On June 29, IIIS Commencement and YaoClass Meeting 2018 were held in the Lecture Hall, FIT Building. Prof. Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, Dean of IIIS, Tsinghua University, Prof. Li Zheng, Vice President of Tsinghua University, Prof. Wei Xu, Assistant Dean of IIIS, and Dr. Chen Wang, IIIS alumnus, attended the ceremony and delivered speeches. All graduates 2018 and representatives of the teachers, students and graduates’ parents attended the ceremony. Prof. Xiongfeng Ma, tutor of YaoClass 2014, presided over the commencement.

Prof. Yao gave a welcome speech at the ceremony, and extended expectations and wishes to all the students. Professor Yao said that in the past years, computer science was actively changing the world. In April of this year, Turing AI Institute of Nanjing was established, and the scientific research team was actively expanding to make more exciting results. Prof. Yao shared a good news on an IIIS alumnus. In 2018 TR35 (35 Innovators Under 35), the list of 35 "outstanding young innovators in the world" under the age of 35, Qi Yin from YaoClass 2006 was on it, becoming a representative of outstanding young entrepreneurs in the field of AI. Prof. Yao wished all graduates started a brilliant journey.

Prof. Zheng Li congratulated the students who successfully completed their studies and delivered the best wishes to them. Prof. Zheng affirmed the efforts of IIIS for talent cultivation and highly praised Prof. Yao's high standards and high requirements which make YaoClass so outstanding. He hoped that 2018 graduates from IIIS would become people who could change China and influence the whole world.

Prof. Wei Xu brought a wonderful speech with the combination of interesting videos. This year is the 15th anniversary of graduation for him, so he wanted to give some expectations as a senior Tsinghua student. He mentioned that everyone should always remember the social mission of elites and hoped that everyone could bear in mind the responsibilities and missions endowed by society. At the same time, he suggested that all graduates should take the initiative to open up, learn a variety of knowledge and enrich themselves every day.

Dr. Chen Wang, General Manager of JiuKun Investment and Chairman of the investment decision-making committee, reviewed his study experience in IIIS, appreciated academic atmosphere at YaoClass, and thanked all IIIS teachers, especially Prof. Yao. Dr. Chen Wang encouraged graduates to take up the challenge with full enthusiasm in their future lives, and make contributions to our country.

Dingli Yu from YaoClass 2014, Song Zuo, doctoral graduate 2013 and Yunfei PU, doctoral graduate of 2012, delivered speech as representatives of graduates 2018.

The ceremony also commended outstanding graduates 2018 and outstanding student leaders of 2017-2018.

IIIS Commencement 2018 and YaoClass Meeting ended successfully. This year, a total of 56 IIIS students successfully completed their studies.

(By Qin Xie, Photo by Xiang Li)