On May 31, Peking University HSBC Business School (PHBS) held its 2025 Commencement Ceremony. A total of 656 graduates—including PhD, MA, MBA, and EMBA students—officially completed their programs. Nearly 2,000 attendees, including faculty, guest speakers, mentors, graduates, and their families, gathered to celebrate this important milestone.
A Graduation Season Wrapped in Tradition
This year’s graduation coincided with the Dragon Boat Festival, and PHBS creatively blended traditional Chinese cultural elements with the school’s spirit of innovation. From the event’s design to its symbolic details, the atmosphere honoured both the past and the future, allowing graduates to capture lasting memories before launching into new journeys.
Ceremony in progress
families and friends watching from the lobby and classrooms
A Grand Entrance
As elegant music played, school leaders, distinguished guests, professors, and representatives from each program and major entered the venue under a wave of applause—an expression of deep respect and appreciation from the graduating class.
Entrance of Leaders and Guests
Faculty Procession
Banners of Pride
Looking Back, Moving Forward
A heartfelt graduation video played on the big screen, inviting everyone to relive defining moments of campus life. Laughter, nostalgia, and gratitude filled the room, marking not just the end of an academic chapter but the beginning of countless new possibilities.
Voices of the Graduates
Four student representatives took the stage to reflect on their journeys and share parting words: Zhao Zhao (Master of Management), Micol Mascia (Master of Finance), Xu Guohua (MBA), and Pan Ruixian (EMBA).
In their speeches, they expressed deep gratitude to their professors, heartfelt attachment to their alma mater, and an enduring optimism for the future.
Micol Mascia, a Master of Finance graduate from Italy, reflected on her journey from her hometown to China and ultimately to PHBS. Leaving home, she said, was a leap toward something bigger—growth, learning, and the future.
"At PHBS, we didn’t just gain academic knowledge," she shared. "We learned to question assumptions, stay curious, and embrace lifelong learning."
She spoke of finding a sense of belonging through cross-cultural exchange and highlighted how the school’s diverse environment shaped her perspective. For Micol, graduation isn’t an ending—it’s the launchpad for what comes next. Armed with courage and a strong sense of responsibility, she’s ready to take the next step.
Pan Rui, an EMBA graduate, spoke about his decision to join PHBS two years ago and how it reshaped his understanding of business and leadership.
“At PHBS, our professors weren’t just educators—they were mentors who guided us through both academic and life decisions,” he said.
His time at the school deepened his belief that business success goes beyond personal gain. True impact, he emphasised, lies in creating value for society.
In an era of uncertainty, Pan called on his fellow graduates to embrace a triple responsibility: to drive progress within their companies, to set standards within their industries, and to contribute to the strength and prosperity of the nation.
He urged them to channel the spirit of innovation and determination that defines PHBS, and to make their mark on China’s dynamic and evolving future.
A Literary Voice of Encouragement
Guest speaker Mo Yan—Vice Chairman of the China Writers Association and China’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature—offered a heartfelt message to the graduating class.
With the insight of a novelist and the wisdom of experience, he encouraged students to keep learning, keep thinking, and stay true to themselves in an age increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence.
“Even in a world of algorithms,” he said, “human thought, creativity, and individuality must never be lost.”
Mo Yan also shared his personal experience experimenting with AI in literary creation. While he acknowledged AI’s efficiency in generating text, he emphasised that it cannot replace the depth of thought and human spirit that define true writing.
He urged graduates to be fearless in practice, to stay committed to lifelong learning, and—most importantly—to take control of technology rather than be controlled by it.
Drawing on his own journey, Mo Yan encouraged students to approach complex real-world issues from multiple angles. His parting message was clear: preserve your individuality, keep creating, and write your own unique, colourful chapters in life.
A Brushstroke of Blessing
Continuing a cherished PHBS tradition, Hai Wen—Founding Dean of PHBS and current Chair of the School Affairs Committee, as well as former Vice President of Peking University—presented a special gift to the graduating class: an original painting titled “I Want to Give It a Try.”
Through this artwork, Hai Wen conveyed his heartfelt hopes for the graduates—to stay bold, curious, and willing to take on new challenges as they move forward in life.
Honouring Excellence, Taking Flight
Ren Ting, Party Secretary and Associate Dean of PHBS, announced the recipients of this year’s academic honours and the list of outstanding graduates.
Leaders, guests, and faculty representatives then took the stage to present certificates of recognition, celebrating the achievements of those who stood out for their dedication, performance, and impact.
Highlights
