On the evening of May 26, 2025, the Student Union of the Institute for Financial & Accounting Studies hosted the 2025 Graduation Gala. The event was officially attended by Zhou Minqin, Deputy Party Secretary of the School of Management; Hu Jinshuai, Vice Dean of the Institute for Financial & Accounting Studies; Liu Qian, Communist Youth League Secretary  of the School of Management; Chen Yimei, Counselor of the School of Management; and teachers from the Institute for Financial & Accounting, namely Li Maoliang, Li Shan, Hou Fangfang, Wu Zhiting, Li Wanyun, Yu Zhige, Che Yixing, Jin Yige, Ye Ling, and Zhou Zixuan.

 Figure 1: Decoration of the Graduation Party

Figure 2: Scene of the Graduation Party

Amid warm applause, hosts Tan Siqi and Zhuo Ye took the stage, extending sincere blessings to the graduates and officially opening the gala

Figure 3: Opening of the Graduation Party

Figure 4: Scene of Zhou Minqin, Deputy Party Secretary of the School of Management, Delivering a Speech

First, Deputy Party Secretary of the School of Management Zhou Minqin delivered a speech. Secretary Zhou expressed his heartfelt congratulations to the graduates and offered them several pieces of advice: Firstly, students should maintain their insight on their future paths, understand the underlying logic of development, and adhere to their original aspirations without being swayed by personal gain. Secondly, they should cultivate a resilient personality, believing that perseverance will lead to victory. Additionally, Secretary Zhou emphasized the importance of ideals and ambitions and encouraged students to dare to pursue their careers. Finally, Secretary Zhou stated that graduates should keep the school motto "Pursue Excellence, Strive for Perfection" in mind, always remember the warmth of IFAS and that the alma mater will always be a safe haven for everyone.

Next, Hu Jinshuai, Vice Dean of the Institute of Financial Management and Accounting extended his best wishes , noting that graduation marks the end of the student days but also the beginning of a new journey. Dean Hu also mentioned that the achievements the graduates have made now are inseparable from the care of their families and the love of society. Therefore, everyone needs to always have a grateful heart, be thankful to those who have helped them, and pass on this kindness to others.

Then, Liu Xi, Communist Youth League Secretary of the School of Management, addressed the graduates. Teacher Liu highlighted the knowledge, skills, and friendships gained during their studies and achieved their own growth. She hope that the graduates would continue to hold a pure heart, brave the wind and waves, and pursue their dreams.

Figure 6: Scene of Liu Xi, communist Youth League Secretary of the School of Management, Delivering a Speech

Following that, was a speech by Hou Fangfang.Teacher Hou sent her blessings to the graduates in both Chinese and English, saying the students had planted their best years where the kapok trees bloom, and interactions in the classroom were still vivid memories. She encouraged graduates to be diligent and steadfast in their work, able to withstand the test of time. No matter how high or far they fly, the gates of Xiamen University will always be open for them.

Figure 7: Scene of Hou Fangfang, Teacher Representative, Delivering a Speech

Graduate representative Situ Haiying reminisced about her wonderful time at IFAS, expressing gratitude for frendships and mentorship. She stated that the graduates would continue to pay attention to the development of their alma mater, take knowledge as arrows, faith as shields, and repay the school's care with a pure heart.

After the dinner, the gala officially entered the performance segment. The first performance was by Ashish Kumar, an international student from India, performed the song "Mouse Loves the Rice". As the familiar melody rang out, the atmosphere grew lively and cheerful.Many students in the audience began humming along,while the glowing stivks waved to the rhythm, blending with Ashish Kumar’s wonderful singing into a sea of joy. Next, Peter Kekeli, an international student from Ghana, sang "Goodness". His soulful voice touched everyone in the hall, and the performance ended with thunderous applause.Ashish Kumar then made a surprise return to the stage,presenting a vibrant dance medley. Whith each change of rhythm, his dance steps shifted style, giving the audience a vivid taste of exotic charm.

