Online Gathering to Witness the Unforgettable Graduation of Class 2020
M.U.S.T. Holds 2020 Congregation Successfully
The 2020 Congregation of Macau University of Science and Technology opened as scheduled in the afternoon of July 25, 2020. The ceremony was held successfully in a hybrid format integrating an “online” cloud module and an “offline” module that took place in the recently inaugurated Block R Academic Complex of the University. Nearly 2600 graduates from bachelor, master and doctoral programs of the university faculties and institutes gathered online to mark the special and happy occasion. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the Congregation this year is distinguished from its counterparts over the past years, albeit merely in form; what remains unchanged has been the best wishes and expectations of the University to the graduating students. In order not to allow the pandemic to deprive the graduating students of their well-deserved graduation ceremony, in the hope of enabling the graduating students to create wonderful memories of this special moment in their life, which ties their past with the future, M.U.S.T. staff spared no efforts to make this ceremony happen for the students before their graduation. The Ceremony followed in strict compliance with the epidemic-preventing guidelines and requirements by the Health Bureau and other relevant departments. On the premise that environmental safety is safeguarded, approximately 700 representatives of graduating students and their parents and friends attended the ceremony on site, while the rest of the graduates, who sadly could not return for the ceremony due to the pandemic, participated via live broadcast, which enabled them to witness, in an online fashion, the important moment that ushered in a new journey in their life. Principal guests attending the ceremony in person included Chairman Chui Sai Cheong of the Board of Trustees of the M.U.S.T. Foundation, Dr. Liu Chak Wan, Chancellor of M.U.S.T., Chairman Tong Chi Kin of the Advisory Board of M.U.S.T., members of the M.U.S.T. Foundation, the University Council and the Advisory Board, parents and friends of the graduating students, and the university teachers and staff.
At the site of the Ceremony
President Liu Liang gave a speech.
The Congregation opened with the solemn national anthem. Chair Prof. Liu Liang, President of Macau University of Science and Technology and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, addressed the ceremony. On behalf of the University, he first sent the sincerest congratulations to the Class 2020 Graduates on site and on “Cloud”. The President said that while the special arrangements were not ideal, he hoped the students understood that the arrangements did not in any way diminish the significance and meaning of the ceremony, and it was nothing but merely a change in the form and carrier of the ceremony; what’s more, having endured the impact and stood the test of the pandemic, he believed that the students would all come out of the pandemic with a more profound understanding, appreciation, and insight into the world, the country, the nation, society, life and the future. He expressed hopes that following the pandemic, the students could better appreciate the value and beauty of life, and he believed that the shared difficulties and problems facing the world would be resolved only when people learned to reciprocate respect, communicate and cooperate, accommodate differences, seek general consensus, join forces in the interests of the greater good, and pursue shared benefits and victories. The President shared his personal life motto with the students, “One’s mission is to uncover the laws of nature, to set up rules that protect people’s life, to inherit and disseminate the ancient wisdoms, and to pave the way for a peaceful future.” He encouraged the students to aspire high, seize the choices and opportunities bestowed by the nation on the contemporary youths, harbor the faith of giving back to the community, making contributions to the country and creating benefits for human well-being, have a heart attached to the country and a vision that seeks the greater good of the world, build their characters in the realms of conscience, integrity, justice, kindness, diligence, gratitude, openness, and self-discipline, approach problems by taking into consideration the general good and the future, hold on to the right cause, speak with action and take initiatives, engage in things that benefit themselves, others, the country and the people, and create an extraordinary life out of ordinary life and work.
Student representatives spoke on behalf of the graduates.
Zhang Boling, doctoral graduate from the public health program of the Faculty of Medicine, and Chen Shanshan, graduate from Bachelor of International Tourism Management of the Faculty of Hospitality and Tourism Management, spoke as graduates’ representatives at the ceremony, respectively in Mandarin and English. They recalled the beautiful life they had in the University, expressed gratitude to the University for helping them grow, and called on all the graduates to face up to the pandemic and any adversities, embrace challenges with confidence, and create splendid futures.
At the site of the Ceremony
Many of the graduates responded that although a full gathering was made impossible by the pandemic, they were pleased that the University held this “special” congregation for them. They could feel the heaviness of the social responsibilities they were about to take up and said that they would continue to work hard in the future to pursue their dreams and make contributions to the development of the society and the mother nation. They said that the studies and life they had at M.U.S.T. were pure and unforgettable, and they were filled with memories which they would cherish forever. With their profound attachment to the alma mater and their limitless expectations for the future, they were determined to uphold the University motto, “Dedication to practical studies, Enhancement of knowledge, Ability and Quality”, act always on their passions, and embrace difficulties and pursue dreams.
In the special graduation season, at a special “Cloud” graduation ceremony, the graduates of M.U.S.T. were rejoiced, their will empowered, and their confidence boosted; this is bound to hold a special place in their memories. When the university anthem played, with the lyrics of the anthem being sung out aloud, “My alma mater, the pride of Macao, dedicated to studies, bringing lights to the truth, enhancing knowledge, pursuing ability, …”, the Congregation drew to a successful end.
