On the afternoon of June 20, 2025, the Tsinghua University Department of Psychology and Cognitive Sciences 2025 graduation ceremony was held at the Experimental Theater, with more than one hundred attendees including Party Secretary Ying Li, Department Director Jia Liu, Associate Directors Dan Zhang and Zhen Wu, other faculty representatives, graduates, and their relatives and friends. The ceremony was presided over by Jing Qian, leader of the Department of Psychology graduate work group.
Jing Qian presiding
Singing the national anthem
Jia Liu delivering a speech
Department Director Professor Jia Liu used the Stochastic Gradient Descent (SGD) algorithm as a metaphor for artificial intelligence, instructing graduates to bravely face mistakes and grow from them. First, action above all: "Completion is more critical than perfection," through taking small steps quickly and iterative correction, preventing stagnation due to excessive planning, persisting in action will ultimately reach the goal; second, maintain the randomness of exploration: actively contact unknown fields, break cognitive limitations, and find necessity from chance. He encouraged graduates to view "making mistakes" as a pathway to exploring truth, and to continuously "optimize" with an open mindset on life's journey.
Ying Li speaking
Ying Li announced various honors received by graduates during their time at the university, including scholarships, social work, and award lists for various scientific innovation and sports competitions. Teacher Ying Li highly affirmed the achievements of graduates and encouraged them to continue carrying forward the spirit of striving on their future life paths and make greater contributions to society.
Hong Li speaking
Faculty representative Hong Li used several allusions to earnestly advise graduates on three points of life wisdom: in conduct, one should maintain the way of "being square but not cutting, honest but not injuring, straight but not unrestrained, bright but not dazzling," upholding principles without losing warmth; in handling affairs, one must comprehend the virtue of "the highest good is like water," focusing on one's duties without competing for empty fame, using "thorough preparation, contentment in all circumstances" to resolve unfairness; in establishing career, one should pursue the true success of "manifesting virtue and reaching goodness" — demonstrating bright moral conduct, practicing "when poor, perfect oneself alone; when successful, help the world as well." She emphasized that Tsinghua people should inherit the patriotic sentiment of "sacrificing the small self to achieve the greater self," remember the mission of "establishing heart for heaven and earth," start from small matters, and write youth on the motherland's land.
Shuquan Chen speaking
Shuquan Chen, 2013 undergraduate alumnus and postdoctoral researcher at Yale University Department of Psychology, sent blessings via video. He reviewed his study experience at Tsinghua, particularly how his interest was ignited by the Introduction to Psychology course and how he determined his research interests through his experience as an operator at the "Qingxin Hotline." As he is about to join Harvard University Department of Psychology as an assistant professor, he hopes students will find direction through constant attempts, cultivate deeply in fields they love for the long term, maintain the passion and empathy of psychology professionals, treat themselves well and understand others.
Zhen Wu introducing the overall situation of this year's graduates
Dan Zhang presenting honor certificates for university-level and department-level outstanding degree theses
Xinyu Shui speaking
Doctoral graduate representative Xinyu Shui reviewed his time studying at Tsinghua, comparing scientific research exploration to carefully nurturing a seed, going through experimental setbacks and repeated revisions, and finally achieving growth with the help of teachers and friends. He believes psychological research needs to move from theory to application, serving actual social needs. Looking to the future, he promises to uphold what he learned at Tsinghua and contribute to society with professional knowledge.
Aining Shen speaking
Master's student representative Aining Shen reviewed the special experience of overcoming time differences and remote learning during the pandemic, emphasizing that this experience forged adaptability and resilience. She believes that Department of Psychology graduates shoulder the special mission of using professional knowledge to promote mutual understanding, and called on everyone to uphold Tsinghua's motto, go into the world with compassion and critical thinking, and use actions to create and change the world.
Wen Lian speaking
Undergraduate graduate representative Wen Lian reviewed her experience of participating in competitions and working hard to complete studies with classmates. As a student with sports specialties, she especially thanked psychology for helping her better understand human nature and herself, and also thanked the Department of Psychology for providing an open and inclusive atmosphere for faculty and students, allowing diversity to create infinite possibilities.
Wen Lian speaking
Undergraduate graduate representative Wen Lian reviewed her experience of participating in competitions and working hard to complete studies with classmates. As a student with sports specialties, she especially thanked psychology for helping her better understand human nature and herself, and also thanked the Department of Psychology for providing an open and inclusive atmosphere for faculty and students, allowing diversity to create infinite possibilities.