Next, Counselor Chen Yimei brought out the goal cards that the graduates had written three years ago when they first entered the university. She returned them one by one, inviting students to reflect on their younger selves while looking ahead to the future. Finally, Counselor Chen extended her heartfelt  blessings to the graduates.

Figure 12: Scene of Interaction between Counsellor Chen Yimei and Students

Figure 13: Scene of Graduates Singing together

The graduating class then performed the chorus  "If We Had Never Met". Every line filled with deep nostalgia for the past three years. Everyone in the audience was moved by the emotions conveyed in the lyrics, and the waving speed of the glow sticks gradually slowed down, filling the atmosphere with a sense of farewell.

Figure 14: Scene of Huang Jinni and Zhuo Ye Singing "Mayday"

Figure 15: Scene of Wnag Yilian Singing "Pearls and Jade"

Afterward, first-year graduate students Huang Jinni and Zhuo Ye performed a song  "Mayday", echoing the spirit of  this extraordinary May. Its light, breezy melody conjured the sense of late spring giving way to early summer—the cicadas not yet heard, the wheat just awakening.. Next came a solo by first-year graduate student Wang Yilian who sang "Pearls and Jade". Her moving voice portrayed both the brilliance and fragility of emotions over time, with the hope that friendships as precious as pearls would continue to shine warmly even after being polished by the long river of years. Then, second-year graduate student Li Bohan performed a solo of "Simon". His bright,powerful voice combined with emotional devotion, ending with enthusiastic applause and cheers from the audience.

Figure 16: Scene of Li Bohan Singing "Simon"

Figure 17: Scene of Teacher Yu Zhige Reciting "Facing the Sea, with Spring Blossoms"

As the atmosphere became livelier, Teacher Yu Zhige took the stage impromptu recitation of the poem "Facing the Sea, with Spring Blossoms", offering poetic wishes to the students. He was followed by  teacher Jin Yige, who performed a cheerful folk song, "Lift Your Veil". His performance prompted continuous applause and cheers from the teachers and students in the audience.

Figure 18: Scene of Teacher Jin Yige Singing "Lift Your Veil"

Figure 19: Scene of Teacher Liu Xi Singing "I Only Care About You"

 Next, Communist Youth League Secretary Liu Xi performed a beautiful song, "I Only Care About You". Teachers and students in the audience sang along, expressing the sadness of parting and the sentiment of having met and known each other. Teacher Wu Zhiting performed a Cantonese song, "Like You". As the familiar melody played, the graduates softly sang along, expressing their sincere love for Xiamen University and IFAS. The final performance was by doctoral graduate Su Zekai and his wife, who performed a duet of "Exchange Lifetimes". The beautiful melody echoed with the glow sticks dancing enthusiastically in the audience, filling the venue with joy and harmony. As the music faded, the gala’s performances gradually drew to a close.

Figure 20: Scene of Teacher Wu Zhiting Singing "Like You"

After the performance segment, Zhou Minqin, Deputy Party Secretary of the of the School of Management, and Hu Jinshuai, Deputy Dean of IFAS, together cut the graduation cake. Finally, all the teachers and students gathered for a group photo, preserving the memory of this unforgettable evening.

Figure 21: Scene of Su Zekai and His Wife Singing "Exchange Lifetimes"

Figure 22: Zhou Minqin, Deputy Party Secretary of the School of Management, and Hu Jinshuai, the Vice Dean of IFAS, are cutting graduation eggs with the graduates

Figure 23: Group Photo Taken for Commemoration

Tonight, the shimmering lights of Furong Lake and the fragrance of kapok flowers will forever treasure the marks of our studies. Standing on Baicheng Beach and gazing into the distance, the lights of the library and the silent reflections in classrooms now turn into stars, illuminating the path forward. Remember, whenever you return, the moonlight over Shangxian Field will always keep a gentle watch for you. Goodbye is for a better reunion! Wishing the 2025 graduates of IFAS a bright future and radiant success!

Text: Yi Ru

Pictures: Ji Yilin