On the morning of September 18, the Opening Convocation 2016 of SUSTech, chaired by Vice President Tang Tao, was grandly held in the Sport Center Stadium of University Town of Shenzhen. Leaders of SUSTech and its functional units, including Chairwoman Guo Yurong and President Chen Shiyi, attended the Ceremony. All freshmen, international students and graduates, and representatives of faculty, students, alumni and parents of students gathered to share the joy of SUSTech’s development and witness the beginning of the new students’ campus life.

It is the sixth time that SUSTech holds a opening ceremony. This year, SUSTech enrolled more than 1,300 students and employed a group of outstanding professors, making the opening ceremony unprecedentedly grand. The quality of new students is higher than before. Altogether 992 undergraduates were recruited from 22 provinces, municipalities and regions, most of whom rank the top 2% among their peers in their provinces and municipalities. This year is also the first year that SUSTech recruits international students, i.e. 7 Cambodian students. Besides, 227 graduates from the joint-degree programs between SUSTech and famous universities, including the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, National University of Singapore and Harbin Institute of Technology, were also enrolled, marking that there are both undergraduates and graduates in the university for the first time. This year, SUSTech has the largest enrollment since its establishment, with over 3,000 studying at the university.

SUSTech also did a good job in talent introduction. More and more academicians and professors from China and other countries joined SUSTech. The university sped up its disciplinary construction, and gradually established Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Center for Micro/Nano-Scale Science and Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Humanities Center, Center for Social Sciences, and Language Center. There are now 13 departments and schools with 17 majors. In terms of scientific research, six SUSTech teams were chosen as “peacock” teams, accounting for 50% of the total. The six teams received a fund of RMB 190 million from Shenzhen Municipal Government. This year, SUSTech ranks 44th on the Nature Index 2016 China, which is better than last year’s ranking (55th). At the same time, SUSTech ranks 62th on the Nature Index 2016 Rising Stars, with its growth rate ranking 3rd worldwide.

At the beginning of the Opening Ceremony, members of Zhiren Traditional Instruments Band welcomed new students with two songs. Then the students were shown a short video, where academicians and heads of departments and schools sent their messages to new students.

Next, another video was played, which was shot in 13 cities of 8 provinces and municipalities. In the video, 17 representatives of new students showed their lives and expressed their expectations for life in SUSTech. Many students had tears in eyes while watching this video.

As all the participants sang the National Anthem of the People’s Republic of China, the 2016 Opening Ceremony came to an end.

President Chen Shiyi made a speech at the Ceremony. He first congratulated all the new students on their beginning of a new chapter in their lives. According to Chen, the new students are brave, adventurous and visionary to choose to study at SUSTech, an emerging university. They will witness the prosperity of the university and practice the unique educational idea of the university. As a university characterized with knowledge creation, innovation and entrepreneurship, SUSTech will surely broaden students’ vision, enhance their sense of social responsibility, stimulate their desire for learning, and improve their moral characters, academic skills and leadership skills.

Chen Shiyi also shared approaches to learning with the students. Firstly, lay a solid foundation for the future and cultivate interest in learning. Students should pursue lifelong learning, and make learning a habit and the driving force of self development. Secondly, be interest-oriented and find their real selves. Students need to often critically examine themselves, and find their own spiritual pursuits. Thirdly, be innovative and have an entrepreneurial spirit. Students should not be frightened away by failures. They should be resilient, visionary and persistent in pursuing their goals. Fourthly, aim high and be down-to-earth. Students need to know about China and the rest of the world, cultivate their executive force and leadership skills, and finally become the elites of China.

Chen concluded his speech with lines from A Psalm of Life, a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. The lines are as follows:

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,

    Is our destined end or way ;

 But to act, that each to-morrow

    Find us farther than to-day.

Let us, then, be up and doing,

        With a heart for any fate ;

    Still achieving, still pursuing,

        Learn to labor and to wait.

Academician Yu Dapeng gave a speech as the representative of teachers. Yu cited examples from the classics to elaborate the connotation and meaning of university. Yu stressed that learning was the top priority of students. “Only by acquiring solid and extensive knowledge, improving your self-cultivation and enhancing your physique, can you deal with difficulties, resist temptations and shoulder your responsibilities.” Yu hoped SUSTech students could be daring, innovative, pragmatic, enterprising, united, honest and efficient, and wished them a bright future.

Cheng Qijia made a speech as the representative of SUSTech alumni. Cheng is now pursuing his doctor’s degree in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. “My college life in SUSTech is a valuable experience for me.” He encouraged new students to treasure their opportunity to study at SUSTech and strive for a better future for themselves.

Chen Zhiyang, a freshman from Inner Mongolia, gave a speech as the representative of new students. “Although we come from different places, we had the same dream: to be enrolled by SUSTech. And now we have realized this dream.” Chen shared her thoughts on college life and hoped that she together with other students could value their time in SUSTech.

ROM Longsan from Cambodia spoke as the representative of international students. According to him, SUSTech enjoys a beautiful campus, perfect facilities, nice and outstanding teachers, a good living environment, and a good atmosphere for learning. He gave an introduction to 6 other Cambodian students, who love to make inventions and are very curious about science and technology. 

Representative of new graduates Zhang Yue was an undergraduate of SUSTech, and will pursue his master’s degree in the same university. “Four years ago, I felt honored and lucky for being one of the 188 freshmen. And now, as one of the 277 new graduates, I still feel very proud.” He shared his life experience with the audience: treasure time and the resources provided by SUSTech, and lay stress on internal growth.

Chairwoman of University Council Guo Yurong delivered a speech at the ceremony. She welcomed the excellent undergraduates, graduates and international students to study at SUSTech, a beautiful university in South China.

Ten years ago, people in Shenzhen took a long-term perspective and decided to establish a world class research-oriented university, namely SUSTech, with the courage, experience and wealth of China’s reform and opening up. SUSTech is an innovative university that is devoted to cultivating students with independent personality, international vision, innovative spirit and firm conviction. “There is no royal road to learning, especially to scientific research. It may take some sweat and even tears. From today on, you will stand at a new scratch line and strive for a bright future for yourselves.” Guo hoped the students could treasure their time in SUSTech, find their ways forward, and lay a solid foundation for the future with their courage and strength.

“Today, SUSTech benefits from the material and mental achievements of Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. Tomorrow, Shenzhen will be proud for SUSTech due to its achievements.”

The Opening ceremony was reported by over 20 media from China and other countries, and broadcast live online.