A welcoming ceremony was held at Qiushi Hall on Peiyang Park Campus.

A welcoming ceremony was simultaneously held at the Gymnasium on Weijin Road Campus.

University leaders attending the ceremony at Peiyang Park Campus

University leaders attending the ceremony at Weijin Road Campus

On August 25, Tianjin University 2017 Welcoming Ceremonies for Graduate Newcomers were held simultaneously at the Gymnasium on Weijin Road Campus and Qiushi Hall on Peiyang Park Campus. There are in total 947 doctoral candidates and 5,863 master’s degree candidates entering Tianjin University this year. Over 4,000 people attended the ceremony, including leaders of the University and the schools, student representatives, 2017 graduate newcomers and their relatives. The ceremony was hosted by Vice President Wang Shuxin.

President Zhong Denghua spoke at the ceremony.

To rapturous applause, President Zhong Denghua made a speech, Uphold the Banner of Innovation. Firstly, on behalf of the university, he extended heartfelt congratulations and a warm welcome to the 6,810 graduate newcomers. He stated, “Being a postgraduate, you are not merely a recipient of knowledge any more, you ought to be a creator of knowledge. During the process of finding problems, analyzing problems and tackling problems, only when you maintain an innovative mindset, can you better explore new issues, create new methods and unearth new knowledge.” He hoped newcomers would have the courage and capacity to be innovative in their future study.

Speaking of how to be innovative, President Zhong offered three expectations for newcomers in his speech. He hoped students could be innovative in the “technology revolution”. He mentioned that from the age of steam to the age of electricity, and then to the age of information technology, each industrial revolution was driven by innovation, making great progress for human civilization. In the 21st Century, humankind entered the age of artificial intelligence, where intelligent technology is now widespread. He said, “Most of you are going to carry out research in the field of intelligent systems and machines at the graduate level. I hope you could be positive and proactive within this surge of innovation. May you embrace a bright future!”

He hoped students would be innovative through the process of “integration”. He stated that to achieve integration, students need to break through the limitations of majors and the barriers of disciplines. Integration means to accept each other and learn widely from others’ strengths; the breakthrough point of scientific research often lies in the crossing of disciplines. He said, from the construction of twelve interdisciplinary cross-platforms to the establishment of the interdisciplinary cross-platform of ecological environment and then to the establishment of Sino-French International Engineering Institute, “Tianjin University has provided you with the solid foundation for integration and innovation as well as academic exchange.” “I hope you can discover creative inspiration in communication and cooperation and create excellent fruits in the process of integration by keeping an open mind.”

He hoped students be innovative in "perseverance". He also mentioned, “Innovation requires changes, breakthroughs and transcendences, but it does not mean inconstant devotion. It needs a kind of power immersed in the heart, which can be called unswerving persistence.” He also hoped students can learn to persist in their ideals and endure loneliness, establish lofty academic ideals and focus on the national problems demanding prompt solutions, and to have the determination like wearing a sword for a decade, patiently waiting for the changes from quantity to quality. He encouraged new students to insist on ideals on their way to future scientific research, endlessly improve their comprehensive abilities, and endeavor to become all-round national talents.

Yang Dayong spoke on behalf of the faculty.

Professor Yang Dayong, from the School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, doctoral supervisor and member of the Recruitment Program of Global Young Experts, spoke on behalf of the faculty. He shared with students the foremost belief he has perceived during his fifteen-years of scientific research. That is, to do lofty research with happiness. As to how to realize “happiness”, he cited in four factors: happiness comes from the enthusiasm for scientific research, which requires curiosity about the unknown world; happiness comes from communication, which means you should learn to communicate smoothly with advisors, classmates and peers;  happiness comes from tolerance, which requires you to appreciate others’ strengths; happiness comes from gratitude, including the gratitude for time, for your own diligence, for teachers and for those offering company and guidance. In his opinion, lofty research should be precise, innovative and thoughtful, thus producing the feeling of beauty. He thought that research should seek truth from facts, observe academic norms and academic ethics, as well as be of innovative significance, not only solving the current problems but also enlightening future study. He believed that if students can develop the mental state of “doing lofty research with happiness” during their postgraduate study, they would certainly do lofty things and become elegant people, working and living happily.

Li Mingzhu delivered a speech as the representative of senior graduate students.

Li Mingzhu, a graduate student from the School of Materials Science and Engineering, made a speech as the representative of senior graduate students. After two-years of study, Li has published 10 articles that are listed in the Science Citation Index. She has also won a national scholarship, the 11th Self-improvement Star of Tianjin University and many other awards. Based on her experience, Li encouraged newcomers to act early and be diligent, suggested that they communicate with tutors and senior students while they can, and be grateful to tutors, friends and family for their support and encouragement.

Fang Zheli delivered a speech on behalf of the newcomers.

Fang Zheli, a graduate student majoring in civil engineering from the School of Architecture, made a speech on behalf of the newcomers. As a National Defense student and Reserve officer, Fang stated, in the following years, he will strive to make breakthroughs, establish confidence, and seek knowledge. He said he will devote his life to the realization of the dream of a powerful nation and military, and be a man of great use to Tianjin University, to the society, and to the nation.

The opening ceremony ended with the melodious university anthem sung by the faculty and students. The singing signifies their longing for knowledge which can be summed up in the line: “Extending my vision to a thousand li further, I am ascending one more story of the tower”. Newcomers will not only start their new life in the campus, but also open a new chapter for Tianjin University.

 Editors: Yin Shiyu and Ross Colquhoun