坚定理想、磨砺意志、造就本领、提升自我
——在2021届毕业生毕业典礼暨学位授予仪式上的讲话
秦和
Speech at the 2021 Commencement Ceremony and Degree Conferment Ceremony
Qin He
尊敬的各位老师、各位家长，亲爱的同学们：
Dear teachers, parents, and students,
大家下午好！
Good afternoon!
今天是一个重要的日子，也是一个值得铭记的日子。我们在这里隆重举行2021届毕业生毕业典礼暨学位授予仪式，共同见证2237名本科生和212名研究生圆满完成学业、即将踏上人生新的征程。首先，我代表学校向全体毕业生表示最热烈的祝贺！向为同学们成长成才付出心血和汗水的全校教职员工表示最衷心的感谢!向默默奉献、养育你们的各位家长致以最崇高的敬意！
On this most important of days, we hold the 2021 commencement ceremony and degree conferment ceremony for the 2,237 undergraduates and 212 postgraduates who have completed their studies. On behalf of the University, I would like to extend my warmest congratulations to all these graduates and my heartfelt thanks to the faculty and staff who have worked hard and made painstaking efforts to facilitate the growth and intellectual development of the students entrusted to our care! I would also like to express my highest respect to all the parents for their selfless dedication and encouragement!
同学们，过去这几年，你们在学校经历了一个不平凡、令人难忘的时期。这一时期，国家经受住了百年未有之大变局和新冠疫情的严峻考验。在党中央的坚强领导下，我们共克时艰，一起度过了疫情防控这段难忘的岁月，一起经受了来自国际国内的严峻挑战，同时也一起见证了脱贫攻坚任务的完成和全面小康的实现，感受到了国家翻天覆地的大变化。这一时期，也是学校发展最好的时期。新图书馆、新地球村、双创大厦、国际交流大厦拔地而起；学校圆满通过教育部审核评估；成为全国民办高校中唯一一所获批硕士学位授予权的民办高校；正式更名为吉林外国语大学，成为全国第一所，也是唯一一所更名为大学的民办高校；入选吉林省特色高水平大学建设行列；2020、2021连续两年位居软科中国民办大学排行榜首位。这一时期，学校制定实施了未来十年战略发展规划，开始了二次创业。全面深度强化内涵，“六大高地”建设已在路上，学校又迎来了高质量新的发展阶段，可以说，经过这些的积累，学校实现了新跨越，正朝着精品、非营利、应用型、国际化、特色鲜明的高水平外国语大学的目标砥砺前行!
Next, to our students: Your last year at our school has been an extraordinary and unforgettable one. During this time, the country withstood some of the greatest changes in global and national relations in a century, and a pandemic unmatched in scope, speed of spread, and cultural impact unmatched in the last 100 years. Under the thoughtful leadership of the CCP Central Committee, we overcame these difficulties together, engaged in epidemic prevention and control, withstood severe challenges at home and abroad, witnessed the completion of our nation’s poverty alleviation initiatives, and saw our society improve by every measure. This period was also one of great development for our university. Our new library, Global Village, Innovation and Entrepreneurship Hall, and Center for International Exchange have recently been completed and overlook our majestic campus. We have successfully passed careful examination and evaluation by the Ministry of Education, and JISU is now the first and only private university in China to have been granted the right to confer master’s degrees. It is also the only private higher educational institution in China to have been officially renamed and recognized as a comprehensive university. JISU has risen in reputation and is acknowledged as one of Jilin Province’s great universities. In both 2020 and 2021, it was ranked first among Chinese private educational institutions for social sciences on the Shanghai Jiao Tong University’s Academic Ranking of World Universities. During this period, the school formulated and implemented a strategic development plan for the next decade and embarked on a new entrepreneurial journey for school development. JISU is steadily improving its quality and reputation, and the construction of the university’s “six highlands” has ushered in a new era of development. Our university is bounding towards its goal of becoming a world-class non-profit international studies university that is application-oriented, thoroughly cosmopolitan, and yet distinctly and proudly Chinese.
