Stay True to Your Aspirations and Pursue Goodness and Truth

—Speech at the 2024 Graduation Ceremony and Degree Awarding of Xiangya School of Medicine, Central South University

By Chen Xiang, Executive Vice President of Central South University and Dean of Xiangya School of Medicine

June 20, 2024

Esteemed teachers, dear students, and honored parents,

Greetings!

Today, we gather to celebrate the achievements of another outstanding group of graduates from Xiangya School of Medicine. On behalf of the school, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to all the graduates, my deepest respect to the dedicated teachers, and my sincere gratitude to the parents who have supported our mission.

This year marks the 110th anniversary of Xiangya Medical Education. Over the past century, Xiangya has nurtured generations of medical elites, such as Zhang Xiaoqian, Tang Feifan, Li Zhenpian, Gao Jinglang, Xia Jiahui, Zhou Honghao, Wang Jian’an, and Ma Jun. Wang Jian’an and Ma Jun, alumni from the classes of ’78 and ’80, were elected as academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences last year, bringing immense pride to Xiangya.

Today, as new-generation Xiangya members, you will carry forward the legacy and shoulder the sacred mission of safeguarding people’s health and advancing medical science.

During your time at Xiangya, you have spent the most precious and memorable years of your youth. Here, you learned medical knowledge and honed your medical skills. You witnessed the rapid development of the school and experienced personal growth. You not only gained professional knowledge but also learned the importance of teamwork and staying true to your principles. From basic medical labs to clinical internships, from theoretical learning to practical operations, you have diligently written your own youth chapters. Among you are students like Li Zhanxu and Zhu Haodong, who excel in research with numerous high-level publications; Li Siyi and Wang Siyu, who have won major competitions in national medical innovation contests; and Zhang Xiaohan and Jiang Shali, who embody the spirit of Xiangya through their compassionate medical practices. These valuable experiences will serve as solid foundations for your future medical careers.

The past is like poetry, and the future like a painting. As you step out of the campus and embark on new journeys, whether in further studies or in work, I have a few words for you as someone who walked this path 31 years ago.

Firstly, hold firm to your ideals and remember the essence of being a healer. President Xi Jinping has stated that ideals and beliefs are not for show; they must be put into action to be convincing. Medicine is a noble profession that concerns life and the future. As medical professionals of the new era, you must always remember the core values of compassion and dedication to people's health, striving for excellence like the predecessors before you.

Secondly, take on responsibilities and fulfill your medical mission with diligence and perseverance. Medicine is both sacred and challenging, requiring a strong sense of responsibility and mission. In your future work, you will face complex situations and challenges, but regardless of the difficulties, you must forge ahead and take responsibility. As Wu Jing, Chang Shi, and Li Zhihong have shown in their careers, dedication and attention to detail are crucial. Let’s give them a round of applause for their exemplary contributions.

Thirdly, commit to continuous learning and innovation to stay at the forefront. Medicine is an ever-evolving field requiring ongoing learning, innovation, and practice. As future medical pioneers, you must have a mindset for lifelong learning and continuously update your knowledge and skills. Innovate and explore bravely. Just as Lin Ge’s recent publication in Nature Geneticsreflects groundbreaking work, you, too, should strive for fundamental explorations that advance medical science.

Lastly, uphold medical ethics and maintain the image of the medical profession. President Xi Jinping emphasizes the importance of medical ethics, urging medical practitioners to cultivate virtue, practice compassion, and become great doctors who care deeply for people. In your future work, always adhere to medical ethics and moral standards, demonstrating professional integrity and winning the trust and respect of the people.

Dear students, wherever you go and whatever you do, always remember the spirit of Xiangya: “Integrity, diligence, benevolence, and humility; seeking truth and precision, striving for excellence”. This spirit is your spiritual home and source of strength, guiding you on your future medical journeys.

Dear students, your alma mater is always your home and strongest support, as it has been for 110 years. Recently, Secretary Yi Hong and President Li Jiancheng met alumni across the globe, from Hong Kong to the United States, who shared their pride in Xiangya. Xiangya will always care for and support you. We welcome you to visit often and share your achievements and joy with us. We also hope you will give back to society, the alma mater, your parents, and all who have supported you.

Lastly, I sincerely wish all the graduates a bright future and great success in their careers. I wish our teachers good health and smooth work, and our parents happiness and all the best.

Let’s also collectively wish Central South University and Xiangya School of Medicine an even brighter and more glorious future.

Thank you all!