Dear students, respected faculty and staff members, ladies and gentlemen:
Good Morning!
I am delighted to be here to welcome you all to this new beginning at Peking University Shenzhen. This year, we have a total of 1027 new students and 59 new faculty and staff members joining us. Among the new students, there are more than 50 international students from over 30 countries. On behalf of Peking University and Peking University Shenzhen Graduate School, I sincerely welcome you and wish you all success during your time study on campus.
As the chancellor of PKU Shenzhen, this is my sixth welcome speech gives at the opening ceremony of the academic year. Each time when I prepare for my speech, I would ask myself, what’s special about this year’s students? What should I say to them? Well, this year, I found out that, most of our new students belong to a very special, new generation; almost all of you are born in the 1990’s, which are labelled as the ‘Me Me Me generation’ or the ‘Millennials’ in a recent Time Magazine cover story.
What’s so special about this generation? According to Time Magazine, you are the most threatening and exciting generation since the baby boomers brought about social revolution. The Industrial Revolution made individuals far more powerful--they could move to a city, start a business, read and form organizations. The information revolution has further empowered individuals by handing them the technology to compete against huge organizations, for example, hackers attack corporations, bloggers suppress newspapers, terrorists threaten nations, YouTube players compete studios, app-makers shake up the entire industries.
Furthermore, the 90’s generation is a very promising one. You have not been burdened with as many hardships as have the previous generations before you. Fortunately you are freer to be yourselves and be globally minded. You live in a world that is flooded with electronics and social media, and you are capable of communicating with people from all corners of the globe. It is only within this generation that China has become a place to receive students from Germany, Pakistan, Mexico, Turkey, Russia, US and many other countries. This broad and diverse environment provides the necessary conditions that cultivate a much more independent and innovative generation.
However, you are also facing unique challenges. The world has only just begun to recover from economic recession. China has enjoyed the longest period of rapid growth in history and is facing the challenge of figuring out how to maintain the growth sustainably. At the same time, China is also struggling with economic and political reforms, social development and international competitiveness, which are all crucial factors ultimately determine whether or not China can truly become a world leader. The next two or three decades, could be the most critical period in China’s recent history. As you are completing your studies and starting your careers, you will find yourselves right in the middle of the most critical moment of China. I believe that with your international understanding, your independent thinking, innovation and leadership capabilities, you will prove to be the most valuable and promising generation that China and the world need.
With these in mind, I want to offer you some advices:
Firstly, enjoy your short time as a student on our campus. For some of you, this may be the last formal education you will have. You can enjoy yourselves in the exploration of new ideas without the burdens of real world pressures. I encourage you to become an active member of our PKU Shenzhen community. This is the time to learn from mistakes without have to pay heavy cost. PKU Shenzhen offers you the opportunity to developing academic excellence and conducting cutting-edge research. I fully expect that you can quickly learn to control your lives and become independent thinkers and problem solvers down the road.
Secondly, have clear goals, goals that are high and noble. What do I mean by “high” goals? Your goals should be life-long, with an aim that is not only to earn a high salary, but also to make contributions to the society. A high goal will lead you to great and wonderful achievements. Never aim to mediocre; strive for excellence always. However, to achieve high goals, a careful balance is required between thinking and doing, health and hard work, desire and discipline, freedom and responsibility. Through rigorous academic courses, you would grow stronger. Do not aim to compete with peers, instead, challenge yourself by overcoming your own limits and creating new records. You are the futures of this nation and this world, and the time as graduate students will help you define your live principles and work ethic. I caution you to be mindful and responsible for making your decisions.
Thirdly, as a part of the PKU tradition and spirit of Shenzhen, I want to urge you to think innovatively. Freedom of thought, innovation, and be tolerate to different ideas are the true characteristics of PKUers. Here, on this campus, new discoveries and improvements are often created by our students who ask critical questions and offer solutions. PKUers are not afraid to do something that has never been done before. However, a true leader must bear a sense of responsibility. In this regard, people and even our own students often misunderstand the so called “PKU spirit.” I want to remind you, young PKUers, to show the world that you are not only able to make free choices, but also indeed are a responsible citizen to the community, the country and the world.
