The School of Life Science and Technology (SLST) at ShanghaiTech University held its grand 2025 commencement ceremony in the campus auditorium on the afternoon of June 28, 2025. Attendees included Wang Xiaofan (Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences), SLST Dean Luo Zhenge, Vice Deans Li Qiuning and Hu Ji, Assistant Dean Shen Wei, Assistant Director Bai Fang of SIAIS, Assistant Director Shui Wenjing of iHuman, and faculty representatives.
This year, SLST awarded degrees to 96 undergraduates, 111 master’s students, and 141 doctoral students. Benefiting from the school’s international and innovative training model, graduates earned strong recognition for further studies and employment: 80% of undergraduateswill pursue advanced degrees, while employment rates for master’s and doctoral graduates reached 71% and 77%, respectively.
Dean Luo Zhenge expressed both pride and concern: "You’re entering a most disruptive AI era—one that may surge faster than expected." He encouraged graduates to leverage ShanghaiTech-honed critical thinking to "identify AI’s blind spots and connect with the authentic world beyond algorithms. AI is powerful but cannot replace human wisdom, emotion, or the spark in your eyes."
Assistant Dean Shen Wei shared his belief that"time is power". Over 11 years at ShanghaiTech, he mentored iGEM competition teams to repeated success and achieved breakthroughs in neuro-metabolic research. "Every student’s growth and every research milestone is time’s reward. "
Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Wang Xiaofan discussed crafting a fulfilling life amid anxiety, drawing from his self-taught journey to Wuhan University during turbulent times: "Even in uncontrollable environments, personal action can shape destiny."
Following the graduate pledge, the graduates were awarded diplomas. Graduates received two commemorative gifts:A ceramic plate and a personalized bronze seal. Some alumni earning advanced degrees received limited-edition seals.
