SEU Holds the Opening Ceremony for the Class of 2024！

Before the ceremony officially began, a promotional video titled “From Now On, We Are All SEUers——Registration Promotional Film of the Class of 2024” was broadcast. The university’s student art troupe performed a series of brilliant programs. Cai Zhi, Principal of Guangdong Experimental High School and a representative of partnering middle schools engaged in strategic cooperation for nurturing future leaders  accepted an on-site interview. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, and the entire audience sang “Ode to the Motherland” together to wish the great motherland prosperity.

The “ Academic Gate” initiated by SEU opened for the first time. Deans ( department heads) of all colleges and departments made a collective appearance through the Gate. Academicians such as Wang Jianguo of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Duan Jin of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Liu Jiaping of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Xiong Ren’gen of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as Fan Heping, a senior professor in Humanities and Social Sciences, walked through the “Academic Gate” to deliver messages, congratulating the Class of 2024 who have become SEUers and expressing their earnest expectations.

Wang Jianguo said, “Welcome to Southeast University, a campus that embraces youth, growth, poetry and the distance. The new journey of Chinese modernization has begun, and we need the new vitality and innovative energy of you, the young generation, who are like the “sun at eight or nine o’clock in the morning.”

Duan Jin, in his speech, expressed his hope that students could inspire and nurture a passion for their fields of study and an interest in scientific research. He encouraged them to let this passion and curiosity accompany them throughout their lives, to keep striving, and to make significant contributions to the nation and the people in the future.

Liu Jiaping, in his speech, expressed his hope that students should personally experience the essence and charm of “Studying at SEU”. He encouraged them to think and behave well, learn methods, and be capable of getting things done. He urged them to be bold in exploration and diligent in practice, paving the way for a brilliant life of their own.

Xiong Ren’gen, in his speech, expressed his hope that students should focus on accumulating energy, knowledge, friendships with classmates, and family bonds. He encouraged them to set their ambitions early, aim high, and find joy in both learning and life.

Fan Heping said that the greatness of a university should lie in its capacity to nurture grand passion, lofty aspirations, and the creation of great achievements, making it a cradle for “great” students. He also expressed his hope that students, in this best of times, should demonstrate the lofty spirit of SEUers, saying, “Today, we are studying at SEU; tomorrow, we will create a world in return that all SEUers will feel proud of, all Chinese people are yearning for, and all humanity will enjoy!”

Amid the resounding chorus of the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China, the opening ceremony officially commenced.

President Huang Ru delivered a speech——“Strengthen the Will to Serve the Nation and Sharpen the Wisdom to Excel”. She first extended her heartfelt congratulations and a warm welcome to the Class of 2024 on behalf of SEU. She said that from today on, “SEU” will become your shared spiritual home, and being a “SEUer” will become your collective identity from today.

Huang pointed out that in SEU’s 122-year history since its founding, SEUers of generations have upheld the sincere aspiration of “advancing science for global recognition and serving the nation with talent”, creating a grand chapter of “constantly striving for perfection and leading the world”. As the university has been embarking on a new journey, it has always committed to General Secretary Xi Jinping’s earnest guidance, dedicated to “developing the university with academic excellence and serving the nation with academic achievements”. SEU has always been striving to become a “four-have” university with “mission, passion, vision, and quality”, adhering to the educational philosophy that “teaching is paramount and students come first” to provide a broad platform for each student to showcase their talents.

Huang emphasized that the essence of the university should lie in learning and the talent should be cultivated through learning. She shared three expectations for all the freshmen centering around the theme of “learning”.

First of all, pursue mission-oriented learning with a strong will. At SEU, the most profound and long-lasting motivation for learning and academic exploration should echo the nation’s expectations and the call of the times. The students should strengthen their ambition to serve the country and pursue learning with a sense of mission, aligning what they learn today with the needs of the future, to continuously improve their “Ambition Quotient”. To this end, the students should set grand goals, avoid being mired in minor setbacks or trivial matters, remain steadfast and unwavering; keep their original aspirations intact and unswayed by distractions or impatience and always remain calm in the face of praise or criticism, to achieve a higher level of life through the pursuit of serving the nation and the people.

