On July 2, the SIO held the 2024 graduate commencement and master’s degree awarding ceremony. The graduates successfully completed their study at the SIO and embarked on a new life journey. Director Fang Yinxia, Deputy Director Mei Xianjun, Discipline Inspection Commission Secretary Chen Li, heads of various departments, laboratories (centers, institutes), and representative mentors attended the ceremony. Some graduates’ relatives and friends were also invited to witness the event.

A total of 66 graduate students were awarded master’s degrees this year. Director Fang Yinxia awarded conferred degrees, presented certificates and took commemorative photos for each graduate. Leaders of the SIO and mentor representatives awarded certificates of honor to winners of national scholarships, outstanding graduates of Zhejiang Province and the SIO, outstanding student cadres, outstanding master’s theses, and “academic stars”. The achievements of this year’s graduates are remarkable. Over 58% of them published (accepted) SCI/EI papers as first authors, and the total number of SCI/EI papers reached a historic high. Three individuals were awarded the title of outstanding graduates of Zhejiang Province, and 15 will continue their doctoral studies at prestigious domestic and international universities such as the University of Oxford, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Nanjing University. Various indicators of graduate education have shown gratifying growth.

Director Fang Yinxia encouraged the graduates to be daring in exploring new territories, to embark on a new life chapter, to firmly hold onto their ideals and beliefs, to immerse themselves in the currents of the times, to bravely accept unknown challenges, to overcome difficulties, to move forward on the right life path, to maintain the ability and courage to innovate and to explore broader areas for growth with the spirit of creators and pioneers. She also hoped the graduates to have the nation in mind, dare to be the first, stay realistic and pragmatic, persist in innovation and hard work, carry the spirit of the SIO, and strive to write a youthful chapter of dedication and responsibility to Chinese-style modernization.