaqi, representing the faculty, gave a speech titled “Finding Life’s Motivation: Providing Your Own Solutions for Society’s Pareto Improvements” to the graduates. By reflecting on his own research on general equilibrium and Pareto optimality during his academic and career journey, he proposed a unique insight: in reality, absolute equilibrium and optimality do not exist; instead, there are imbalances and areas needing improvement. He illustrated the practical application of Pareto improvements with three examples from his teaching, research, and social service, demonstrating how individual efforts can bring positive changes to society. Qin Jiaqi encouraged the graduates to face societal imperfections with a positive attitude, to shoulder the responsibilities of their times, to resonate with the nation, and to use their wisdom and strength to provide their own solutions for every Pareto improvement in society. He urged them to write a brilliant chapter in the new journey of building a modern socialist country.

Dong Shiyao, a 2024 master’s graduate, delivered a speech on behalf of all the graduates from the School of Finance. He emotionally recalled his seven years of study at Nankai Finance and expressed gratitude to his alma mater, mentors, and family. He thanked Nankai Finance for providing a broad platform for learning and rich practical opportunities. He mentioned that inspired by the Nankai spirit, many finance students chose to join the military, teach in the west, or engage in social welfare, demonstrating the responsibility and commitment of Nankai people through their actions. After teaching in the west of China, he plans to contribute to the banking industry, working to safeguard national financial security and support the development of the real economy. Dong Shiyao called on his fellow graduates to continue striving under the guidance of the Nankai spirit, to work hard in their respective fields, and to contribute their youth and passion to the realization of the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

As an alumni representative, Wang Zhiyong reminisced about his own time studying at Nankai Finance and expressed deep affection for his alma mater and the school. In the face of today’s complex and ever-changing environment and unprecedented transformations, Wang Zhiyong noted that finance as a discipline is inherently systemic. He urged students to focus on using systematic thinking, to learn to see the big picture, grasp trends, and navigate cycles; to maintain a positive and honest attitude, and to concentrate on cultivating their skills and experience in the present moment. He stated that the School of Finance has a tradition of innovation and high-quality educational resources and has contributed many outstanding talents to the country’s financial sector. He encouraged the graduates to uphold the spirit of reform and innovation, to embrace the times, and to engage with change proactively; to pay attention to details, and to cultivate good professional ethics and moral standards. Finally, Wang Zhiyong wished the Nankai University School of Finance continued success in the future and called on the graduates to work together to bring glory to their alma mater.

Years of exploring at Nankai, a lifelong journey in finance; a century-long journey lies ahead, forge ahead with youthful vigor. Under the guidance of their mentors, the graduates walked down the red carpet one by one, passed through the graduation arch, and stepped onto the stage to receive the tassel-turning ceremony.

The school prepared exquisite graduation gifts for each graduate: a customized Nankai Finance gift box, a customized laser bag, a customized luggage tag, a customized glow-in-the-dark bracelet, a color-changing coffee mug, special school postcards, an “I ❤ Nankai Finance” mini fan, and a personalized crystal seal engraved with each graduate’s name.

Dean Fan Xiaoyun gave a speech titled “Adhering to Long-termism, Building the Patience Capital of Financial Professionals.” Through leading the graduates to rethink what finance is, understanding the era that finance serves today, and how to adapt to the new era to navigate our own financial path, she proposed that patience capital is the key capability supporting financial professionals in their journey, encompassing long-termism, risk resistance, and the ability to navigate cycles. She encouraged the graduates to build foresight by staying true to principles and innovating, to understand the environment and recognize the situation; to build a solid foundation through lifelong learning and to experience the process of cultivating and testing one’s mind in an era of fragmented information; to build the capability to care for family happiness with a healthy physique. Fan Xiaoyun hopes the graduates will embrace the new world with their ideals and youthful passion and continue to write the glorious history of Nankai Finance.

As they are about to enter the workforce as financial professionals, all the graduates took a collective oath of “Professional Ethics and Integrity” led by 2024 undergraduate graduate Li Shuang, swearing to become financial professionals with good professional ethics and integrity, and to enhance their self-discipline and self-awareness in their future work.

At the end of the ceremony, all the graduates sang the Nankai University anthem with deep emotions. The song was powerful and filled with deep affection, expressing their heartfelt farewell to their alma mater. The 2024 graduation ceremony of the School of Finance ended with the theme “Chasing Dreams on a New Journey, Making Contributions in a New Era,” inspiring the finance students to uphold the Nankai spirit, promote the character of public service, write a brilliant life story, and continue the glory of finance, sailing into the new era with the wind.

In the evening, the School of Finance held the “This Evening with You, Together to a New Chapter” 2024 graduation evening gala at the Datong Student Activity Center. The event was attended by Zhang Yao, Party Secretary of the School of Finance, Gao Shan, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice Dean, Vice Deans Li Zeguang, He Jia, Wang Yuechao, several professional teachers, full-time counselors, over 600 graduates, and their family and friends.

