Tsinghua President Qiu Yong Addresses the Commencement of the Inaugural Class of Schwarzman Scholars
-Encouraging the Schwarzman Scholars to be a sailor of the world
Tsinghua University President Qiu Yong attended and addressed the commencement of the inaugural class of Schwarzman Scholars, held at Schwarzman College on July 1st.
In his address, President Qiu firstly congratulated the first class of Schwarzman Scholars completing their studies at Tsinghua. “Dear Schwarzman Scholars, we are delighted to salute your accomplishments, and we are proud of your achievements. Congratulations!” said President Qiu. He also praised the Schwarzman Scholars for their achievements in learning Chinese. “One year ago, you arrived at Tsinghua with great passion, enthusiasm and dreams. At the opening ceremony, I encouraged you to learn Chinese. Today, I am glad to know of your remarkable progress.”
"The past year witnessed your hard work and marvelous progress. Through the intensive courses, Deep Dive, Practical Training Program and Cultural Exploration, you each acquired a deep understanding of China and made your own observations and reflections on China from a unique perspective,” noted President Qiu.
The President also encouraged the students to make contributions to the development of the world. “The world is not tranquil. We are facing unprecedented uncertainty. Despite all challenges to the international community, our confidence for a better future is stronger than ever before - and we believe everyone can make meaningful contribution for the improvement of the world. Values have become increasingly important in the society today, and it is crucial to defend and advocate our values. May I remind you of Tsinghua’s spirit – ‘Action speaks louder than words’ Now, as graduates and future global leaders, it is time for each of you to take real action,” said President Qiu.
President Qiu finally remarked: “As you graduate from Tsinghua today, I would like to share with you a line from a poem by Walt Whitman: "To be a sailor of the world, bound for all ports (做世界的水手，奔赴所有的港口)". There is a similar quote from one of the greatest Chinese poets, Li Bai:"长风破浪会有时，直挂云帆济沧海 (A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves, I will set my cloudlike sail to cross the sea which raves)". My dear Schwarzman Scholars, I hope you will always aim high and be free to sail the world! Don’t forget, you are bound to be global leaders who will bridge China and the world.” The President told the Schwarzman Scholars: “No matter where you are in the future, please keep in mind that Tsinghua will be your home forever.” The speech, delivered in English, was very well received by the audience.
A landmark scholarship for the defining challenge of our time, “Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University” is a Master’s degree program designed to prepare the next generation of global leaders. As a cornerstone endeavor for the second centennial of Tsinghua University, the program has received attention and support from global leaders in all sectors since its official launch in April 2013.
(President’s Address on the commencement of the inaugural class of Schwarzman Scholars)
Be a Sailor of the World
Honorable Vice Minister Tian Xuejun,
Mr. Steve Schwarzman,
Mr. Yao Ming,
Dear Schwarzman Scholars,
Distinguished Guests, Colleagues and Friends,
Good Afternoon.
First of all, on behalf of Tsinghua University, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to all of you for joining this history-making occasion - the commencement of the inaugural class of Schwarzman Scholars.
Gathering here, we joyfully witness the first class of Schwarzman Scholars completing their studies at Tsinghua, with each embarking on a new journey. Dear Schwarzman Scholars, we are delighted to salute your accomplishments, and we are proud of your achievements. Congratulations!
One year ago, you arrived at Tsinghua with great passion, enthusiasm and dreams. At the opening ceremony, I encouraged you to learn Chinese. Today, I am glad to know of your remarkable progress. Within only a year, Blaise Buma from Cameroon gained the capacity to communicate in Chinese; Kes Rittenberg now takes pleasure in reading Chinese novels; and Richard Altieri performs stand-up comedy in Chinese. He also opened his own Weibo account, which is the Chinese version of Twitter.
The past year witnessed your hard work and marvelous progress. Through the intensive courses, Deep Dive, Practical Training Program and Cultural Exploration, you each acquired a deep understanding of China and made your own observations and reflections on China from a unique perspective. As Noah Elbot from the United States noted: “When I first came to China, my questions were: 'What does modern China look like? And how will the world affect China?' Now my question is: 'How will China affect the world?'”
The faculty also spoke highly of your performance in the past year. Professor Gautam Mukunda from Harvard, who taught you Leadership, noted that your potential is limitless and teaching at Tsinghua is one of the highlights in his life. He said: “Every day I come in and get to see the future. Not just any future. I can see the best future.”
I am pleased to see Professor Gautam Mukunda’s comment. And I agree with his observation. You, the Schwarzman Scholars, represent the best of future. You, the inaugural class, have set a benchmark for future Schwarzman Scholars. Your graduation is a historic milestone which proves the Schwarzman Scholars program is - and will continue to be - a genuine success.
In the past year, I believe you have participated in and observed the great improvement Tsinghua has made. Though there are still issues to be resolved, I am confident that Tsinghua will keep moving forward. In the past year, you have learned much about China. Despite all the challenges and difficulties, I believe China will continue to thrive.
The world is not tranquil. We are facing unprecedented uncertainty. Despite all challenges to the international community, our confidence for a better future is stronger than ever before - and we believe everyone can make meaningful contribution for the improvement of the world.
Values have become increasingly important in the society today, and it is crucial to defend and advocate our values. May I remind you of Tsinghua’s spirit - "Action speaks louder than words." Now, as graduates and future global leaders, it is time for each of you to take real action.
As you graduate from Tsinghua today, I would like to share with you a line from a poem by Walt Whitman: "To be a sailor of the world, bound for all ports (做世界的水手，奔赴所有的港口)". There is a similar quote from one of the greatest Chinese poets, Li Bai:"长风破浪会有时，直挂云帆济沧海 (A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves, I will set my cloudlike sail to cross the sea which raves)". My dear Schwarzman Scholars, I hope you will always aim high and be free to sail the world! Don’t forget, you are bound to be global leaders who will bridge China and the world.
No matter where you are in the future, please keep in mind that Tsinghua will be your home forever.
Congratulations, Class of 2017! I wish you all have a prosperous future！Thank you.
