On the afternoon of July 3rd, the 2024 Graduation Ceremony for Shenzhen University WeBank Institute of FinTech (SWIFT), themed “Make Ambitions Lofty, Reach FinTech Summit”, was grandly held at the Alumni Plaza in the Yuehai Campus. Distinguished guests and leaders in attendance included Wang Yongcheng, a member of the Party Committee and Vice President of Shenzhen University; Yang Qiang, Chief AI Officer of WeBank, Academician of the Royal Society of Canada, and Academician of the Canadian Academy of Engineering; Liu Haishan, Party Secretary of SWIFT; Yin Xiaoyong, General Manager of Human Resources Department of WeBank and Vice President of the Enterprise; Lou Zhuonan, Deputy Party Secretary of SWIFT; Vice Deans of SWIFT Ge Rui and Qi Han; Wang Huan, an expert of Human Resources Department of WeBank; and Shen Jie, a member of the Teaching Guidance Committee of SWIFT. Faculty representatives, all graduates and their families attended the ceremony, witnessing this wonderful moment together. The ceremony was hosted by Gu Wei, Vice Dean of SWIFT.

The meeting officially commenced with the resounding sound of the national anthem. Gu Wei presented an overview of the 2024 graduates. In terms of graduate training, the institute saw 13 master’s students successfully complete their studies, obtaining a Master of Management degree. These graduates demonstrated outstanding academic capabilities, having published a total of 13 academic papers, including 2 high-quality articles in English journals, and won 3 provincial or higher level academic competition awards. Regrading undergraduate training, the institute has a total of 58 undergraduate graduates. Throughout their time at the university, they studied diligently and actively participated in various academic competitions, garnering 18 provincial and national awards (across 45 students). Among them, 18 students have been admitted to renowned universities for graduate studies, including Duke University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, National University of Singapore, South China University of Technology, Jinan University, and Southern University of Science and Technology, accounting for 31%. And some students have secured employment at well-known enterprises such as WeBank, Huawei, Tencent, Xiaomi, Futu, Ping An Bank, and Bank of China, demonstrating the outstanding comprehensive capabilities and strong competitiveness of the graduates.

Yang Qiang delivered a speech - “Riding the Wind and Waves, Opening the Door to the World with Youth and Belief”. He stated that the development of FinTech has now risen to a national strategy. Emphasizing the technology-driven and data-empowered financial innovation, we are propelling China’s FinTech from the stage of “erecting pillars and beams” to the new stage of “accumulating strength and momentum”, striving to achieve a leapfrog improvement in overall level and core competitiveness by 2025. As one of the most dynamic and innovative areas in the world today, FinTech is impacting our lives and work at an unprecedented speed and scale. In the face of the mission entrusted by the times, we are deeply aware of our responsibility and also full of expectation for the new generation of FinTech talents. As representatives of the Enterprise Council, we look forward to working with you to explore the infinite possibilities of FinTech, and to ride the waves together with the innovative development of global FinTech, opening up our own magnificent course. For students, in your future life, whether in the workplace or in life, difficulties and challenges will always follow you. But I hope that you could remember: it is better to make progress in thought than to stagnate.

Liu Haishan delivered a speech titled “Wherever There Is a Will, There Is a Way”. He expressed that the students will start a new journey in life. He, as an educator, has a few hopes to share with them on this occasion: First, to use knowledge as a boat and action as a path, deeply integrating theory with practice; Second, to uphold righteousness while continuously  innovating, dialectically unifying upholding righteousness with innovation; Third, to have lofty aspirations, closely linking personal ideals with the construction of a strong nation. No matter what path you choose, please maintain your thirst for knowledge, pursuit of innovation, and sense of responsibility to society. Finally, he gave the following advice to the students: “Wherever there is a will, there is a way. Even the most distant mountains and seas cannot limit it.” He encouraged the students to bravely pursue their dreams, to live up to their potential, and to contribute to the construction of a strong financial nation.

Qi Han, a representative of teachers and class advisor of the undergraduate graduating class, delivered a heartfelt speech - “Keep Running! SWIFT Youth”, reviewing the four years he spent together with the students. He expressed, “When the students used their actions to carry on the spirit of SWIFT, I truly felt the power of education. You, as the first graduates of the SWIFT, have not only made a good start for our college and Shenzhen University, but laid the most solid foundation for the brilliant chapter in your future careers and lives. SWIFT students, the new starting point is at your feet, the new world is in front of you, the banner of victory is within reach, waiting for you to raise it in the distance of your dreams.”

Chen Jiahao, on behalf of the graduating students, expressed the sincerest gratitude to teachers and the institute. He stated, “Four years ago, we started our university life with aspiration of a youthful dawn, transitioning from initial unknown about the FinTech field to the confident students we are today. Under the guidance of academic and industry mentors, we enriched our knowledge, refined our thoughts, exercised our skills and broadened our horizons through practical internships and the “learning, practicing, observing” experiences of the WeBank Summer Camp. Most importantly, we have solid our belief as SWIFT students that “taking finance as the vanguard, taking technology as the means” is at the core who we are.

Later, Wang Yongcheng presented certificates of commendation to 7 students who were awarded the title of outstanding graduate students, outstanding undergraduate graduates, and honorary bachelor’s degree. Yin Xiaoyong presented graduation gifts to them.

   

At the degree conferment ceremony, the graduates took turns to take the stage and received their degree certificates from Professor Shen Jie and Professor Ge Rui, marking a perfect ending to their university life.

Finally, 2024 graduates sing “Fragrant Paddy” as the conclusion of their college career. With the singing, the graduation ceremony came to a perfect close. We sincerely hope that, just as described in the song lyrics, our students will continue to run with the fragrance of rice, fearlessly moving forward. On the road of the future, may you carry the warm memories and valuable experience of Shenzhen University to create your own brilliant chapters.