ON June 24, the Shenzhen MSU-BIT University (SMBU) saw off its Class of 2026 at a grand commencement and degree conferment ceremony held at the university auditorium.

More students and staff watched the ceremony broadcast live in the university stadium, which was also livestreamed online.

Attending the ceremony were Rector Li Hezhang, First Vice Rector Sergei Ivanchenko, and Chen Chaofeng, the university’s deputy Party secretary. University department heads, faculty members, graduates of the Class of 2026, and their families attended the celebration in person or online. The ceremony was hosted by Bai Qingyu, a 2026 graduate from the Faculty of Biology.

Before the ceremony began, a music video titled “A Generation Tasked With Building a Stronger China,” specially produced to mark the graduation, was played, which was followed by the national anthems of China and Russia.

Leyla Namazova-Baranova, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and leading scientist from SMBU’s Artificial Intelligence Research Institute, represented the faculty in delivering a speech.

Her most significant message to the graduates was: “Never be disappointed in the career you have chosen, and never stop learning.”

She emphasized that lifelong learning sharpens our mind and leads to wisdom, which is the only path that will enable us to stay ahead of artificial intelligence (AI).

Baranova quoted Nikolai Burdenko, who founded the first neurosurgery institute in Moscow, as saying, “One should live to work, for the profession they love.”

She explained that working with passion not only offers us the career ladder leading to success but also a meaningful way of life. She said that the Class of 2026 now already possesses a solid foundation after their undergraduate education, which offers them ample room for career development. She then encouraged the graduates to set clear objectives, map out career plans, and work toward their goals steadily. At the same time, she reminded them that a happy life involves more than just work, and that satisfactory family life is another pillar of well-being. She also wished the graduates would not wait too long before finding happiness in family life.

Liu Bowen, a graduate from the Faculty of Computational Mathematics and Cybernetics, looked back on his four years at SMBU — evolving from an enthusiast to a researcher in mathematics. The once novice student in scientific research has transformed into a peer mentor capable of leading his own projects. He expressed deep gratitude to the university for providing a fertile ground for personal growth. Liu also thanked his instructors for their guidance, other staff for their support, and fellow students for their companionship.

For the next few years, Liu announced, he would pursue a master’s and doctoral degree at SMBU, staying true to his passion for mathematics. He pledged to explore deeper into frontier research and contribute to Sino-Russian academic exchange.

He encouraged fellow graduates: “Overcome difficulties with passion, pursue your dreams with discipline, hold on to your youthful sincerity, and may your paths ahead be marked by brilliance.”

Nesterenko Polina, from the Faculty of Economics, represented master’s and doctoral program graduates in sharing her reflections on her two years at SMBU.

Within those two years, the awe of Shenzhen gradually turned into a treasured familiarity, as she became better adjusted to the study and life here. The anxieties over coursework, the trials during thesis writing, and the challenges of living abroad all distilled into valuable experiences that cultivated in her independence and cross-cultural adaptability. She thanked her supervisors for their patient guidance, her classmates for their friendship, and her parents for their unconditional support.

Polina shared that the most important lesson SMBU has taught her is not to fear uncertainty, and to stay composed when faced with change. Quoting the Chinese proverb, “A time will come to ride the wind and cleave the waves; I’ll set my sails high and cross the deep, vast sea,” she wished the Class of 2026 a bright future. She also hoped that the friendships forged at SMBU would last long and remain precious forever.

During the ceremony, the Class of 2026 presented the university with a special gift — a miniature three-dimensional model of the university’s main building, called “Crystal Blueprint.” The model uses the microstructure of crystals for inspiration, recreating the grandeur of the main building through the orderly arrangement of atoms and chemical bonds. The artwork embodies the graduates’ passion for scientific research and gratitude for their alma mater. Rector Li and first vice rector Ivanchenko accepted the gift on behalf of the university.

During the ceremony, Ivanchenko also presented certificates to the winners of the Outstanding Undergraduate Thesis Award.

The university’s deputy Party secretary Chen then presented certificates to the recipients of the 2026 SMBU Star and Outstanding Graduate awards.

Following the commencement ceremony, Li, Ivanchenko, and the deans of faculties turned the tassels for the graduates and presented them with their degree certificates.