Flowers bloom in midsummer, and time flows like water—it is June again, the season of farewells. On the morning of June 6, the Shanghai Institute of Ceramics (SIC), Chinese Academy of Sciences, held its 2024 Graduate Commencement and Outstanding Student Commendation Conference. Attendees included SIC Director Su Liangbi, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Chen Lidong, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Party Committee Member Yang Jianhua, Deputy Director Shi Xun, Party Committee Members Zhuo Shangjun and Chen Hangrong, Ms. Li Kunying (wife of the late Academician Guo Jingkun), Zhao Yi (General Manager of Zhejiang Zili Holding Co., Ltd.), Gao Hongwei (General Manager of Luoyang Xinlong Ceramics Co., Ltd.), Li Jing (Deputy General Manager of Lanchang Group), as well as directors of various research centers and a number of graduate supervisors. Over 300 participants were present, including all 2024 graduates, some family members of the graduates, and current students. The ceremony was presided over by Lu Caifei, Deputy Director of the Graduate Department.

Before the commencement, a graduation video produced by the students was played, showcasing snippets of their academic and daily life at the institute and capturing their gratitude and best wishes to SIC and their supervisors. The ceremony officially began with the singing of the national anthem.

Academician Chen Lidong read out the "List of 2024 University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS) Doctoral Graduates." Su Liangbi, Chen Lidong, Yang Jianhua, Shi Xun, and Yu Yun presented graduation certificates and performed the tassel-turning ceremony for the doctoral graduates.

Zhuo Shangjun read out the "List of 2024 UCAS Master's Graduates." Su Liangbi, Zhuo Shangjun, Liu Xuanyong, Yang Jinshan, and Zeng Huarong presented graduation certificates and performed the tassel-turning ceremony for the master's graduates.

Shi Xun read out the "List of 2024 Jointly Trained Graduates (Institutional)." Shi Xun, Wang Genshui, Xu Fangfang, Wang Shiwei, and Liu Xuechao presented joint-training certificates and performed the tassel-turning ceremony for these graduates.

Chen Hangrong read out the "List of 2024 Jointly Trained Graduates (Research Group)." Chen Hangrong, Zhang Tao, Liu Yu, Yang Yong, and Cao Xun presented joint-training certificates and performed the tassel-turning ceremony for these graduates.

This was followed by the donation and certificate presentation ceremony for the "Guo Jingkun Scholarship" and "Lanchang Scholarship." Ms. Li Kunying, Zhao Yi, Gao Hongwei, and Li Jing came to the stage to make the donations. Su Liangbi, Yang Jianhua, and Shi Xun accepted the donations and presented donation certificates on behalf of the institute, expressing gratitude for their support of SIC's educational development.

Yang Jianhua read out the commendation list for outstanding students, which included recipients of the "Yan Dongsheng Scholarship," "National Scholarship," "Outstanding Graduate of Beijing Universities," "Outstanding Graduate of Shanghai Universities," "Pacesetter of Triple-Excellence," "Outstanding Student Leader," "Bank of China Outstanding Student Award," "Rising Star in Scientific and Technological Research," "Guo Jingkun Scholarship," and "Lanchang Scholarship." Chen Lidong, Su Liangbi, Yang Jianhua, Shi Xun, Zhuo Shangjun, Chen Hangrong, Li Kunying, Zhao Yi, Gao Hongwei, Li Jing, Li Jiang, Sun Yiyang, Lin Huixing, Yang Liping, Zhou Guohong, and Wang Zheng presented honorary certificates to the outstanding students.

Representatives of the graduates delivered speeches: doctoral graduate representative Wang Wugang, master's graduate representative Zhang Zhimin, and joint-training graduate representative Guo Shaoping expressed gratitude to the institute, their supervisors, and their families for their cultivation and support. They looked back on their research and life at the institute, conveyed their reluctance to part and best wishes, and shared their visions and expectations for a bright future. They also encouraged current students to strive hard and achieve academic success.

Zeng Huarong, speaking on behalf of all supervisors, extended sincere congratulations to the graduates. He reviewed the students' growth at SIC, noting that they had honed their "three essential skills," undergone "three trials by fire," shouldered "three responsibilities," and reaped "three kinds of affection," ultimately maturing into graduates of the institute who value hard work, struggle, and dedication, and who possess ambition, backbone, and competence. At the time of farewell and setting sail, he urged the graduates to shine like a beam of light in the new journey of realizing the Chinese Dream of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, to maintain kindness and faith in their hearts, integrate their vibrant youthful dreams into the cause of the nation and the people, cherish a patriotic heart, uphold the aspiration to serve the country, and write a new chapter in their lives with China Red in their hearts.

Liu Fuchen, a representative of current students, delivered a speech, sending farewell blessings to the seniors and juniors in a "sextet" of tribute, perseverance, gratitude, dreams, setting sail, and homecoming. At the same time, he expressed that current students would take the graduates as role models, conduct research seriously, dare to innovate, forge ahead, and strive for excellence.

Graduates Yang Fan, Feng Sheng, Yang Junjie, and Sun Yuxuan sang the song "Gardenia Blossoms," entrusting it with nostalgia for their growth experiences and beautiful memories at SIC. The performance touched hearts and resonated with the audience. It is hoped that this song will bring warmth and strength to the graduates and become a precious memory of their youth.

Su Liangbi delivered a speech. He extended warm congratulations to all graduates on their successful completion of studies. He expressed both heartfelt pride in the students' successful graduation and reluctance to part at the impending farewell. He offered advice and expectations to the graduates about to embark on a new journey in life: First, he hoped that the students would always remember the family tradition and culture of SIC. Because the properties and indicators of "materials" themselves are tangible and quantifiable, the inclusive culture of SIC embodies "seeking truth from facts." On the road of life, as long as you keep your feet on the ground and take one step at a time, you will eventually reach the other shore of victory. Second, he hoped that the students would always shoulder the mission and responsibility of SIC, aim high, have a broad vision, wield the sharp sword of science and technology, overcome all obstacles, strive to seize the commanding heights of science and technology, and shoulder the responsibility of national prosperity and national rejuvenation. Finally, he expressed his belief that the graduates would surely meet future challenges and opportunities with full enthusiasm and firm conviction, achieving brilliant success in their respective fields.