When growing upin his hometown of Hangzhou, China, Jack Ma’s academic career was so undistinguished he failed twice to pass his college entrance exams. “My parents said you would never have a chance to get a bachelor’s degree,” Ma recalled.

Mom and dad got it a little wrong. The former English teacher/world-famous Internet entrepreneur today was awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration by the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, recognition of his achievements as the founder and Executive Chairman of Alibaba Group, China’s largest e-commerce company.

Ma also was chosen to give the commencement speech at today’s ceremony for HKUST’s 2013 graduating class. What life lessons did he impart? Ma offered three qualities that helped him succeed:

No. 1, said Ma, is persistence. “Always persistent to be yourself. Always persistent to your dreams. And never ever say, (I) give up. Never ever say no.”

Watch Jack Ma’s Commencement Speech

 

No. 2, he continued, is an upbeat outlook. “Always be optimistic. Always be happy and always to know tomorrow is better. Most young people today complain that ‘we don’t have opportunities. Jack Ma, Pony Ma, all the people take all the opportunities.’

“We complained too. In my time I complained (about) Bill Gates. Microsoft didn’t (leave) a chance for me. When other people complain, that is your opportunity.”

No. 3, Ma said, is that you need to expect a fast-changing world and change with it. “The value in our company ‚Ķ which is very, very unique ‚Ķ is ’embrace change.’ We change every minute, every time. When you change, it is painful. (But) when you don’t change, it is very bitter.”

Parting shots? “My philosophy for the past 14 years,” Ma said, has been: “Today is tough. Tomorrow is much tougher. But the day after tomorrow is beautiful. And most people die tomorrow evening.

” You will never be able to see the sun shine on the day after tomorrow—unless you work really hard.”