The spotlight shone, and the curtain was raised. The evening gala was divided into four chapters: “Encountering: As We Wished, Reuniting at Nankai,” “Flying: Writing the Youthful Years,” “Settling: Honoring the Ambition to Serve the Nation,” and “Setting Sail: A Flourishing Farewell,” interspersed with five short videos: “Photo Memories,” “Not Saying Goodbye,” “Quick Questions and Answers,” “First Impressions Random Interviews,” and “Blessings from Mentors,” vividly capturing the beautiful campus memories of the graduates during their time at Nankai.

The hosts of the evening were undergraduate graduates Yang Genmiao and Huang Yijia, and master’s graduates Hu Jinyu and Luo Wenting.

The solo dance “Do As You Like” kicked off the event, showcasing the endless energy and youthful vitality; the solo “Quicksand” conveyed the determined and courageous attitude in facing challenges with the lyrics “I won’t struggle, let it be, I’m not afraid”; the solo “Kaite Sterne” in the form of opera expressed the hope that everyone would always keep a guiding light in their hearts, protecting and pursuing their ideals throughout their life journey; the solo “As You Wish” turned time into a long river, with the mountains and rivers intact and the ordinary scenes of life, wishing that everyone’s thoughts in the years to come would come true; the solo “Life Should Always Face the Light” wished the students to move forward towards the light in the future, bravely heading towards their own futures; the solo “Ordinary Stars” made a play on the character “繁” (which can mean “numerous” or “ordinary”), suggesting that everyone is a unique and shining star in the sky.

The choir performance “Friends Like You” expressed the deep friendship between the graduates who cared for and supported each other; the choir performance “Wind Rises on the Green Hills” cleverly combined the songs “Up the Spring Mountain” and “The Wind Rises,” showcasing the future promise of Nankai finance students meeting at the summit after their respective efforts; the choir performance “Mountain Azaleas + The Starry Sea” reminisced about the unforgettable experience of the “May Flowers” choral competition, hoping that everyone would always hold the purest love for the country and the people, singing and moving forward together with blessings; the choir performance “Missing You Is Like a Kind of Illness” was about the sentiment of missing; today marks the end of university but also the beginning of longing. “A Little Happiness” was more than just a song; it was a heartfelt message, an acknowledgment of past efforts, and a hope for the future.

The group dance “One Spark” radiated youthful energy, like fireworks scattering in the sky, lighting up the graduation season with vibrant colors. “Perfect Night” overflowed with passion, turning this night into the brightest chapter of graduation memories. As the strings played and lights flickered, the duo dance “Floating Lights” expressed a reflection on time, reverence for life, and endless longing for the future. “Super” demonstrated that everyone can bravely fight and has the potential to become a hero.

The comedic skit “Dream of the Western Expedition” humorously looked back at memories of Nankai, incorporating campus elements like “Xianshuigu,” “612,” and the “canteen,” stirring a mix of laughter and tears, and evoking a deep sense of nostalgia for campus life.

Associate Professor Li Xiao from the School of Finance brought a solo performance of “My Love,” prompting students to recall the September when the osmanthus fragrance filled the air and the fruits ripened, remembering the excitement of beginning their Nankai journey. Graduating class advisors Wang Xiaojuan and Hao Ren, together with graduates, recited the poem “Youth and Growth,” narrating the emotional stories of their time at Nankai, running hard on the track of youth, and reaping growth along the way. Hao Ren also performed a solo of “Ordinary Road,” with every note and word filled with memories and blessings.

The evening’s performances lasted nearly three hours, with song and dance taking the stage, keeping the energy high. The medley “Childhood Songs Medley,” which included lines like “Your childhood, my childhood, seems to be the same,” brought back childhood memories, injecting nostalgia into the evening and instantly igniting the atmosphere. The evening concluded with Liu Kehan’s solo “To All Who Know My Name,” reflecting on how they had come together from mountains and seas for the autumn harvest, and now set out on new journeys, wondering if their names would be remembered. The graduates once again waved their hands, cheering for every encounter, every friendship, and the youthful days spent together at their alma mater.

After the stage performances, teachers and students returned to the School of Finance’s courtyard to continue the unforgettable graduation song party, performing classics like “Ten Years,” “Rice Aroma,” and “Like You.” As the school anthem echoed, the grand graduation ceremony came to a successful close, marking the end of this unforgettable graduation season.

Dreaming of a new journey, making achievements in the new era; together tonight, embarking on a new chapter! Wishing the 2024 graduates a bright future, navigating the new journey of life with enthusiasm, facing the world with zest, and always walking on a path blooming with flowers!