(From SMBU Special Page 02)

Recently, China launched its third aircraft carrier, The Fujian, and the Shenzhou-14 manned spacecraft took off successfully. In a time when the world is undergoing complex and profound changes, China is showing the world a unique view. In the new era, the ambition, moral integrity and confidence of young people have increased unprecedentedly. Behind pride is the continuous struggle of generations of young people to aim at the frontiers of science and achieve national strategic goals.

There is one such person, a university president, who devoted himself to resisting Japan’s aggression and saving the country in wartime and to the great cause of scientific research. In the 1950s, the basic research of computational mathematics, probability theory, partial differential equations, which supported the development of national science and technology, was weak.

He adjusted his research focus, went to Lomonosov Moscow State University (LMSU) to carry out research on partial differential equations, and sought new breakthroughs in practical application fields from the perspective of mathematics.

In less than two years, he passed the doctoral dissertation defense with all 29 votes, and was conferred adoctorate degree in physics-mathematics science. He was also the first Chinese to defend his doctoral thesis and was awarded a doctorate degree in science at LMSU.The person is Gu Chaohao, a famous mathematician and winner of the country’s highest science and technology award, who has struggled to meet the “national needs” all his life.

From the moment you entered the gate of SMBU, you have consciously walked in the same direction with the national strategy. In the next stage of youth, please continue to integrate into the development trends of the times. Always bear a pure heart, shoulder the responsibility of the times, and ride the wind and waves to set sail on a new voyage.

“Always keeping a pure heart” is the inner love and the driving force of seeking truth, knowledge and excellence.

Vasily Sukhomlinsky, a famous educational practitioner and theorist of the Soviet Union, once said, “thirst for knowledge and curiosity are the eternal and unchangeable characteristics of human beings. Where there is no thirst for knowledge, there is no school.” Inner love is the key to creating the future and changing the world.

There is one such person, a great scholar who was the son of a poor, illiterate fisherman. When he accompanied his father to fish, he became interested in reading and learning. His strong thirst for knowledge made him seize all opportunities to learn, but his resources were limited. So at 19, he walked more than 1,100 kilometers from his hometown to Moscow to start his boundless learning process, and finally became a rare polymath in the history of science.

He is not only a mechanical expert, chemist, mineralogist, but also a historian, rhetorician, artist and poet. He is Mikhail Lomonosov, founder of LMSU and a Russian encyclopedic scientist. Lomonosov showed a lifetime of passion for science. Although he had been ridiculed by nobles in all ways and endured the suffering of hunger and cold, his passion and persistence, truth-seeking and knowledge-seeking spirit made him an immortal scholar.

SMBU is eulogizing this power. Please keep your curiosity and imagination. Countless breakthroughs from zero to one in human history are explorations that break free from conventional thinking. Constantly break through the limits and create your own extraordinary achievements.

Youth breeds infinite hope, and youths create a better tomorrow. I envy you very much. You are in the prime of your life and are moving forward side by side with the development of China in the new era and today’s world. I sincerely hope that your little efforts will converge into a torrent of advancing human civilization. I sincerely wish you all well. A wonderful future is waiting for you and belongs to you!

Students, the goal of your generation must be the unknown infinite world. You have pure hearts and a deep love for your alma mater. Please remember that no matter where you go, you are all precious children of your alma mater. SMBU is your forever home.

Bless you! Happy graduation!

Thank you!