同学们，大学是现代社会的思想库，大学是一座人类精神的圣殿，大学是人生的一个里程碑。大学最重要的目标是要培养健全的、有自信的、尊重他人的、有社会责任感的人。大学最根本的一条就是要重塑学生拥有正确的世界观、人生观和价值观。我依稀记得四年前开学典礼上对你们的嘱托，希望你们成为诚实守信、德才兼备的人，时刻牢记“致远、务实、求精”、“天下大事必从细而作”的吉外精神，也曾告诉你们，大学会使你们拥有一个有价值，有梦想的人生。四年后的今天，我欣喜地看到你们奋发有为，书写了自己大学生活的人生精彩。在你们的身上我看到了“人若有志，万事可为”的信念，看到了为梦想努力拼搏的青春力量。过去四年，在座的各位同学在各类学科竞赛、创新创业大赛及文体竞赛中获得了749个奖项，这其中有380项是国家级奖项；同学们参与的志愿团队荣获了中宣部学雷锋志愿服务“四个100”先进典型“最佳志愿服务项目”；有2662人次获得过奖学金；还有一大批同学或顺利考取了研究生、或考入机关事业单位，或拿到了知名企业的offer，或自主创业……你们参加国际文化艺术节、2022北京冬奥会宣传片拍摄、疫情防控志愿服务等活动，开阔了视野，增长了才干，提高了素质。
Dear students, universities are essential centers of thought and education in modern society and the completion of a university degree is a significant milestone in the lives of many. The most important function of university education is to cultivate healthy, confident, respectful, and socially responsible people. And the most fundamental duty of a university is to guide students so that they may develop a correct worldview and appropriate and mature values. During the opening ceremony four years ago, I informed you of my expectations for you to be honest and trustworthy and to have both the morality and talent required to live a valuable life. Today, four years later, I am excited and pleased to see that you have had a fulfilling college experience. You have worked hard and matched my expectations. During the past four years, you, our accomplished students, have won 749 awards in various subject competitions, innovation and entrepreneurship competitions, and sports competitions, of which 380 were national awards. Our volunteer team won the Lei Feng “Four 100” Best Volunteer Service Project from the Chinese Central Communications Department, and 2,662 students have been awarded scholarships. Additionally, many students have successfully passed the postgraduate entrance examination, been admitted to government institutions, received offers from well-known enterprises, or started businesses. Finally, your participation in the International Cultural and Art Festival, 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games promotional film shoot, epidemic prevention and control volunteer services, and other activities has broadened your horizons, increased your talent, and helped you develop as both students and citizens of our nation.
同学们，大学毕业，人生并没有毕业，今天毕业典礼之后，你们即将告别母校，踏上社会途程，创造属于自己的人生新天地。古人讲，“莫道秋江离别难”，离别之际，作为校长和老师，对大家提出几点希望。
Dear students, commencement is not an end, but a beginning. After graduating from college, you will bid farewell to your alma mater, go forth into society, and start a new life. As you prepare to embark on this exciting next stage of your journey, I have great hope for you.
希望你们树立远大理想、坚定信念。印度诗人泰戈尔讲过“理想是指引方向的航标灯。”理想指引人生方向，在前进的道路上，任何时候都要有方向，理想信念是一个人的世界观、人生观和价值观的集中体现，理想将决定你走向怎样的人生，它是人生的力量源泉，信念则决定你的人生能否走远，它是人生的精神支柱。很多成功的人，他们并非一生下来就是超出常人的天才，但是他们都拥有自己的理想，成就了精彩人生。青年的理想远大，信念坚定，是一个国家，一个民族无坚不摧的前进动力。李大钊曾说过，“青年要为世界进文明，为人类造幸福。以青春之我，创建青春之家庭，青春之国家，青春之民族，青春之人类，青春之地球，青春之宇宙。”同学们，希望你们热爱祖国，只有你们将个人的理想同国家的前途命运相结合才有价值。一寸赤心惟报国，把爱国之心化为报国之行，同祖国一道前行，你们的人生就一定会更加绚丽多彩！
Beloved students, set up lofty ideals and firm beliefs—the path to success begins with these. The great polymath and poet Tagore once said words to the effect that there is no better beacon than that which illuminates the way forward. As you forge ahead, do so always with direction and intent. Ideals and beliefs are the embodiment of one’s world outlook and values. As a source of strength, ideals will determine what kind of life you lead. Beliefs will determine how far you can go. They are the spiritual pillars of life. Many successful people of humble birth make great achievements because they have ideals and are willing to live by them. The lofty ideals and firm beliefs of the young are the driving force of a country and a nation. Li Dazhao once said, "Young people should make contributions to world civilization and mankind. Young people should devote their youth to the development of the society, their country, and the whole world.” Dear students, I hope you will always harbor great love for our great motherland. Your life will be of greater consequence when you channel your ideals towards bettering our nation. Serve the country with your heart and soul, and your life will be meaningful and fulfilling.
