On July 10, GTIIT Commencement for Graduates 2023 was held at the Gym of South Campus. Prof. Uri Sivan, President of Technion - Israel Institute of Technology, addressed at the ceremony.

Below is the full text of speech:

I am happy that today I can be here to congratulate as an addressing person to the brilliant graduates of the Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology cohort 2019 – a cohort unlike any other. For the previous three years, I could not be with you in person due to travel restrictions. This year, we are delighted to celebrate the achievements of the resilient graduates who navigated the challenges of the pandemic and pushed the boundaries of education and innovation.

This year, 2023, marks a turning point for GTIIT. Despite the global challenges that restricted the educational exchange between GTIIT and Technion in the last three years, our unique relationship has been cemented further. As we break the barrier of distance, we continue to merge the rich cultures and technological prowess of China and Israel. GTIIT is a shining example of human cooperation and resiliency, showing the way to a future of prosperity and understanding for every person and representing the long-lasting China-Israel friendship at the quintessence of the two time-honoured civilizations.

Dear graduating students, right here right now, this ceremony is the culmination of the excellence that has come from your whimsy, resilience and ambition. Today marks a brand-new chapter of your life -- You have joined a prestigious group of innovators and visionaries that dates back nearly 100 years, 99 years to be exact. This degree will act as your passport. It allows you to enroll in a prestigious and exclusive club of over 100 thousand Technion graduates worldwide. They have left indelible marks in many sectors over the previous century. This exceptional group of individuals, united by the transforming effect of their Technion education, includes thinkers, innovators, and trailblazers. Like everyone here, as part of the Technion, I am extremely proud that their contributions have made the world a better place. To name but a few, four Nobel laureates are among these outstanding graduates. And one of them, distinguished professor Aaron Ciechanover, is here with us to celebrate your commencement. The research conducted at the Technion has completely changed our understanding of medicine and paved the way for innovative therapies and treatments. In the field of high-end technology, the Technion is ranked number one in Europe when it comes to artificial intelligence. And let me tell you, the Technion is also one of the few universities in the world where students have the opportunity to design, manufacture, and launch satellites as part of their own projects. Our elite alumni are at the helm of multinational corporations, pioneering startups, creating innovative technologies, and shaping policies that are molding the future.

A month ago, I had the opportunity and honor to bestow the Technion Alumni Medal upon a distinguished Technion graduate, Johny Srouji. Mr. Srouji earned his bachelor's and master’s degree from the Taub Computer Science Department, and currently serves as Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Technologies, one of the most influential positions in the global high-tech industry. In his meeting with Technion students, he was asked about the role that the Technion played in his career, and he responded that his years of the Technion have taught him how to cope with difficult problems. And I quote: “I've coped with demanding courses that have challenged me, and at the same time, build my characters. During those years, I’ve learned how to address hard problems, break them down to amenable ones, solve those and then reassemble the solutions to produce the big picture.” I'm sure that this strategy sounds familiar to you, dear graduates. To that, he said, one should add what he called the IQ density around you of teachers and students alike. The competition that pushes you to excel, pushes you forward.

Dear students, you stand on the shoulders of giants, whose groundbreaking inventions and discoveries have forever shaped our world. As members of this exclusive club, remember that the privilege is balanced by responsibility: to uphold professional excellence, integrity, ethical standards, and a deep care for the environment and your community. Don’t forget that. In the spirit of the great Isaac Newton, remember that scientific and technological progress is a relay race, where each participant builds on the achievements of their predecessors. With this relay baton in your hands, you have been given the responsibility of expanding human knowledge and advancement, but do it for the good of all people.

I have three advices for you, dear graduates. First of all, I advise you to address major challenges. Choose a major challenge, think big, innovate wherever you find yourself – it could be a small startup company, it could be academia, it could be a large company – always strive to innovate, and don’t hesitate to take risks. Failure is part of the game. Don’t be afraid to fail. You will learn considerably from such failures. And I want to give you such a grand challenge as an example.

In April, 2022, a lens was fabricated in space for the first time, using innovative technology developed at the Technion. The fluidic shaping method, developed by Prof. Moran Bercovici’s research team could revolutionize space optics by overcoming the current limitations due to the size of the launcher and enabling the fabrication of giant lenses for space telescopes. Will that idea work? We don’t know yet. But it’s a grand challenge worth trying and even worth failing for it.

Through this case, I want to say that just bear GTIIT’s motto in mind, “Dream it and do it”, which is consistent with what Prof. Moran Bercovici told us, “No dream is beyond reach”. No dream should be beyond your reach. After all, dreaming big is the right of your young generation. I wish you to embrace the spirit of GTIIT as you set out on this thrilling journey, never forget the principles and abilities instilled in you throughout your time at GTIIT, and carry these into the wider world, weaving the rich fabric of Chinese culture with the desire for entrepreneurship and innovation.

As you leave GTIIT, I hope you remember your experience at GTIIT. Hope the memories warm your hearts and boost your will to achieve perfection. Technion and GTIIT's doors will always be open to you as you climb the success ladder. Best wishes, dear grads. Continue to break barriers, challenge norms, and use your knowledge for a greater scientific world, and for making this planet a better place for all.

Thank you!