Graduation Speech

Last week, I had the honor to represent my cohort in delivering a speech, as a representative of the Second Cohort of the “Future Leaders” International Undergraduate Double Degree Program, to the graduating class of the Guanghua School of Management of Peking University.

Due to time limits, I was unable to include everything I wanted to say, including the naming of many particular individuals, but here is my speech:

院长、教授、老师、家长、同学、大家好。

我是黄詠億，来自新加坡，是“未来领导者”项目的一名学生。

我非常荣幸代表本项目在此 毕业会 上发言。

As I stand here and reflect upon the experience we have had here in China, it is fitting and proper to recognize the people without whom we would not be seated here today.

On behalf of my fellow graduates, I would like to express our deepest appreciation to…

Firstly, our professors. For their wisdom, as well as their patience and dedication in imparting it. They have cultivated in us a multicultural and inclusive vision, preparing us to embrace the world ahead.

The Guanghua staff, for their countless efforts, above and beyond, many of which we had never seen nor would ever know, to enable this amazing experience.

Our families, who have supported us, took us for all our tempers and slights, making a thousand little sacrifices along the way.

Our local friends who made us feel so welcome. Their kindness and hospitality have made this experience an even greater one.

The many unnamed others, within the school and without, who also took care of us during our stay here.

And finally, to the Guanghua School of Management and Peking University for providing us this valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

There might be only one name on our diploma, but in truth, there are so many others, invisible, who also brought it to us, and whom we should never forget.

It is these people, ultimately, that have made this experience so rewarding, and one of the reasons I intend to pursue further education here at Guanghua.

Secondly, I hope to stress that while our Program is called “Future Leaders”, we by no means have an exclusive claim to that title.

The Program, rightly, gives light to this worthy goal, but each and every one of us here has the very real potential, and may even be called upon, to be a leader, in whatever role or field we may inhabit.

And I’m certain we Guanghua graduates are well-placed, would stive to be, and will be great ones.

Finally, through this Program, we have had the good fortune to establish not just connections, but sincere and lasting friendships, both with fellow students of the Program, and those of the wider Guanghua body.

We have met amazing and talented people. Some of us will join the world’s leading companies. Some of us will join social enterprises. Some of us will pursue higher education to further improve ourselves or create new knowledge that benefits society.

We are also photographers, poets, dancers, calligraphers, athletes, cooks, podcasters, and many more.

We gained valuable insights into one of the fastest-growing and most dynamic economies of the world — China. We learnt about diverse cultures and countries. We had a common platform on which to interact and exchange ideas.

In recent times, too often, conflicts occur because of a mere – and tragically avoidable – lack of understanding and communication.

The cross-cultural knowledge we have gained, and the virtues of mutual empathy and respect we have cultivated, would thus be more important than ever, as we face the global challenges of tomorrow, and those of today.

Indeed, seeing all of us seated together here, wearing the same graduation gown, having worked hard to achieve this success – together — reminds me – reminds us all — that while we are of diverse origins and speak different languages, we have so much more in common – in our dreams, our hopes, our aspirations.

Among which, I must believe that we all hope for a better life and a better world.

Therefore, I sincerely hope that it is these shared commonalities, as have been often revealed and highlighted by our interactions, and not our differences, which guide our hearts and minds as we seek a future — a better future.

I look forward to us here doing great things, and also, things that are good, as well.

Thank you everyone.

谢谢大家！