1900: A physics genius wandering around Europe

Chapter 150: Doctoral graduation and speech!

January 1903, 1 was the Chinese New Year of 29.

The doctoral degree awarding ceremony for Li Qiwei was held grandly on this day.

He was wearing a Cambridge University doctoral gown and looked energetic and high-spirited, making others envious.

The academic gown he wore was full of the characteristics of this era.

Academic gowns have existed in the West for hundreds of years.

It is generally composed of four parts: graduation cap, tassel, graduation gown and drape.

The academic gowns for bachelor, master and doctoral degrees mainly differ in the colors and shapes of the four parts.

Of course, there will be great differences between different regions and countries.

Taking later China as an example, to simply distinguish them, doctoral uniforms are black and red; master's uniforms are blue and dark blue; and bachelor's uniforms are black and white.

At this time, Li Qiwei, dressed in a doctoral gown, was the center of attention on the stage.

Although he was not the only one who graduated with a doctorate, he was undoubtedly the absolute focus of the whole event.

Like undergraduate graduation, doctoral graduation is also based on college.

Although the Cavendish Laboratory is a laboratory in name, it is also a separate college of the University of Cambridge.

It has its own complete curriculum and degree system.

Therefore, Li Qiwei's doctoral degree awarding ceremony was held in the laboratory's large conference room.

Because of his extremely high profile, even Vice Principal Cardwell came over.

Naturally, Cardwell had to give a speech.

What a school that is good at cultivating talents, school leaders that teach students in accordance with their aptitude, Cambridge University's fine traditions and so on.

Then, he used Li Qiwei as a typical representative to encourage this group of doctors and wished them success in the future.

Next, Thomson, as the laboratory director, equivalent to the dean, gave a speech.

His speech was much more down to earth.

Thomson reviews Cavendish's history, recent developments, and outstanding achievements.

Of course, the most important thing is talent cultivation, especially people like Ridgway, Rutherford, and Wilson.

"It has now been more than thirty years since the great physics teacher, Professor Maxwell, founded the Cavendish Laboratory."

"In the past thirty years, physics has developed at an unimaginable pace."

"I think this is the most exciting thing for anyone in the field of physics."

"The authority of the past is no longer the authority, and a talented challenger emerges."

"One new theory after another emerges, and one new name after another resounds throughout the physics community."

“A lot of people might feel a sense of failure.”

"I think that physics only needs people like Bruce Lee. As ordinary people, what can we do?"

"But I would like to say that this view is pessimistic and wrong."

“The most important quality of a person is love, which can block all unfavorable troubles.”

“No one has stipulated that only smart people can study physics.”

“There is no law of physics that says that ordinary people can’t achieve anything.”

"There are many such examples in the field of natural sciences."

"What a doctor brings to you is not easy honor, nor a trump card that allows you to sit back and relax."

“A PhD represents a new beginning. It means that you are truly curious about the world and are willing to spend your entire life uncovering its mysteries.”

“I hope all students can understand that the most important thing in science is perseverance and keeping your original aspirations.”

"thank you all."

The scene immediately burst into thunderous applause.

Everyone was inspired after listening to Thompson's speech.

He did not deliberately elevate or belittle geniuses like Li Qiwei, but objectively evaluated the facts so that everyone could establish a correct scientific perspective.

From this point of view, it is not without reason that Professor Thomson is popular and loved by his students.

The highlight of the ceremony came at the end, when the doctor spoke on behalf of Bruce Lee.

If we say that there are very few people who can graduate with a doctorate in this era, they are all rare among the best.

Then Li Qiwei is the emperor among dragons, overlooking all doctors.

He always had a faint smile on his face as he looked at everyone in the hall.

Li Qiwei now has the burden of being an idol and needs to control his expression at all times. "I am very honored to be a representative of the graduates and give a doctoral graduation speech."

“There are many people who have helped me during my study at Cambridge University, and there are many people I need to thank.”

“But there are also some people who have caused me a lot of trouble.”

"As an international student from China, I feel this deeply in Cambridge."

"When I first came to Cambridge six years ago, I was unfamiliar with the place and therefore became a bit of a loner."

"And it became an excuse for others to bully and tease me."

"I come from the Qing Dynasty and I am timid and afraid of trouble, so naturally I am not a threat."

“This happens in any country and in any field.”

"Humans are naturally bullies, and some people love to bully those who are weaker than others."

"At that time, I didn't dare to fight back, because we Chinese people value patience."

"We pride ourselves on being a country of etiquette and will not easily come into conflict with others."

"But when you reach a certain point and can no longer tolerate it, even sheep will fight back."

"Strangely enough, when I took the initiative to stand up for my dignity, I gained respect."

“This is a magical thing.”

“Maybe this is the truth of being a human being.”

"At this point, you may be wondering, this is not a doctoral graduation speech, why am I saying this?"

“I think being an academic is just like being a human being.”

“As a newcomer or a recent graduate, if you want to achieve something in physics, you can’t be afraid.”

“Fear of offending professors, fear of overthrowing authority, fear of being different from the crowd.”

"Essentially, it's the same as when I was afraid of those who bullied me."

“Only if you actively defend yourself, believe that your achievements and theories are correct, and are not afraid of authority, can you gain real benefits.”

“The human spirit has many beautiful qualities, but I believe the most important one must be: courage.”

“Without intelligence, it might be impossible to come up with quantum theory.”

“But without the courage, even with the intelligence and talent, one would not dare to propose quantum theory.”

"I think courage is more important than wisdom in this era of radical change in physics."

"I was giving a speech at the University of Copenhagen and a middle school student challenged me."

"I'm not afraid to tell you that I'm very scared because the day before yesterday I had a dream that the other party overturned my theory."

Li Qiwei's words caused everyone to burst into laughter.

Obviously, no one believed that such a young boy had such great abilities.

“It is not terrible to lose wisdom; but if you lose courage, you will lose everything and perish forever.”

Li Qiwei's bowl of chicken soup successfully won him thunderous applause.

Finally, the solemn and serious doctoral degree awarding ceremony ended successfully amid applause.

More than a dozen doctors were smiling and congratulating each other.

In the future, they will become respected doctors in the eyes of others.

At the same time, this also indicates that their student life has come to an end.

In the years to come, they will move forward on their own and carry out independent research projects.

Without any mentors to guide them, they have to rely on themselves to explore the boundaries of nature.

Li Qiwei was filled with emotion and sighing at this moment.

The six years in Cambridge have finally come to fruition.

Although he had only experienced three years personally, the memories of the other three years were also etched in his mind.

When the past comes to mind, it always makes people miss and reminisce.

All the ups and downs of the past have now turned into a cloud of smoke, leaving only a faint trace.

Although this period of time accounted for a small proportion of his life, its impact was enormous.

Even though he has no wealth, no fancy cars or beautiful women, his spirit is extremely rich.

Because that is the arrogance, unrestrainedness, individuality and freedom that are unique to youth.

And next, he will embark on a new journey and write a new legend.

(End of this chapter)