On the morning of June 16, the 2026 Graduation Ceremony and Degree Conferral of the School of Business, Hunan University, themed "Ascend in Business Scholarship, Advance with Business Wisdom," opened with faculty and students singing the national anthem in unison. Liao Jizhong, Deputy Party Secretary and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission of Hunan University, attended and delivered a speech. Dean Yang Zhi, Party Secretary Zhang Yuejun, and other school leaders, faculty representatives from all departments, all student counselors, and graduating undergraduate, master postgraduate, doctoral graduate, and international students participated in the event. Some parents were also present to witness the ceremony. Li Enjun, Deputy Party Secretary of the School, presided over the ceremony.
Scenes from the Graduation Ceremony
Speaking on behalf of the university, Liao Jizhong warmly congratulated the 2026 graduates of the School of Business, while expressing thanks to the dedicated faculty and staff and to the parents for their unwavering support.
In this very year, which marks the 1,050th anniversary of the founding of Yuelu Academy and the centennial of the naming of Hunan University, he offered his words of encouragement to all graduates: with the integrity of "holding fast," build steadfastness of conviction; with the boldness of "breaking through," embody the wisdom of business; with the resolve of "looking far," compose the answer to the age. He encouraged students to “bear in mind the country’s fundamental interests” and actively integrate into the nation's development agenda; to apply the logical reasoning and innovative courage cultivated through Hunan University's business education to solve genuine problems and create tangible value; and to work steadily and persistently, opening new horizons in life through self-driven endeavor.
Liao Jizhong Delivers a Speech
Yang Zhi delivered a speech titled "In the AI Era, Be an Irreplaceable Person." He offered four expectations for the students: keep their bearings and make responsible choices in a complex era with sound judgment; blaze new paths with creativity, using AI to amplify their imagination and sharpen their practical skills; connect with people beyond algorithms and data with empathy, uniting hearts with genuine sincerity; and answer the call of the times with a sense of responsibility, serving not merely as beneficiaries of the era, but as its builders. He wished the students success in creating new value amid technological transformation and in truly becoming irreplaceable individuals in the AI era.
Yang Zhi Delivers a Speech
Hu Xuejun, Associate Professor and PhD Supervisor in the Department of Organizational Innovation and Strategy, spoke on behalf of all faculty. Drawing on her own academic journey, she shared her insightful reflections on the School's ethos of "Unity of Knowledge and Practice, Advancing with Integrity." She encouraged students to uphold the right path and establish themselves on “solid foundations”—becoming value creators with principles and a sense of responsibility; to pursue knowledge diligently and adapt with “innovation”—continuously updating their understanding; and to persevere with resilience on long journeys—embracing the mindset of "long-termism," where persistence yields breakthroughs. She wished the students broad vision to comprehend the world, great wisdom to guide their steps, humble diligence to accumulate virtue, and great endeavors to shape their lives.
Hu Xuejun Delivers a Speech
Graduate representatives who spoke included: Guo Shuhan (BBA '26, Business Administration); Wang Ziyu (BBA '26, Accounting); Xu Quanliang (MAcc '26, Accounting); Chen Zheng (MBA '26, Science and Technology Innovation Program); and Zhang Xueyan (PhD '26, Business Administration).
Graduate Representatives Deliver Speeches
During the ceremony, Li Enjun, on behalf of the Hunan University Alumni Association and the School of Business Alumni Chapter, announced the list of newly appointed alumni council members. Zhang Yuejun presented letters of appointment to Guo Shuhan and Yan Shiwen as university-level alumni council member and to Ye Xin, Nima Cuo, and 17 others as school-level alumni council member (19 in total).
Zhang Yuejun Presents Letters of Appointment to Alumni Council Member
The graduation ceremony concluded with the collective singing of Hunan University's alma mater. School leaders and faculty representatives then ascended the stage to perform the tassel-turning ritual for all undergraduate, master's, doctoral, and international graduates of 2026 of the School, wishing them to ascend in business scholarship and advance with business wisdom as they embark on broader life journeys.
Degree Conferral Ceremony
