Post #107 29 June 2016

Gentlefolk,

The big event this week was UPC's graduation, described in this post.

About 6,000 students are graduating this week (roughly 5,000 undergraduates and 1,000 Post-graduates).  This  is a BIG BIG day for the students - the culmination of years of hard study.

First, on Monday morning there was a big ceremony held in the Gymnasium, attended by all 6,000. They sat in Colleges, wearing different coloured shirts - an impressive sight.  There were three speeches, and the top 50 Post-graduates received Awards. It all took about an hour (8.30 - 9.30am).

Second, awarding of degrees to each student.  This took place in the Yi Fu Conference Center. Different majors came in (about 150 students at a time) and one-by-one the students received their degree from UPC's President, Professor Shan Hong Hong. The awarding of degrees takes 3 days.

Can you imagine how exhausted she must be after shaking 6,000 hands and giving them their degrees?

Here are some photos of these events.  I have more photos related to my ex-classes, but this post is already long enough, so will do a separate post.

The Gymnasium

The front steps of UPC's iconic Gymnasium

Inside the Gymnasium, the students were seated according to their Colleges, denoted by different coloured shirts. An impressive sight.  The whole event was very well organised.

Another view of the Gymnasium.

Another view of the Gymnasium. It is an amazing structure, with an interesting 'honey-comb' roof.

The Leader's area. Today the President (we call them Vice Chancellor in Australia) was present together with Vice Presidents and Deans of Colleges.

Everyone stood for the National Anthem.

President of UPC, Professor Shan Hong Hong, made the key-note address. It's rare for a woman to head a major university in China, especially one which is science-focused.  She is a geologist by training, and highly respected. 

Only a couple of hundred parents and friends turned up.  This is a very significant event in a student's life, and I thought more relatives would attend. But, realistically, it is a work day, and 95% of students come from outside Qingdao, many from far away.  Pity.

At the conclusion, the students on the 'floor' took their chairs back to their dormitories.

Students - faces of the future

I taught these students 3 years ago, International Trade classes 1201 and 1202. They remembered me!

Awarding of degrees

There was a huge poster outside the Yi Fu Conference Center announcing the graduation details.

First, the students lined up in their classes outside the Yi Fu Center.

Second, they sat in allocated places in the main conference hall inside the Yi Fu Center, and waited for their turn to go to the stage.

Third, students lined up on the side on the stage, waiting their turn.

Fourth, the students bowed and approached President Shan one-by-one. She shook their hand and gave them their diploma. Photo taken. Sometimes a student insisted on giving President Shan a quick hug - threw out the system - to the delight of on-lookers. 

President Shan Hong Hong and one of the graduants in International Trade.

 ...

It all went very smoothly.  A major exercise handling 6,000 graduates, but Chinese are used to dealing with large numbers and are usually well-organised.

As mentioned, I have some photos of specific students, but will do a separate post with them This post is already long enough.

Best wishes,  keep well and keep smiling.

Alex & Vera Olah
English teachers at the China University of Petroleum, Qingdao
www.upc.edu.cn
Wednesday, 29 June 2016