Pursue Dreams on a New Journey, Set Sail for a New Chapter — Jinan Campus Holds the Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Freshmen

Time：2026-09-08View：

On September 6, the Opening Ceremony for the 2026 Freshmen of the Jinan Campus was held in the multi‑function hall on the second floor of the Arts and Sports Building. Wang Junsong, Secretary of the University Party Committee; Guo Yiling, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee; Shen Yusan, Director of the Party Committee Office (University Office); Liang Saijiang, Party Secretary of Jinan Campus; Liu Guodong, Director of Jinan Campus; heads of schools, departments and divisions of the campus, together with alumni and faculty representatives attended the ceremony and took seats on the rostrum. The ceremony was presided over by Zhuge Fumin, Member of the Standing Committee of the University Party Committee and Vice President of the University. Heads of campus departments, freshman counsellors and the 2026 intake were present.

The opening ceremony officially commenced with the majestic national anthem. During the ceremony, Wang Junsong presented school badges to student representatives. A school badge carries honour and embodies the mission and responsibility entrusted to young people in the new era. All new students took a solemn oath facing the national flag. Their resounding pledge echoed through the venue, fully demonstrating the high‑spirited outlook and youthful commitment of the 2026 intake to forge ahead and live up to the times and their youth.

Wang Junsong delivered a speech entitled Youth in Bloom, Set Out Anew, offering all 2026 freshmen a vivid and profound “first lesson” of university life. On behalf of the university, he extended a warm welcome and sincere congratulations to every new student. He noted that 2026 carries special significance and an extraordinary mission: it marks the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army’s Long March, the kick‑off year of the national 15th Five‑Year Plan, and also the 75th anniversary of our university. Over the past seventy‑five years, the university has passed down its academic heritage unceasingly. Upholding the founding mission of the motto Seek Truth and Pursue Innovation, it has devoted itself to nurturing talents and shouldering its educational mission, yielding fruitful outcomes. Many core educational indicators rank among the top universities under Shandong Province. The university is forging steadily ahead toward its goal of building a high‑level application‑oriented research university.

Standing at a new starting point and looking ahead to the new journey, Wang Junsong put forward four earnest expectations and guidance for all new students. First, set lofty aspirations and foster a deep devotion to the country. He encouraged students to aim high, keep the bigger picture in mind, integrate personal aspirations into the development of the Party and the country, take root at SDUST, pursue dreams and scale new heights. Second, stay on the path of progress and remain committed to striving. He urged students to take diligence as the foundation, actively engage in the frontiers of scientific and technological innovation, and temper themselves through social practice, growing stronger and maturing amid challenges. Third, pursue practical knowledge and build solid capabilities. Adopt a rigorous, truth‑seeking academic attitude, master professional expertise, dare to innovate and make breakthroughs, and surpass themselves through lifelong learning. Fourth, cultivate moral integrity and noble character. Uphold virtue and kindness, nurture fine moral qualities day by day, and lay a solid spiritual foundation for life.

Academician Liu Quansheng, Chair of the University Academic Committee, addressed the new students with heartfelt messages. He encouraged all freshmen to build lofty ideals and strengthen their patriotism, brave difficulties on the academic journey, immerse themselves in professional research, closely link personal growth with national development and national rejuvenation, sharpen capabilities while overcoming hardships, realize personal value, and serve the motherland with professional expertise.

Representatives from multiple partner universities delivered remarks online. David Green, Vice‑Chancellor of the University of Worcester; Vito Pugliafito, representative of the Rector of Politecnico di Bari; and Jason McGovern, Deputy Vice‑Chancellor of Swinburne University of Technology, spoke in succession, extending sincere congratulations to the 2026 intake of our university. Representatives of overseas partner universities elaborated on their institutional features and strengths in international education. They hoped students would cherish the high‑quality platform of Sino‑foreign cooperative education, broaden their global vision, improve cross‑cultural communication competence, absorb knowledge from both China and abroad, integrate diverse thinking, and grow into high‑calibre, international, interdisciplinary innovative talents.

An Bochao, outstanding alumni representative, shared his insights drawn from more than twenty years of professional experience and life journey. He interpreted the contemporary meaning and practical value of the university motto Seek Truth and Pursue Innovation. He advised junior students to stay true to their patriotic aspiration, shoulder the mission of the times, devote themselves to academic study and accumulation, and be SDUSTers with warmth, conscience, courage and wisdom.

Yu Ping, faculty representative, spoke drawing on her 27 years of teaching experience. Viewed against the trend of the times and national development, she encouraged young students to keep matters of national significance firmly in mind and consciously undertake the historic mission of national rejuvenation. She hoped students would turn curiosity into a habit, treat trial and error as gains, and take rooting down as their goal, steadily building real expertise. Meanwhile, she stated that all faculty members of the campus would stay committed to educating students, accompany and support every student wholeheartedly in their growth, serving as the firmest and most reliable backing on their academic path.

Jiang Pengfei, representative of current students from Class 3, Communication Engineering, Intake 2023, shared her growth experience in academic research, student affairs and social practice. She encouraged new students to nurture three strengths: intellectual, physical and mental strength, carry forward the spirit of Seek Truth and Pursue Innovation, pursue dreams and achieve growth on the fertile ground of SDUST.

Liu Ziyue from the 2026 intake spoke on behalf of all freshmen. She expressed sincere gratitude to her parents for their care and to teachers for their guidance, and shared her understanding and plans for university life around the motto. She said that “Seeking Truth” underpins academic pursuit and personal conduct, while “Pursuing Innovation” fuels the drive to chase dreams for the future. All new students will abide by the motto, persevere in practice, study diligently and think critically, hone their skills, foster patriotism and broaden international vision. They will strive to grow into interdisciplinary talents suited to the needs of the times, and write a brilliant chapter of youth worthy of this era.

The successful holding of the opening ceremony helped the 2026 intake get off to a sound start in their university life, clarifying their growth direction and rallying motivation for progress. Standing at this brand‑new starting point in life, all freshmen will inherit the fine academic tradition and spiritual heritage of the university. With high spirits, they will forge ahead steadily, pursue dreams and make continuous progress on the international education platform of Jinan Campus, composing youthful chapters for SDUST youth of the new era.

Wang Junsong and his entourage also conducted an on‑site inspection of the upgrading project for infrastructure supporting international education on the campus, checking supporting educational facilities in detail. He fully recognised the achievements of Jinan Campus in developing international education. He urged the campus to further develop its featured international talent training, continuously optimise the education system, elevate teaching quality, unite efforts and forge ahead, contributing greater strength to the university’s endeavour to build itself into a top‑tier university.