Second, ignite new-quality learning with acute thinking. Today, the times are changing and the universities are evolving, the same to the ways how knowledge is transmitted and acquired, as well as the modes of teaching and learning, which are both undergoing significant transformations. “New-quality” learning has already arrived. The students should continuously hone their “Innovation Quotient” required for new-quality learning by developing critical thinking, learning abilities, and creativity. The students should find out how and why, on this basis to imagine the probability, explore the unknown, and create new necessities. In this way, the students can enhance their competitiveness in new fields, gradually developing themselves into the kind of new-quality talent that will lead the future.

Third, pursue excellent learning with steadfast perseverance. At SEU, the students will embark on an “academic journey” that will be highly challenging, full of obstacles, and a mix of hardship and joy. With perseverance, it is of great necessity to cultivate excellent learning and develop prerequisite abilities for excellence. Whenever confronted with adversities on the path of growth, the students should constantly strengthen their “Adversity Quotient”, staying determined and resilient. Never give up and turn setbacks into stepping stones for upward growth. SEU advocates the “Three-Healthy Program”, encouraging students to develop a healthy personality, a healthy body and a healthy mind, laying a solid foundation for lifelong career.

Huang concluded, “Wherever I am, I will represent SEU; wherever I go, I will not waste my youth.” She expressed her hope that students would, at SEU, learn to grow, learn to excel, and learn to serve the nation, thus becoming a better self, that is, the glory of SEU and the pride of the nation!

Eight studentrepresentatives, including Yu Dian, Ding Yi, Wang Yuxi, Kong Yuqi, Wang Xuxingchen, Ma Ke, Tang Huajie, and Hong Bangyao spoke on behalf of their peers. They, on behalf of the freshmen, shared their initial motivations for choosing SEU and their future directions after joining the university. they also expressed on behalf of the current students their commitment to continuing their studies, enhancing their skills, and improving their abilities. Together, they affirmed their dedication to advancing with the guiding spirit of the university’s motto, “Strive for Perfection”. In addition, they pledged to constantly strive for excellence and remain resolute in their mission to “serve the nation through academic achievements and answer the call of the times.”

Olympic champion and graduate student of the Class of 2022, Zhang Yufei, also attended the ceremony. She stated, “Sports prosper when the nation thrives; sports are strong when the nation is powerful.” As an Olympic athlete, the spirit of SEU’s motto, “Strive for Perfection”, inspires me to be “faster, higher, stronger, and more united”. I think the most romantic thing in life is: when the motherland calls, we are young! We are determined to compose SEU’s chapter of ‘strengthening the nation, realizing the dreams, and achieving new successes’ together.”

Subsequently, representatives of the Class of 2024 presented flowers to their parents and the principals of partnering middle schools engaged in the strategic collaboration for cultivating future leaders, expressing their deep gratitude and appreciation.

Liu Ling, the faculty representative and Chief Professor of SEU’s School of Medicine, spoke on behalf of the faculty. She said, “You have arrived at the historically profound and outstanding Southeast University during the most beautiful years of your youth, embarking on a new journey in life.” She encouraged the students to “set lofty ideals, think critically, and act courageously.” Through hard work, she hoped they would gradually become “ambitious, diligent, highly capable, respectful, grateful, and warm-hearted leaders of the new era”, contributing to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Meng Jianmin, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and an alumnus, shared his experience of studying and living at SEU. He urged students to “cherish their precious time, study diligently, and be bold in exploration, continuously enhancing their qualities in an all-round manner.” He emphasized the significance of “gratitude—being thankful for the nurturing of parents, the teachings of teachers, and the companionship of classmates.” He also encouraged them to “bear in mind the nation and take the rejuvenation of the nation as their mission.” He advised them to follow the example of their predecessors and let their patriotism guide their life journey, seamlessly integrating their dreams with their mission, and personal aspirations with the country’s demands, allowing their dreams to shine on the path to national strength.

The Class of 2024 wore the SEU badge and made a collective oath.

Finally, the ceremony ended with the entire audience singing the “SEU School Song ”.

It is reported that the opening ceremony was also streamed online, with nearly 400,000 viewers watching the event online.