A Lifetime of Grace, A Heart of Gratitude

The 2026 Graduate Farewell Ceremony of the Department of Educational Psychology Successfully Held

The ceremony kicked off with teachers and students of the department checking in in an orderly manner. Different from traditional paper-and-pencil sign-in methods, this farewell ceremony adopted Lego figures as exclusive souvenirs for attendance. Each participant picked a unique figure, assembled and signed it personally, and placed it on the building block base.

Vivid Lego figures were arranged in clusters, forming a warm and cohesive big family of the Department of Educational Psychology. These tiny building blocks embody the teachers’ guidance and the fellowship nurtured over three years, as well as the original purity and passion for the discipline.

2 Blessing Video Screening

With the creative Lego check-in session concluded, the farewell ceremony entered a warm and touching chapter. A blessing video jointly recorded by all teachers and students of the department was played on site. Sincere wishes from every member of the Educational Psychology family were tenderly delivered to each graduate.

3 Faculty Speech

Professor Yang Xiangdong

Associate Professor Gu Xin

Professor Gu also shared three keywords as blessings for the graduates. The first is preserving the original aspiration for knowledge and exploration. Whether standing on the podium, working in enterprises, or engaging in scientific research in the future, graduates should never slow down their pace of learning and growth. The second is the ability to integrate knowledge and action. There are no standard answers in the real world, and involution and internal friction are inevitable. As psychology practitioners, graduates ought to apply professional knowledge to adjust their mentality and confront difficulties head-on. The third is holding a broad-minded vision. While freely pursuing personal value, integrating individual efforts into the strategic needs of the country and society will endow personal life with broader significance.

At the end of his speech, Professor Gu extended his sincere wishes for a bright future and joyful graduation to all graduates. He affectionately remarked, “All good things must come to an end, yet the Department of Educational Psychology will always be your warm home.”

Teacher Xiao Yue

Next, Teacher Xiao Yue, counselor of the 2026 graduating class, delivered a commencement speech. As the counselor who spent the most time with the graduates, she spoke in a sincere and relaxed tone and shared the precious fate she had with the students. Having joined the faculty in early 2022, she first crossed paths with the cohort during their postgraduate admission interviews. She took over the class the following year. Admitting that she was not adept at frequent social interactions, she chose to accompany the students quietly with a "minimum disturbance" approach. Though they did not gather very often in daily life, she treasured every warm moment: the flowers received on Teachers’ Day every year, heartfelt holiday greetings, and even the students’ gentle comfort for her when she was confused.

 shared that every student possesses unique shining qualities in her eyes. Some are diligent and reliable; some are free-spirited yet meticulous-minded; some are forthright and courageous in expression; some are simple and hopeful about life; some are low-key and reserved yet independent in thinking; and some always maintain unwavering motivation for what they love. She added humorously that through these partial observations, she discovered admirable qualities that she herself aspires to have. These sincere and vivid recollections filled the venue with immense warmth.

Teacher Xiao specially mentioned that this graduating class is the first cohort she has tutored in her career. Every moment spent with them ranks among the most precious memories of her early professional years. She also delivered her sincere wishes to the graduates embarking on new journeys. She noted that stepping into society means embracing a fully independent life, which inevitably involves frictions with reality. Nevertheless, the three years of postgraduate study have cultivated steadfastness and composure within them. She hoped that all graduates will always retain their passion for life and stride steadily, firmly and freely along their future paths.

4 Student Representative Speech

Chen Yulin

Chen Yulin, a graduate representative of the 2026 cohort, delivered a sincere, humorous and inspiring speech. She depicted the three-year postgraduate journey as a series of vivid vignettes and recalled the distinctive charm of every teacher. Amid prevailing doubts that “social sciences are dying”, some teachers strengthened her faith in the discipline. Some taught intimidating statistics with a constant gentle smile. Some gave lectures that were loosely structured yet highly coherent in essence. She also compared the valuable comments and revisions teachers offered for her papers to Chocliz ice cream — substantial and solid yet never overwhelming. Finally, she expressed her heartfelt gratitude to her supervisor, Associate Professor Ma Shufeng. She remarked humorously and sincerely that tutoring a careless student like her was probably a destined practice for her supervisor, yet it was Professor Ma’s rigorous scholarship, strong sense of responsibility and calm demeanor that shaped her into who she is today.

She also portrayed the unique radiance of her nine classmates. Some embrace universal love and aspire to protect nature. Some excel in both academic research and practical work. Some are proficient in coding while also skilled at handicrafts. Some are admirable all-rounders. Some devote themselves to neuroscience research while writing ancient poetry in their spare time. These nine distinctive individuals, though different in personalities and pursuits, “came together by coincidence, all enrolling in the Department of Educational Psychology of East China Normal University in September 2023, with no one ahead or behind”.She noted that the fate of their three-year gathering is just like their student ID numbers, equal and unordered. Now, everyone is embarking on new life journeys and heading for diverse futures. No matter when they look back, they can always find their true selves in these precious memories.

