The years are like water, time flies… On June 23, 2021, the 2021 graduation of the China-EU School of Law (CESL) of China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) was held in room 306 of Mingfa Building on the Changping Campus of CUPL. Liu Fei, Chinese Co-Dean, Monty Silley, European Executive Co-Dean, faculty and staff, as well as all graduates attended the ceremony. The event was hosted by 2018 double master student Yu Sijing.
At 9 a.m., accompanied by an elaborate graduation video, the 2021 graduates arrived at room 306 for their final engagement as CESL students.
The host welcomed everyone to begin the ceremony. First of all, Zhang Ying gave a speech representing the double master’s students. Zhang Ying fondly recalled her three years at CESL, from the family home to Wen Yuange, from constitutional proceedings to the study groups for European law, she said, even if the pandemic outbreak pressed a pause button on some things, it is a tender and gentle memory now in retrospect. At the same time, she also expressed gratitude to all teachers and students. She thanked all the teachers in the programme for their dedicated teaching. Not only helping with classes and examinations, but also helping give guidance. She next thanked the class members of the three years for their dedication to all the small and big things, and thanks to every partner of CESL, who helped experience Chinese law and European law together. Finally, Zhang Ying sang the song "Goodbye" as a farewell song, wishing everyone can have sincere people around them, whether they are relatives, lovers or friends, and always have someone to care about them and support them in the difficult road of life.
Then, Chen Runping, a representative of the Master of European and International Law (MEIL) programme spoke. Firstly, he recalled his experience of coming to CESL, facing the double pressure of epidemic and employment, and the acceptance letter from CESL felt like a life-saver. The one-year study experience in Changping made him live up to his decision at that time. Although it was a very stressful year, it was not so difficult due to the help of the teachers and the interaction between the students. Finally, as he was about to say goodbye to CESL, he wished everyone a better future and a greater contribution to the country and society.
After that, alumnus He Xin, a 2011 graduate of CESL, sent his best wishes to the graduates in the form of a video, saying, "Students should do their job well in school, that is, study, and in addition to that, they should use the platform of CEIBS to improve their English ability, and regarding the choice of employment, they should listen to their own heart, not necessarily limited to one career. In the future work of the students, as long as they have a good heart, due courage and work conscientiously, they will definitely achieve what they want."
Next, faculty representative Prof. Zhao Tianshu gave his graduation speech with the theme of "roll" or "lay flat". He said that life is like a conveyor belt with non-stop steps, some people choose to roll on the conveyor belt, some people choose to lie flat on the conveyor belt. This is not unique to our time, but the emergence of the internet has magnified all this. He quoted from both Su Shi from the "Stone Bell Mountain" as well as Confucius to deliver the graduates important life lessons.
Then, Monty Silley, European Executive Co-Dean of CESL, expressed his hopes for graduates. It has not been an easy year, but everyone has faced the challenges and done well. Life is about celebrating successes as well as persevering through difficulties. It is also important to continue learning and growing as a person. He shared a humorous anecdote about the famous German scientist Max Planck and his driver, who, although able to recite all of Planck's academic lecture, was at a loss when faced with critical questions. Likewise Dean Silley hoped that students would continue their lifelong education and development, not by mechanically grasping legal texts, but by mastering the understandings behind them. This analytical and critical thinking is the most valuable asset of CESL graduates.
Finally, Liu Fei, Chinese Co-Dean of CESL, delivered a speech. First of all, he introduced the basic situation of the 2021 graduates: this year, there are 99 double master's graduates at the China-EU School of Law and 44 MEIL graduates. Looking back over the past three years, students have left their youth at CESL. As the only law school approved by the Ministry of Education for Sino-foreign cooperation, this law school has always been at the forefront of the training foreign-related legal personnel in China. During the three years of students' growth at CESL and the past three years of development at CESL, the Chinese and European sides have always maintained a spirit of mutual respect and understanding and maintained a state of close cooperation. Finally, Professor Liu Fei hopes that students will keep in mind that wherever they are, they are CESL. From Toshihin Road to Xitoucheng Road, connecting not only Changping campus and Haidian ccampus, but also the reality and ideals of China and Europe through CESL. He wished all could find their own sky, and blessed all with brilliant stars.
The otherwise rainy sky had cleared at this moment, so students went in front of the main law library for a group photo.
At the end of the ceremony, the students returned to room 306, took a photo with Dean Liu Fei and Dean Monty Silley, and signed their autographs on the graduation backboard in order to memorialise their name’s in CESL’s history.
At this point, the 2021 CESL graduation ceremony successfully concluded. Best wishes to all, good luck and see you again in the future!
Written by: 2020 Double Master Song Yan
Photography: Yin Jianfeng, 2020 Double Master Tao Shizhe
