With a call for graduates to "seek truth and innovate, manage the world and benefit the people with great love for home and country," Yunnan University of Finance and Economics (YUFE) celebrated its Class of 2025 with a grand graduation and degree awarding ceremony. The events were held on the mornings of June 25th and 26th at the South Campus Gymnasium and the Anning Campus Gymnasium, respectively.

University leaders personally awarded degree certificates to each graduate, while University Party Committee Secretary Chen Hong presented "Excellent Physical Health" certificates to student representatives. In what has become a cherished tradition, University President Wang Min delivered the final "ideological and political lesson" to the departing class.

"Dear students, our shared YUFE is a university that keeps pace with the times and bravely moves forward," President Wang began. "Since its founding, it has sent nearly 300,000 skilled professionals into society. Generations of the YUFE community have passed the torch, striving tirelessly and forging our university's unique spiritual legacy."

President Wang urged the graduates to remember YUFE's revolutionary "red" heritage, to hold fast to the university motto, "Studious and Steadfast, Virtuous and Visionary," and to embody the YUFE ethos of "Forever Advancing, First to Dare" as they build their futures.

He noted that as the university continues to integrate into national strategies and serve regional development, the ethos of "Forever Advancing, First to Dare" is more critical than ever. He offered his hopes for the graduates: "Hold firm to your beliefs and embrace your country to achieve lives of greater purpose; continue to strive diligently to achieve lives of deeper meaning; uphold virtue and kindness to achieve lives of refined character; and love life and stay healthy to achieve lives of greater significance. In the days to come, no matter where you are, your alma mater will always care for you, support you, and bless you. YUFE will always be your strong backing and warm home, and its gates will always be open for you!"

Voices from Faculty and Students

Faculty and student representatives shared their reflections and words of encouragement.

"The ambition to strengthen the nation through finance and economics, and the responsibility to manage the world and benefit the people—this is the belief that professionals in our field must engrave in their hearts," said Professor Zhou Wei of the School of Finance. He advised students "to have your country in your heart, a spark in your eyes, and your feet on the ground; to make data warm and your profession responsible—that is the true spirit of a new YUFE youth in the new era."

Professor Li Shaojuan from the School of Logistics and Management Engineering spoke of the value of overcoming challenges. "Setbacks teach us a kind of survival wisdom that smooth sailing never can," she said. "Exchanging failure for experience makes us more capable of facing the future than ever before. Please believe that the power of continuous accumulation will release unexpected energy throughout your lives."

Undergraduate representative Xiao Yundi of the School of Economics reflected on his four years: "The 'marginal analysis' we learned at YUFE taught us to weigh pros and cons, 'Das Kapital' taught us to discern the essence, and the research reports we wrote taught us to be down-to-earth. The nights we stayed up together, the applause we won, and the setbacks we overcame will forever be our armor against difficulties."

"Graduation is both an end and a beginning," said Qiu Qian, a representative from Zhonghua Vocational College. She encouraged her peers to uphold the YUFE spirit of "Forever Advancing, First to Dare" and the school's ethos of "seeking truth and innovation" as they move forward.

Graduate representative Zhang Baode of the Accounting/Audit School added, "YUFE taught us not just how to handle accounting entries, but more importantly, how to remain rational amidst change and adhere to principles in complexity."

Liu Pengpeng, an international student representative from Laos, shared her gratitude for her eight years at the university. "YUFE was not only a campus where I gained knowledge, but a platform where I could spend my youth, make friends, and broaden my horizons. It is a place where I could grow, transform, and chase my dreams."

In a touching tribute, graduate representatives presented flowers to faculty and staff—including supervisors, counselors, foreign teachers, medical workers, cafeteria staff, and security personnel—thanking them for their years of patient guidance and support.

The ceremony was presided over by Deputy Party Secretary Shi Zhongjun. Vice President Li Zhengbiao announced the recipients of provincial and university-level outstanding graduate awards, and the university leadership presented certificates to the honorees and appointed the 2025 YUFE Alumni Liaison Ambassadors.