NEW DELHI: Is China considering not recognizing a degree from the University of California San Diego (UCSD)?That's what many of the 3,500 Chinese students there are worried about after Beijing's arch-enemy, the Dalai Lama , delivered the commencement speech at UCSD on Saturday, reported state-run Chinese media."Chinese students reached by the Global Times said they fear that attending the university may affect their future careers if China's Ministry of Education chooses not to recognize the school's degree," said an article in the state-run news outlet.Some Chinese students at UCSD protested the school's decision to invite the Dalai Lama."We want to spend a fantastic time with our family during the commencement, but his presence will ruin our joy," wrote one student in a campus newspaper called The Guardian.UCSD's Chinese Students and Scholars Association said the Dalai Lama has long tried to " divide the motherland and to destroy national unity ," Inside Higher Education reported last month.Still, UCSD stood by its decision.In a statement, it said the Dalai Lama "carries a message that promotes global responsibility and service to humanity," reported another campus publication The Triton.The Dalai Lama last Saturday delivered his address to a packed hall of 6,000 graduates and 15,000 guests, reported the San Diego Union Tribune. The event was reportedly sold out.The spiritual leader told the students they should work toward a peaceful world.“Now, you should think how to use your knowledge...This knowledge should be a source of peace,” he said, the Tribune reported.Six-odd Chinese students walked out of Saturday's ceremony as the Dalai Lama was introduced."In Tibet, he had slaves," said a computer science student from Zhejiang province, who identified himself as "Max", to the Tribune. "Foreigners say China invaded Tibet, but we actually freed them and freed the slaves," he added.In February, Buzzfeed News broke a story that said a Chinese Embassy official in London warned a student debating society against allowing Anastasia Lim, a critic of Beijing, from speaking at Durham University. The official reportedly said he had "serious concerns" about the event and added that it could damage relations between the UK and China.