IHB hosted the 2024 Graduate Commencement Ceremony on June 17, 2024. (Credit: IHB)

On the afternoon of June 17, the Institute of Hydrobiology (IHB) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences hosted the 2024 Graduate Commencement Ceremony, which also included the presentation of the IHB Graduate Scholarship and the Yunshui Scholarship. The event gathered over 200 attendees, including graduating students, their mentors, and family members, on the scenic shores of East Lake to celebrate and offer their heartfelt congratulations. The ceremony was hosted by deputy director HU Wei.

The event opened with a touching video montage, set to music, featuring messages of sincere congratulations and warm wishes from younger students and faculty. As the video played, the graduates watched with glowing pride, their faces reflecting both joy and the boundless possibilities of their futures.

Prof. WANG Guitang, speaking on behalf of the mentors, reflected on the challenges this graduating class had faced. He encouraged the graduates, whether continuing their studies or embarking on new careers, to embrace future challenges with the same curiosity and passion for learning that had sustained them throughout their time at IHB.

Dr. TANG Lizhu, an exemplary graduate, delivered a moving speech on behalf of her peers. Expressing deep gratitude to her family and mentors, she encapsulated her journey at IHB in three words: challenge, growth, and gratitude. She shared how the process of academic research not only enriched their knowledge but also taught them critical thinking and collaboration. In a final gesture of thanks, she invited her fellow graduates to present flowers to their mentors, symbolizing their appreciation and respect.

The ceremony continued with ZHANG Mi, head of the Office of Personnel and Talent Management, announcing the recipients of the 2024 IHB Graduate Scholarship, followed by MIAO Wei, director of IHB, presenting the prestigious Yunshui Scholarship to TANG Lizhu.

During the degree conferral ceremony, each graduate walked across the stage to receive their diploma, with Director Miao adjusting their tassels and posing for photos to commemorate the milestone.

Looking out at the beaming faces of the graduates, MIAO Wei fondly recalled earning his own doctorate from IHB in 2002, marveling at the passage of time. He encouraged the graduates to continue pushing boundaries, carrying forward the rigorous academic spirit and innovative mindset they had cultivated. He reminded them of their responsibility to society and urged them to use their knowledge to contribute to harmony and progress.

As the ceremony drew to a close, graduate students LI Zhenqi and XUE Menghan performed A Road Full of Flowers, a song expressing best wishes for the graduates. The graduates, like seeds from IHB, will be scattered across the country and the world, carrying with them the institute’s hopes and dreams. Their aspirations, nurtured at IHB, will bloom as they embark on their journeys into the wider world.

A group photo of all the graduates (Credit: IHB)