Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) Commencement for Bachelor Degree Graduates 2022 was held at the Gym of GTIIT South Campus on the afternoon of July 11. Prof. Dganit Danino, Dean of GTIIT Undergraduate Studies delivered a speech at the ceremony. She introduced the excellent performances of graduates and hoped they could be confident to move forward to their next destination.

Dear Technion and GTIIT managements and leaders, Faculty and teachers, Family members, and our dear students,

Today is an exciting day! Yes, graduates of class 2022, today is your day: upon the completion of your studies, you are being awarded the Technion and GT graduation certificates. These certificates are special – they reflect your achievements, they tell the world you are Technion Engineers, and, they also show our appreciation and trust in you. Congratulations!

4 years ago, you made a decision to join our small new university, GTIIT.  This was not a trivial or rush decision, we know you had easier respected alternatives. But you selected us because you trusted the Technion legacy, and wanted the cross-cultural environment and rewarding top-level high education that we offer. And by doing so, you committed to working hard on whatever is in front of you to reach winning to the happy moment of today.     

Equally, we, GTIIT and the Technion, invited you to join this great project and the Technion family. And by doing so, we committed to providing the teachers and programs, the knowledge and training, and a supportive environment that will bring you winning to the happy moment of today.

During these 4 years, GTIIT grew and advanced: the number of students nearly tripled reaching now over 1000. The study programs doubled to 6, with the 7th on way.  We opened this beautiful new campus that hosts us today, and we advance activities on a nearly daily basis to fulfill the teaching and research needs of our developing university. 

During these 4 years, you students, grew and advanced.

You are motivated, determined and dedicated. We saw engagement and self-development, and your growth from young and shy when coming to school, to who you are now: open and confident to ask questions and speak up. Confident in the education and knowledge that is in your hands. Mature and ready to move forward to your next destination. 

Let me share with the families and guests some more information on you, your achievements, and plans: Most of class 2022 students were born in or after 2000, “the post-00s generation” [Pinyin: Líng Líng Hòu](零零后). One of the prominent characteristics of this generation is that they are more free and confident to express themselves. 212 students graduate today. This is 40% more than last year. 79 of today’s graduates, 37%, are females, which is near the Technion’s average of 40%. 

More than 12.5% graduate with a GPA higher than 90. Please remember they successfully completed generally within 4 years the very demanding Technion studies, in a foreign language, within this complicated period of global world pandemic. This is impressive. 

Several students earn a dual degree – their major with also minor of Math with computer science. More than 130 students are already enrolled to graduate studies. This number is by itself amazing, but we want to add more:  

Though we are a young university, and this is only the second cohort, the legacy of the Technion and the success of our first cohort and your own achievements already have an impact. Earlier this year we had a fair in campus. Representatives from highly reputed universities such as Boston University, University of Southern California, the Ohio State University and others, came all the way to Shantou to meet with you in person, in order to convince you to join their universities.

Altogether, more than 400 offers were received:  30 students will start their studies in Technion and Technion/GT graduate studies/programs in the coming winter semester. This sums to more than 55 GT alumni at the Technion in just two years, which reflects the true strong bonds of trust, respect, potential, and opportunities established between the home and daughter institutions. 

And we will have many ambassadors: one student is joining Stanford, 2 are going to the Weizmann Institute, 5 in Columbia University, 8 in Cornell University, 6 in UCLA, and also in John Hopkins, and the list continues on and on…. Other students stay in campus to further expand their research experience, and some received already job offers.    Well done class 2022!   ?? ?????.

No one makes it to graduation alone. There are many to thank and I want to begin by thanking all the families and friends in the audience today. Family is an anchor of support; Our students, your children, were able to fly high because of your continuous support. We felt your care to our school during the regular as well as the pandemic times, and we want you to know that we appreciate it very much. Thank you on behalf of GTIIT and the Technion; We welcome you to the Technion community.

I extend the thanking to all the many people who worked with you and supported you in each step on the way throughout these 4 tremendous challenging years in GTIIT: The Technion management and leaders, Chancellor Gong, and Vice Chancellor Gershoni; Program heads, faculty professors and academic advisors; your countless teachers and tutors, many who came from the far to excite you students and educate the Technion way. I also convey our strong appreciation to the dedicated GTIIT staff, including the University’s Office, Student Affairs Office, the Career Center, and the UG team for continuously and professionally accompanying you throughout your long journey.

On behalf of the GTIIT community, as well as the Technion and the home faculties, Biotechnology and Food Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, I wish to again congratulate you students. As you turn your focus to the future and your life ahead with high hopes - know that like your families, we all feel the pride in your accomplishments and wish you to continue to be successful and to prosper. Use the toolbox you earned in school, continue to learn, analyze, ask questions, dare, be creative, face challenges, identify the opportunities that come along your way. And always follow personal and professional high ethical standards, and navigate your decisions for the benefit of the society, humanity and the world. The last request from all of us – keep well and safe, and be happy. I hope that GTIIT will remain to be a place where you want to come back after graduation, often in your memory and sometimes in person. Please know you are always welcome. Share with us your achievements. 

We have full confidence that you will be successful - you already showed to yourself and to us that you can do it!     

Dream it – Do it! 

Thank you!