On the evening of June 27, the 2023 graduation ceremony for Tanzhou Academy students at Xiangtan Institute of Technology concluded with great success in the university library auditorium. Special guest Liu Lingli, one of China’s Top 10 Inspirational Figures of 2023, attended the ceremony along with Vice President Dai Shugen, heads of various schools, all counselors, and over 400 students.

The ceremony began with the solemn national anthem, during which all attendees stood in respect, creating an atmosphere that was both formal and heartfelt.

Following this, teachers and students watched the documentary *Tanzhou Vibes · Nurturing Dreams – A Documentary on the 2023 Graduation Class of Tanzhou Academy at Xiangtan Institute of Technology*, reflecting on the unforgettable moments from the past year. Established in September 2021, Tanzhou Academy adopts a residential college model to provide general education and cultivate students’ innovative abilities, following the school's CFAP talent development philosophy. The academy aims to foster strong character, foundational skills, and professional competence, while guiding students to appreciate and carry forward the Huxiang culture and spirit, becoming individuals capable of great responsibilities.

"Freshman year is the foundation of college education. Whether students can form correct thoughts, develop good study habits, and establish a healthy lifestyle during this period will impact their quality of life in the future," said Vice Dean Xu Mei of Tanzhou Academy as she presented a comprehensive report on the 2023 students' progress in character building, foundational skill development, and overall quality improvement.

**Vice Dean Xu Mei Delivers a Work Report**

During their first year, Tanzhou Academy students focused on courses such as ideological and political theory, general English, mathematics, and physical education, in addition to general education courses. This helped cultivate a positive academic atmosphere, good hygiene habits, and a strong dorm culture. With an average class attendance rate of 99.41% and classroom cleanliness rate of 86.7%, many dormitories were recognized as exemplary. The "Striver's Camp" project also saw the emergence of numerous reading enthusiasts, with student Yu Wenli from the finance major already becoming a contracted online writer through her dedication to reading and writing in her spare time.

"As first-year students, it’s normal to experience some discomfort in adapting to a new environment, interpersonal relationships, and daily routines," shared counselor Zeng Taojiang, who spoke about the mutual growth between himself and the students. Tanzhou Academy adopts a project-based teaching approach, prioritizing character education while simultaneously improving students’ overall qualities.

**Counselor Representative Delivers a Speech**

Over the past year, the 2023 students have excelled in various academic competitions, winning 11 national and provincial awards in English competitions. Among them, Qin Yan and Gong Dingfang from Chinese Class 2307 won first prize in the National English Competition for College Students, while Fu Wenjin from Big Data Class 2303 won second prize in the "Tell China’s Story" National Foreign Language Writing Competition.

Students actively participated in the "One Hour of Exercise a Day" sports activities, with 3,197 students joining the campus running initiative, achieving a participation rate of 99.1%. Notably, Xie Wenhua from Computer Science Class 2303 logged over 110 check-ins. This year, Tanzhou Academy also collaborated with the Xiangtan Qi Baishi Memorial Museum to establish an "Art Study Class" as a practical base for students, offering outdoor sketching, lectures by master artists, and various art appreciation activities to promote Huxiang culture.

Student representative Qin Yan from Chinese Class 2307 shared her thoughts during the ceremony, expressing how Tanzhou Academy not only provides abundant learning resources but also a wide range of practical platforms. She encouraged her fellow students to work hard and find their own paths to success, where they can shine brightly.

**Student Representative Speaks**

Tanzhou Academy fully respects the interests and aspirations of its students. At the end of their first year, students have the opportunity to switch to a major that aligns with their interests and performance. So far, 523 students have successfully applied to change majors. "Our goal is to expand students’ autonomy and choice, allowing them to study in a field they are passionate about and encouraging interdisciplinary learning," said Director of Student Affairs, Fu Wei.

At the ceremony, parents sent their blessings and encouragement to the students through video messages, which touched everyone in attendance.

Liu Lingli, a parent representative and one of China’s Top 10 Inspirational Figures of 2023, gave an uplifting speech, encouraging students not to fear failure, as every failure is a step toward success. She expressed her hope that each student would bloom brightly on their own path in life and become the best version of themselves.

**Parent Representative Delivers a Speech**

Tanzhou Academy has reformed its talent evaluation standards, no longer relying solely on exams and grades as the primary criteria. Instead, the focus is on growth through hard work and progress through challenges. Various awards, including "Star of Tanzhou," "Sports Star," "Arts Star," "Inspiration Star," "Practice Star," "Outstanding Student Leader," and "Outstanding Counselor Assistant," were presented during the ceremony.

**Awards Presentation**

During the "Gratitude to Teachers" segment, students expressed their appreciation for their teachers' hard work in a unique way. They presented bouquets made from flowers they personally cultivated at the school's Happy Farm.

Vice President Professor Dai Shugen delivered an emotional speech, encouraging students to stay focused on their goals and forge ahead bravely amidst the rapid changes in the world and technological advancements. He urged them to continually improve themselves, hone their willpower, learn cooperation, and embody the spirit of unity and precision to contribute to both personal success and national prosperity.

**Vice President's Speech**

At the end of the ceremony, the entire counseling team from Tanzhou Academy performed the song "May You Be Loved by the World," singing their hopes and best wishes for the students’ futures.