Fourthly, honesty is the foundation of responsibility. As young leaders, it is vital for you to be a fair and honest person. At PKU Shenzhen, you have a great environment to develop this aspect of your personality. There will be times when you are tempted to take a easy but dishonest way. But, I urge you to follow your conscious, even if that means taking a difficult road. PKUers are models for the society; people expect you to be the kind leaders that will be followed by others. An ancient saying puts it this way, ‘Whoever is trustable with trivial things can also be trusted with the most critical, and whoever is dishonest with trivial things will also be dishonest with the most critical.’
My dear students, you are at the crossroads of a new life. At PKU Shenzhen, we have students from every part of the world. Everyone here, even within China, comes from a different background; some are wealthy, some are poor, some are athletic, some are poetic, some are musical, some are mathematical and so on. It is essential that we respect and understand each other by celebrating our similarities as well as our differences. As Aristotle once said, ‘It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.’ As PKU Shenzhen student, I hope that you continually strive be a critical thinker with a global perspective and vision. You are leaders not only for China, but also for the world.
Before I finish my speech, I want to give you some more heartfelt advice,: face challenges bravely; and be philosophical in adversity. When you encounter difficulties, take a step back and look at the bigger picture with patience. The life of a graduate student can be demanding, but with an open-mind and compassion, nothing can’t be overcome.
I congratulate you all for joining PKU Shenzhen and the vibrant community. I wish you all the best of luck during your time here on Nanyan campus. See you around.
Thank you!
尊敬的来宾、尊敬的各位老师、各位同学：
你们好！
很高兴能在这里与大家共同开始2013级的第一堂课，祝贺你们加入了北大深圳这个大家庭。刚刚，我们满怀喜悦地迎来了1027名新同学，其中还有来自五大洲30个国家的69名国际学生。同时，我们还迎来了59名新教师和新员工。在此，我代表北京大学和深圳研究生院的全体师生对你们表示热烈的欢迎并送上衷心的祝愿，南国燕园将尽其所能，给你们提供一个多元、自由、开放的平台，让你们在这里的时光多彩而难忘。