Lastly, she concluded with a romantic line exclusive to students of the Department of Educational Psychology: “The sample size covers merely three years, yet the p-value of knowledge’s influence remains significant — this is the result calculated by fate.”

Wang Teng

Wang Teng, the doctoral graduate representative, shared his academic experiences and reflections. He confessed that compared with formal thesis achievements, those trivial yet unforgettable moments throughout his doctoral journey — in-depth seminars, late nights revising manuscripts, and breakthroughs in overcoming research bottlenecks — left the deepest impression on him.

He stated that though students in the department engage in diverse research directions, they share the same core pursuit: exploring human growth. While studying the development of others, every student also achieves self-transformation. Furthermore, he sincerely thanked all teachers and classmates. He expressed gratitude for the meticulous guidance from faculty members and mutual support from peers, which warmed this demanding yet precious academic journey.

In closing, Dr. Wang wished all graduates well on their future journeys. He hoped that everyone would always uphold enthusiasm for education, bear in mind the profound meaning of the department motto — “Empower Growth, Pass on the Torch” — and adhere to the commitment to human care and the belief in lifelong growth.

5 Graduation Awards and Commendation

The ceremony then entered the graduation awards and commendation session. Breaking away from conventional formal procedures, the event featured an interactive game named "Guess the Facial Feature", creating a relaxed and delightful atmosphere on site.

The Department of Educational Psychology presented honorary certificates to outstanding graduates who made remarkable contributions in student work, scientific research practice, academic achievements and social practice, as a token of recognition and encouragement. Award-winning graduates also delivered heartfelt graduation messages.

Excellent Student Leader Award

Shi Haoran and Yan Junyu have long been dedicated to student work. They connected teachers and students with sincerity and served their peers with responsibility. Acting as warm bonds that united the class, they have also been reliable and capable assistants to teachers. The award was presented by Professor Jiang Yi from the Department of Educational Psychology.

Excellent Scientific Research Practice Award

Chen Yulin, Hao Lingxiao, Xu Chunyan, Wu Bin and Wang Teng have been committed to in-depth project research. Maintaining a passionate and rigorous attitude toward exploration, they have translated theories into practical application, explored education through diligent practice, and delivered in-depth yet heartwarming scientific research outcomes. The award was presented by Associate Professor Gu Xin from the Department of Educational Psychology.

Excellent Scientific Research Achievement Award

Xu Haoyu and Xia Wei have devoted themselves to academic research with sincere passion and reaped fruitful results through diligent exploration. They have delved into research projects and authored high-quality papers, demonstrating outstanding youthful strength in the academic field. The award was presented by Associate Professor Ma Shufeng from the Department of Educational Psychology.

Excellent Social Practice Award

6 Game Session

7 Stage Performances

Dance: One Heart of Sky and Sea

。Gao Yuejia, a master’s student of the 2024 cohort, presented a dance performance entitledOne Heart of Sky and Sea. With graceful and fluid movements, she conveyed the gentle and enduring power of life through dancing, expressing sincere gratitude to all teachers and classmates who have accompanied each other along the journey.

Poem Recitation: The Distance Ahead

Xu Haoyu, a master’s student of the 2023 cohort, delivered a recitation of her original poem The Distance Ahead. The verses look back on the hardships and warmth of the academic journey while gazing at the bright dawn of future paths. They interpret the perseverance and enduring enthusiasm of students from the Department of Educational Psychology despite trials and tribulations. The poem serves as a heartfelt confession to the campus and a resolute aspiration for upcoming new journeys.

Medley: The Promise of Dandelions

Zhang Hansheng, a 2024-cohort master’s student, and Associate Professor Ren Huiguang from the department jointly presented a song medley The Promise of Dandelions. The familiar melody evoked countless precious campus memories. The melodious singing traced the passing years and softly narrated the warm days spent studying and growing together on campus.

8 Wonderful Moments

As summer trees flourish and cicadas start to chirp, the 2026 Graduate Farewell Ceremony of the Department of Educational Psychology, East China Normal University, drew to a gentle close amid overwhelming warmth and joy.

Ahead lie distant mountains and winding rivers, with unique splendors awaiting every traveler. May all graduates stride into the future with professional knowledge and heartfelt warmth gained from the department, and shine brightly in the broader world. No matter how far they journey, the lights on the tenth floor of the Tian Jiabing Building will always stay lit for them, and the gentle breeze of the Liva River will always bear their names in memory.

The cohort gathered out of a shared devotion to exploring human growth. They probed developmental laws through literature research and data analysis, and gained in-depth insights into education through classroom learning and practical practice. Now their postgraduate journey has reached a milestone. What they carry forward is far more than academic degrees and certificates — it also includes the glimmer of lights during late-night manuscript revisions, mutual support in difficult times, and the tacit understanding shared in every smile at the graduation ceremony.