US President Barack Obama said Wednesday the United States needs a "fundamental change of perspective and attitude" toward the world and to build a new foundation for its economy, which is under deep recession.

Obama made the remarks while addressing the graduation ceremony of the 2009 class of Arizona State University. The event was boasted by university officials as the largest one of the same kind in US history.

Nearly 70,000 people, including 9,000 graduates and their families, friends and teachers, attended the ceremony at the stadium on the university's campus in a Phoenix suburb.

Congratulating on the graduation of these students, Obama encouraged them to follow their passion for academic studies and question conventional wisdom in the face of a grim job market because of the economic recession.

"I know starting your careers in troubled times is a challenge...so don't ever stop adding to your body of work," he said.

He said the United States could also benefit from the same sort of self-reflection that he advised the graduates to consider.

"We've become accustomed to the title of military super-power, forgetting the qualities that earned us that title......We've become accustomed to our economic dominance in the world, forgetting that it wasn't reckless deals and get-rich-quick schemes that got us there," he said.

Arizona State University announced at the ceremony the establishment of President Barack Obama Scholarship Program, which helps students from low income families pay for college tuition and other fees and expenses.

Obama thanked the university for naming the program after him, saying that it is also his administration's goal to provide access to higher education for every qualified student in the country.

University officials said they renamed the scholarship for Obama to show their respect to the president instead of awarding him a honorable degree. Commencement speakers typically are awarded honorary degrees as a sign of respect and appreciation.

Obama's appearance here marked his second visit to Arizona as president after he defeated Senator John McCain from the state in last year's presidential election.

(Xinhua News Agency May 14, 2009)