At the 2018 Tianjin University (TJU) postgraduate student commencement on January 16, 2018, TJU Doctoral Graduate Ouyang Qun’an proposed to his classmate Qi Chunfeng. “My darling, will you marry me?” Holding flowers and going down on one knee, Ouyang proposed to his girlfriend with a ring. Nearly 3,000 Graduates on the scene witnessed this romantic moment.

Ouyang Qun’an and Qi Chunfeng are both Doctoral Graduates of the 2018 grade majoring in Water Conservancy Engineering from TJU’s School of Civil Engineering. They are students of the same supervisor. In September 2011, Qi was an undergraduate recommended to Tianjin University from the Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University as an exemption doctoral candidate without the national entrance examination for postgraduates (NEEP). Ouyang, then a TJU undergraduate student also recommended as an exemption doctoral candidate from TJU, was in the same research team with Qi.

“My first impression was that you were a stubborn girl, but I like your stubbornness”, Ouyang recalled after their first encounter at the moment of proposing . In December 2012, the couple, holding hands together on the campus, determined to share their lives with each other. During their five-years’ study on water conservancy engineering, they travelled almost over all the rivers and mountains of China for the advancement of scientific research projects and participated in the construction of many large-scale water conservancy projects at home and abroad. Their names often appeared together in the list of authors of academic publications.

Ouyang expressed his deep love to his girlfriend Qi, “We have spent five years together at Tianjin University. In the future, no matter what we may encounter, twists and turns, we will always support each other; ups and downs, we will always hang on to each other. Now, at this moment, at this solemn moment, I want to take a next step as I has promised you to make a family with you. Let’s continue to hold hands together, and I will redouble my efforts to become the brightest star in your heart.” Qi smilingly accepted the romantic gift from her boyfriend.

"We have also received the sincere wishes from President Zhong Denghua", Ouyang said happily. He had intended to propose to his girlfriend when President Zhong turned the tassel, but considering such a behavior might affect the commencement, he chose to propose after it. However, when this couple took photos with the President, Ouyang told the President of his marriage proposal and received best wishes from the President: "I wish you all the best!"

This couple of engineering doctors couldn’t be happier with the attainment of their doctorates and the successful marriage proposal. But Ouyang also had a small regret that he couldn’t give his girlfriend a surprise because she was so smart that she had “seen through” his “well-planned move”. “Two of us live an unexceptional life, not as magnificent as the hydraulic engineering programs we participate in", Ouyang Qun’an said with a smile.

Their supervisor even wrote a song, Crabapple in Full Blossom for teachers and students on water conservancy engineering, a line in this song expressing their common pursuit: “Let us meet together, chasing the brilliance of the future.”

Editors: Sun Xiaofang and Ross Colquhoun