SCBC teams win prizes in the National Final of the “FLTRP·ETIC Cup” National English Debating Competition
The National Final of the 25th “FLTRP·ETIC Cup” National English Debating Competition for University Students came to a close on June 19. As one of the 56 academic competitions for college students recognized by the Ministry of Education, the competition attracted great attention of colleges and universities nationwide which sent their best debaters to compete for the laurels. Xia Shiyao, a senior student of Translation, teamed up with sophomore Yan Yuyin of English and claimed a first prize in the National Final (Top 32). Another team of junior Luo Yifei of Business English and sophomore Liu Tong of English won a second prize. The two teams were both supervised by Li Donghong.
The competition adopted the format of British parliamentary debate with wide-ranging topics covering politics, economics, education, philosophy and culture to test the debaters' knowledge, logical thinking, language and quick response. At the National Final in Beijing, SCBC contestants showcased their English proficiency and critical thinking in their calm, confident and rigorous performance both in impromptu debates and concluding remarks. Xia Shiyao and Yan Yuyin won a first prize thanks to their clear logic, fluent language, quick response, brilliant arguments and well-reasoned refutations. Only 5 teams of the 35 teams in the South China division had made to the Top 32 in the National Final.
SCBC holds Commencement and Degree Awarding Ceremony for Class of 2023
The 2023 Commencement and Degree Awarding Ceremony was held on the evening of June 24 at the Cultural Square where 2,361 undergraduates of the Class of 2023 were awarded bachelor's degrees, of which 159 were honored with Distinction.
Executive President Wang Hua, Vice Presidents He Aibing, Zhao Fuchun, Wang Mingyu and Lai Zhili, as well as heads of faculties and divisions and leaders of academic disciplines were seated on the stage as officiating professors. The ceremony was presided by Professor Wang Mingyu.
The ceremony kicked off with the solemn National Anthem. In his speech, Wang Hua expressed his great expectations of the graduating students, saying that they should “have magnanimity and a broad mind” to be dreamers with high aspirations and great love for their country; that they should be pragmatic fighters who “are knowledgeable but never stop learning and who are smart in actions but never slack off”; that they should be the youth of the new era who are willing to devote themselves to virtues and goodness and who are “as virtuous as a jade and as good as a clear spring”; and that they should be righteous people who are optimistic, open-minded, and independent and who “try their best in every endeavor and remain calm and upbeat in spite of misfortunes”. “Students, tomorrow you will embark on a new journey and set sail for a new dream,” He said. “ At this critical juncture when our motherland is marching towards its second centenary goal, I hope you will bring your talent and strengths into full play in your positions and fields and work even harder to make a difference in a bigger world.” Upon the last word of his forceful and lofty speech, thunderous applause arose from the audience.
Wang Ruiying from the Faculty of College English and Wu Haotian of Russian Language from the School of European Languages and Cultures spoke as representatives of the faculty and the graduates respectively.
As the graduating students progressed towards the stage, Wang Hua and other officiating professors shook hands with them, shifted the tassels on their caps to the left as a symbol of graduation, and presented them with their diplomas before souvenir photos were taken.