On the morning of September 14, 2026, Anhui University of Technology (AHUT) held opening ceremonies for new students successively at Xiushan Campus and Jiashan Campus. University Party and administrative leaders Lu Lin, Zeng Jie, Wang Jun, Zheng Xiao, Wu Chunlei, Min Fanfei, and Zheng Liping attended the events. Also present were alumnus representative Professor Qiu Jieshan of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, a 1984 graduate who majored in Coal Coking Chemistry at AHUT, a recipient of the National Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars, and a specially appointed professor under the National Major Talent Program; and Professor Long Hongming, a specially appointed professor under the National Major Talent Program and a National Teaching Master under the National High-Level Talents Special Support Plan. Also in attendance were members of the Standing Committee of the University Party Committee; heads of relevant administrative offices; Party Committee secretaries, deans, deputy Party Committee secretaries, and new student counselors from all schools; faculty representatives; current student representatives; and all new students of the 2026 cohort.More than 8,600 people attended the ceremonies.The ceremonies were presided over by Wang Jun, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee.
The ceremonies began with the solemn and stirring national anthem. Zeng Jie,Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee and Presidentof AHUT, extended a warm welcome to all the new students and expressed gratitude to their parents and teachersfor their continued companionship and support throughout the students’ growth.Reflecting on the University’s longstanding mission of“Serving the Nation Through Steel, Strengthening the Nation Through Industry,”Zeng encouraged all new students to cultivate four qualities: boldness, steadfastness, resilience, and stamina, so as to shoulder the responsibilities of their generation. First, he called on students to cultivate boldness and shoulder the responsibilities of the times.They should integrate their individual aspirations into the greater needs of the country and society, set lofty goals, devote themselves to hard work, and strive to become young people of the new era who have ideals and the courage to take responsibility. Second, he encouraged the new students to maintain stead fastness and engage in deep thinking. They should make good use of intelligent technologies without becoming dependent on them, strengthen their academic foundation through classroom learning, enhance their abilities through independent thinking, and find their ownpaths of growth.Third, he urgedthe newstudents to developresilienceand cultivate a tenacious character. They should take a rational view of the diverse evaluations and ups and downs of university life, face setbacks without fear, calm themselves, accumulate inner strength, and continuously surpass themselves through reflectionand tempering. Finally, he encouraged the newstudents to build up their physicalstaminaand reserve momentum for striving. They should maintain regular routines, develop an exercise habit, and strengthen both their will power and physical fitness, so as to support their journey of pursuing dreams with a strong body and mind. Zeng encouraged the new students to uphold the University motto of “For Expertise and Excellence, With Integrity and Diligence,”make the most of their youth, rise to the demands of their time, take every step of their university journey with dedication and determination, and write a new chapter of“We are ready to build a powerful China”through their youthful endeavors.
Yao Yonglin, a faculty representative and professor at the School of Metallurgical Engineering, an Anhui ProvincialOutstanding Teacher, an Anhui Provincial Young Teaching Master, and a First-Prize winner of the 3rd National College Teachers’ Teaching Innovation Competition, shared his insights on personal growth at university through five key words: meaning, self-discipline, qualities, setbacks, and responsibility. He encouraged the students to cherish their time to seek meaning, develop self-discipline, cultivate good qualities, face setbacks with courage, and embrace their responsibilities, so that they may grow into the best versions of themselves—passionate, open-hearted, and radiant.
Qiu Jieshan, an outstanding AHUT alumnus, fondly recalled the memorable years he spent studying and living at the university more than four decades ago. He expressed his gratitude for the university’s dedicated cultivation and care, as well as for the earnest guidance of his teachers. He was delighted and proud to see the university’s remarkable achievements and development today. He hoped that his younger fellow students would study diligently and practice earnestly, enhancetheir abilities, broaden their horizons, live up to their youth, make excellence a habit, and open a new realm of life with dreams, light, and a path forward.
Current student representatives and new student representatives also delivered speeches at the opening ceremonies held on the two campuses.The current student representatives were graduate student Mao Jiawen from the Academy of Art and Design and undergraduate student Chen Xinhao from the School of Electrical and Information Engineering. The new student representatives were graduate student Hou Jingjing from the School of Mechanical Engineering, graduate student Hu Xiaodong from the School of Public Management & Law, undergraduate student Zhang Xiyu from the School of Materials Science and Engineering, and undergraduate student Liu Sichen from the School of Computer Science and Technology.
Lu Lin, Secretary of the University Party Committee, together with other university leaders in attendance, pinned university badges on the new student representatives. With their university badges pinned to their chests, all the new students solemnly recited the admission oath.
Wang Jun, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee, encouraged the students to turn the encouraging words of their teachers and mentorsinto motivation for moving forward, and the experiences shared by their fellow students into a commitment to grow together. He encouraged them to pursue knowledge diligently in the classroom, strive for excellence in the laboratory, strengthen their character through practice, and realize their value through contribution. He called on them to respond to the demands of the times through down-to-earth actions and embark with confidence and determination on their own journeys toward new horizons.
With the university anthem resounding, a new journey began.The new students of the 2026 cohort will embark on their university journey at AHUT, growing throughtrials and refinementin to a new generationfor our times, with light in their eyes, responsibility on their shoulders, dreams in their hearts, and a clear path ahead. United with the University and working hand in hand toward a shared future, they will embrace their responsibilities in the great journey of building a strong country and advancing national rejuvenation, and write a wonderful chapter belonging to the new generation of AHUTers.
(Translator: Sheng Laping; Reviewer: Cao Ruilan)