作为北大深圳研究生院的院长，这是我第六次在开学典礼上讲话。每一次当我准备讲稿时，我都要自问，这一级新生有什么特别之处？我该跟他们谈些什么？那么今年，我发现你们中的的大多数新生，都是90后，都是新生代，是新的一代。你们痴迷于电子产品，你们张扬个性，为自己代言，并使得‘90“后成了你们的社会标签，连《时代周刊》都在2013年5月以封面文章的形式对你们进行深入解读，并给了你们另外一个称号“我我我一代”，并声称：你们对于社会变革来说是自婴儿潮时期以后最危险也是最令人振奋的一代。国内有些人甚至觉得你们过于自我，而不会对这个社会和世界有什么大的贡献，现实中是这样吗？
不，相反，就我个人的观察与理解，我认为你们90后是最有希望的一代，已经并将会是大有作为的一代，而你们的到来，也标志着我们校区新时代的到来。因为，你们有源于内心的自信，没有历史的包袱，更加追寻真正自我。你们在国际化浪潮长大，更懂得四海一家，更能做到文化包容。你们更倾向于独立思考，敢于创新，敢于选择，在怀疑与甄别中更能谨慎地得到生活的馈赠。事实上，每一代人都有每一代的无奈，每一代人也有每一代的辉煌。从另一个角度来说，作为90后的你们又是如此的幸运，你们更加自由，你们可以更加自我，并有机会在中国的南国燕园和德国、巴基斯坦、墨西哥、土耳其、俄罗斯等世界各国的青年人一起成长，一起收获。
然而，你们同样面临着诸多挑战，这包括刚刚从衰退中有所恢复但还不稳定的世界经济，以及变化迅速的时代进程等等。对于中国而言，我们经历了历史上最长时期的高速增长，现在则到了需要进行深层次的政治改革、社会管理制度改革并强化国际竞争力的关键时期，而这些的成功与否将决定中国能否实现从发展中国家向世界的领导者的跨越，因此，未来的这二十年甚至三十年十分关键。而这未来的几十年正是你们成长、发展的关键时期。我相信，有着国际化的视角的你们能够成为独立的思考者和创新的领导者，能够向这个社会和世界证明：你们是优秀的一代，是大有所为的一代。
今天，是你们全新的开始，也是南燕新的开始，作为院长，我有几点想法与大家分享。
第一，请好好珍惜你人生中最后的学生时光，尽情的享受这段没有任何社会压力、能遨游在思想的海洋中的日子，真诚地与你们文化背景多元化的同学们相处并相互学习，勇敢地去试错求真。北京大学深圳研究生院将会赋予你们求知的渴望和追求真理的能力，我期待你们作为北大人，能够尽快做到自我控制，并成为独立的思想者和梦想的践行者。
第二，我们要有一个清晰的、远大的奋斗目标，要拒绝平庸，超越自我。那什么才算是远大的目标？一个崇高的理想和远大的目标需要你在个人和社会、思与行、健康和事业、欲望与自律、自由与责任之间寻找平衡。它必须能随着时间的延伸而升华，它并不是为了个人私利和物质享受，而是服务于一个更高的层次。请相信我，亲爱的同学们，一个高远的目标将带你走的更远。它能敦促你积极主动的为实现这一目标而刻苦学习，它会让你即使在功成名就的时候也持续努力奋斗。这并不是在与别人的竞赛，而是你对你自己的超越。它能让你不断挑战自己的极限，打破自己的记录。所以，请你们慎重而负责任的选择自己的目标。
第三，作为北大传统与深圳精神的共同脉搏，创新是每一个北大人的精神气质。这个世界始终缺乏有自由思想的领导者，而自由思想、兼容并包一直是北大人的特点。自由独立的思想是任何人都偷不走的，即使是身陷困境它依然能温暖着你。无论何时，我们都要海阔天空的想，脚踏实地的干。我希望你们能保持好奇。这也是各种新发明、新发现的源头。不要羞于问问题，不要害怕做第一个吃螃蟹的人。但是同时，请记住，自由与责任是相辅相成的。很多人都误解了北大精神中自由的含义。我希望你们能向世人证明，北大人所理解的自由是具有责任感、深谋远虑的，它让你能从全人类的角度出发而不是狭隘的只考虑自己的得失。
第四，诚实也是责任的一个方面。你们是国家未来希望的灯塔，如果一个国家的领导者是诚实的，那么这个国家也是这样。在这里，北大会有助于你培养诚实的品性。可能有很多次你很容易受到诱惑并以一种不诚实的方式获得利益，但我建议你选择品德和荣耀而不是短期的利益，尽管这条路可能会较难走。北大人是社会的模范，是人们争相效仿的领导者，我希望你们都能成为值得别人追随仿效的人，为下一代做出正面的示范。西方有句名言，“小事情上不遗余力，大事情上才可担当大任。反之，小事情上敷衍塞责，大事情也终归是空中楼阁”。
亲爱的同学们，你们正处在新生活的节点上。北大深圳就是一个现实生活的微缩。我们的学生中有来自全世界各个地方的学生。即使是中国学生也是来自于不同的地区。无论富人、穷人、体育健将、吟游诗人、音乐爱好者还是数学天才，我们都能在校园里找到他们。相处的前提是我们必须相互尊重，试着了解对方，欣赏对方的优点并包容那些与我们不同的特质。亚里士多德曾经说过，受教育的标志是你可以不接受一种观点，但你能够容纳它。对于一个北大人来说，找到你们在这个世界上的定位很重要。你们不仅是中国的领导者，也是世界的。
在讲话结束之前，我还想给你们一些真诚的建议，希望你们在未来的学习生活中勇敢的接受挑战。在逆境中要做一个哲学家，遇到困难的时候，要退后一步观察全局并保持信心。研究生生活是充满挑战的，拥有一些耐心、一份胸襟和一个仁慈的心能助你披荆斩棘。
最后，祝大家在新的学年身体健康，学业有成，感谢你们选择了北京大学！