希望你们磨砺坚强意志，不懈奋斗。习近平总书记多次寄语青年一代：“青年在成长和奋斗中会收获成功和喜悦，也会面临困难和压力，要正确对待一时的成败得失。处优而不养尊，受挫而不短志，使顺境逆境都成为人生的财富而不是人生的包袱。”同学们，无论你们今后从事什么样的工作和事业，希望你们不要惧怕吃苦，更不要惧怕困难和挫折。沈从文说：“逆境也是生活的恩赐，”是一种人生磨练。所谓，“梅不遇寒花不香，人不磨砺不成器。”古往今来，凡是成大事者，必先立大志，未有无志而建功。要知道，努力不一定成功，但放弃就一定失败，磨难永远是成长的基石。你们能走多远不要问双脚，要问意志；能攀多高不要问双手，要问志向。要知道一切成就事业、有所作为的人，无不是脚踏实地，艰苦攀登的结果。古之立大事者，不惟有超世之才，亦必有坚韧不拔之志。同学们，希望你们磨砺坚强意志，牢记“会通中外，砺志敦材”的校训，做好奋斗的准备。每个人都有一份属于自己的志向，立志是成功的动力，你们要为实现目标而不懈奋斗,青春因磨砺而出彩，人生因奋斗而升华！
I hope your wills and spirits will remain forever strong and that you never stop striving. General Secretary Xi Jinping reiterated a critical message to the younger generations on many occasions: “Young people will gain success and joy in their growth and will also face difficulties and pressure. They should deal with temporary success and failure with a correct attitude. Do not be made dizzy with success, nor be discouraged by failure.” Dear students, no matter what kind of career you choose, I hope you will not be afraid of hardship, difficulties, or setbacks. Shen Congwen said that “adversity is also one of life’s gifts.” From ancient times to the present, those who achieve great things must hold themselves to lofty ideals and principles. Effort does not guarantee success, but a lack of effort guarantees failure. As one great athlete said, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.” Aim high and always aim for the best. Have ambition. Ambition is the driving force for success. Strive for your goals. Youth will shine through hardships and life will be made better through hard work!
希望你们造就过硬本领，提升自我。“青春虚度无所成，白首衔悲亦何及。”生活从不眷顾因循守旧，满足现状者，从不等待不思进取、坐享其成者，而是将更多的机遇留给勇于创新的人们。同学们，你们处在一个伟大的时代，可谓生逢其时，肩负着中华民族伟大复兴的时代重任。当今时代，以互联网+、人工智能、大数据、云计算等为代表的新一轮科技革命和产业革命正在兴起，创新已经成为引领高质量发展的第一动力。面对日趋激烈的国际竞争和人才竞争，你们要珍惜宝贵的青春年华，勤于学习，勇于实践，不断提高自身素质，使自己的思维视野、思想观念、认识水平跟上越来越快的时代发展。你们要做到知行合一，以知促行，以行求知，积蓄前进能量，不断认识科学世界的新领地。你们要提升道德修养，不断锤炼品德修为，要以德立身，以才立业，做到明大德、守公德、严私德，从中找到人生真谛、生命价值、事业方向，追求更有高度、更有境界、更有品味的人生。你们要在奋斗实践中练就过硬本领，为中华民族伟大复兴做好素质和能力的储备，力争早日成为能担重任的栋梁之才。同学们，希望你们珍惜韶华，不负青春，让勤奋学习成为青春远航的动力，让增长本领成为青春搏击的能量，努力书写不悔的青春篇章！
Always be willing to improve yourself. If your youth is idled away, you will regret as much in your declining years. Life does not favor free riders, and success will come when opportunity meets preparation. You are living in a great time. You have the best opportunities, but you shoulder great responsibilities. The fruits of the information revolution—represented by the internet, AI, big data, and cloud computing—are ripening. Innovation is the most important tool for leading a nation to high-quality development. In the face of increasingly fierce international and talent competition, you should cherish your precious youth, be diligent in learning, constantly improve yourselves, and keeping up with the rapid development of the times in terms of your vision, ideas, and understanding. You should integrate knowledge with practice, guide your practice with knowledge, and seek knowledge through practice and experience to lay a solid foundation for your advancement and constantly improved understanding of new developments throughout the world. You should cultivate your morals, remain humble and willing to learn, develop your virtues, and further your career through talent. You should expand your knowledge and skills by way of diligence and practice and strive to contribute to the great rejuvenation of China that is defining the 21st century! You should become pillars of the nation! Dear students, I hope you cherish your youth, make the best of it, and live a colorful life without regret.
同学们，世界属于今天的青年人，希望你们要拥有放眼世界的胸怀，在探索中认识世界，当好连接世界的桥梁，成为中华儿女成才走向世界之桥梁的践行者。“千川江海阔，风好正扬帆”。你们即将远航，母校期待着你们的佳音。你们要相信自己，去拥抱这个充满无限机遇的新时代，正像校歌唱的那样，“今天我们为学校自豪，明天让学校为我们骄傲”！
Dear students, the world belongs to the young. I hope you are guided by a vision that encompasses the globe and that you will explore the cultures and nations of our vast planet and learn to serve as bridges between the East and the West. Today, you set sail and on a new journey. The future is yours, and it is as wide and brilliant as the ocean on a clear day. We will be here, and we will be waiting for your good news. Trust yourselves and embrace this new era of unlimited opportunities. As the school anthem goes, “We are proud of our school today, and the school will be proud of us tomorrow!”
亲爱的同学们，母校永远是你们的坚强后盾，母校永远是你们的精神家园，母校永远牵挂你们！
Dear students, your alma mater will always be your home. And we, your teachers and mentors, will always have your back. We will keep you forever in our hearts.
最后祝福你们事业有成、前途似锦！
I wish you great success and the best of fortunes!
谢谢大家！
Thank you, everyone!
