March 28

University Commencement Ceremony

On March 28, Shanghai Jiao Tong University held the 2026 Graduate Commencement and Degree Conferment Ceremony at the Huo Yingdong Sports Center on the Minhang Campus.

University President Kuiling DING, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered a commencement address titled “Embrace Your Choices and Move Forward with Innovation.” On behalf of both himself and Party Secretary Zhenbin YANG, he congratulated the graduates and shared words of encouragement.

Group Photo of the Class of 2026 Master’s Graduates

March 27

ICCI Graduation Ceremony

On March 27, the School of Cultural and Creative Industry (ICCI) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University held its 2026 Master’s Graduation Ceremony at Shanghai Museum East (hereafter referred to as Shanghai Museum East).

The ceremony brought together university leaders, representatives from cultural institutions and the creative industries, as well as ICCI faculty and students. Among the distinguished guests were Xin ZHAO, Deputy Party Secretary of Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Qinghua CHEN, President of Zizhu International Education College; Bu ZHONG, Dean of the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University and Director of the AI Media Research Centre; Feng LI, Chairman of Shanghai Museum Cultural & Creative Co., Ltd.; and several industry leaders and partners from the cultural and creative sectors.

More than 150 guests, faculty members, and students attended the ceremony at Shanghai Museum East to celebrate the achievements of the graduating class and mark the beginning of their next chapter.

Xin ZHAO, Deputy Party Secretary of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, congratulated the graduates on behalf of the university. He encouraged them to cultivate cultural confidence, embrace the opportunities of the digital era, and pursue innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration. He also urged them to integrate their personal aspirations with broader social development and contribute to cultural innovation and cross-cultural exchange.

Feng LI, Chairman of Shanghai Museum Cultural & Creative Co., Ltd. and Executive Vice President of the Shanghai Museum Association, highlighted the growing importance of cultural and creative industries in revitalizing cultural heritage. He encouraged graduates to draw inspiration from traditional Chinese culture and leverage creativity and technology to expand the impact of cultural storytelling.

Weimin ZHANG, Dean of ICCI, reflected on the academic journey shared with the graduates and encouraged them to become leaders, innovators, and responsible practitioners in the age of artificial intelligence.

Upholding ICCI’s motto—“Sincerity · Professionalism · Innovation”—he urged graduates to explore emerging technologies, engage with interdisciplinary collaboration, and contribute to the transformation of the cultural and creative industries.

Shantanu Dutta, Chair Professor at the USC Marshall School of Business, delivered congratulatory remarks via video. He highlighted ICCI’s commitment to cultivating globally oriented talent and encouraged graduates to broaden their perspectives through international collaboration and industry engagement.

During the ceremony, Weimin ZHANG, Ting HAN, Heshan CHANG, Ke XUE, Jinzhang JIANG, Renzuo ZHAN, and Wenxun HE presented diplomas and degree certificates to the Class of 2026.

Heshan CHANG and Ke XUE presented certificates to recipients of the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Outstanding Graduates award.

Ting HAN and Ke XUE presented honors to students recognized under the “Academic Rising Star” research awards.

Students from ICCI’s first “AI + Digital Content Creation” Micro-Program successfully completed their studies. Certificates were presented by Jun WANG, Yi XU, and Mo LIANG.

The ceremony also marked a new step in ICCI’s international academic collaboration. Weimin ZHANG and Qinghua CHEN presented the appointment certificate for Overseas Director of the International Association for Cultural and Creative Industries Research to Bu ZHONG, Dean of the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University and Director of the AI Media Research Centre.

ICCI also appointed new Industry Mentors from leading organizations in the cultural and creative sector. Weimin ZHANG presented appointment certificates to the newly appointed mentors and their representatives.

Weimin ZHANG presented appointment certificates to the Class Representatives of the Class of 2026, who will help strengthen connections between ICCI and its alumni community.

Graduate representative Xue YAN reflected on her experience at ICCI, noting that the school’s international outlook, interdisciplinary curriculum, and industry-oriented training broadened her perspective and helped her transition from a recorder of stories to a problem-solver and project planner.

The exchange of graduation gifts is a long-standing tradition at ICCI’s commencement ceremony. On behalf of the school, Ting HAN, Party Secretary of ICCI, presented graduates with an AI-generated graduation song titled “Witnessing You.”The melody and visuals recalled memorable moments from the students’ time on campus. The graduates responded with a carefully prepared compilation of songs, preserving their shared memories and gratitude.

Ting HAN, Party Secretary of ICCI, also delivered a message to the graduates. He encouraged them to embrace the transition from students to alumni with independence and responsibility, continue transforming knowledge into practice, and carry forward the spirit of seeking truth and pioneering innovation as they shape their own paths in the future.

Student Yitong XU performed a classical dance titled “Orchid in the Empty Valley,” blending traditional aesthetics with expressive choreography.

Students Ziyi WANG, Yiluoen XIAO, Yutong LIU, Jiarong GUO, and Chenxi QU performed the street dance “nonono,”bringing vibrant energy to the celebration.

Students Xinyi WANG and Jianuo WENG performed the song “Xiaowang Song,” whose lively melody reflected the optimism and openness of youth.

Students Yan CHEN, Zhen ZHAO, Xiyang SU, and Danlin CHEN, together with the entire graduating class, performed the song “The Brightest Star in the Night Sky,” expressing their shared aspirations and heartfelt wishes for one another.

Before the ceremony, faculty members and students also visited exhibitions at Shanghai Museum East, including collections of bronzes, paintings, and ceramics. They experienced the traditional collotype printing technique for reproducing artworks, gaining deeper insight into the dialogue between cultural heritage and contemporary creativity.

Highlights from the Graduation Ceremony