On September 3rd, the 2022 opening ceremony for freshmen kicked off at the East Auditorium of the University of Science and Technology of China (USTC). University leaders, deans from all the schools, and all 2022 freshmen witnessed the ceremony together. FU Yao, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of USTC, presided over the ceremony.

At 9 a.m., the opening ceremony officially started. The blue school flag slowly swept past the graduates’ squad to the school anthem Eternal East Wind, while the graduates stretched out their hands to touch it. Thunderous applause was ringing now and then. Afterwards, the whole audience stood up and sang the national anthem of People’s Republic of China.

The blue school flag sweeping past freshmen. (Photo from USTC)

In the warm applause, BAO Xinhe, President of USTC, delivered a keynote speech, sending his heartfelt welcome to the freshmen.

Bao pointed out that the hope of the country and the future of the nation lie in the youth. This year coincides with the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Youth League of China. Over the past hundred years, generations of young people have strived to pursue their dreams and build our country. USTC is a prestigious university founded for the cause of “Two Bombs and One Star”. He hoped that USTCers would “read good books in USTC”, especially the “three books” of homeland, science and devotion.

“You have to inherit the patriotic spirit of USTC and hone your professional skills to serve our country,” said he. Being patriotic and professional is always in line with USTC’s original mission of serving the country through science and education and   pursuing excellence. After entering the campus, all the freshmen visited the school history museum, watched a series of microfilms of the old generation of scientists such as YAN Jizi, GUO Yonghuai, QIAN Xuesen, QIAN Linzhao, and received Application for Party Membership of 100 Famous Scientists. It is hoped that they could inherit the spirit of the old generation of scientists who overcome difficulties and are determined to serve our country, and integrate the love for our country into the great cause of national construction and reform and development.

BAO Xinhe, President of USTC, giving a speech. (Photo from USTC)

“You have to integrate theory with practice to do good scientist,” said he. The integration of theory with practice represents USTC’s continuous pursuit of science and technology. USTC’s 732 alumnus, academician Rao Zihe and his team, took the lead in discovering key drug targets for Covid-19 after 17 years of unremitting efforts, helping the development of Covid-19 drugs. President Bao hoped that USTCers would follow the example of Rao, make full use of the rich resources provided by USTC, and combine their own strengths with disciplinary characteristics to achieve something in their field.

“You have to pursue excellence and be devoted to your own study,” he said, “‘be innovative, dare to surpass, and strive for first-class’ is General Secretary XI Jinping’s sage advice to USTC and great expectations for USTCers. The growth of individuals, the development of USTC and the prosperity of China cannot be achieved without the faith and action of each one of you in the pursuit of excellence. HU Weiwu, an 8611 alumnus of USTC and chairman of Loongson Technology, led his team to develop China’s own ‘Godson-1’ CPU. I hope you will carry forward the spirit of ‘willing ox’, and try to find your own way to success.”

“USTCers, you are the best children in your parents’ eyes, and you are the best students in our eyes. Here in USTC you will become the best version of yourself.” Bao finally said with deep emotion, “I hope that you can bear in mind the ardent wishes of General Secretary Xi, shoulder the responsibility of your times, and study and work hard to serve our great nation.”

On behalf of the alumni, Prof. RAO Zihe of Tsinghua University firstly introduced Mr. BEI Shizhang, the founder of Chinese biophysics, to students. Mr. Bei, during the long turmoil years, kept engaged in scientific research “without moving like a mountain”; he changed his research direction in the interest of the country and founded the Institute of Biophysics, Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Department of Biophysics, USTC in 1958. From then on, biophysics has become an independent life science interdisciplinary in China, and China has become one of the first few countries in the world to have a biophysics research program, thus nurturing the first group of biophysics talents in China.

RAO said, “the opening ceremony is often a rite of passage, meaning from now on everyone needs to consider how to spend their lives as an adult. As a senior, I look forward to seeing each of you at the best age, at the best university, with the best attitude, doing the best things. I hope that you will have a broader vision and remember that no matter what, we, USTCers, should never give up easily.”

On behalf of faculty, Prof. QIN Liping from the School of Earth and Space Sciences, shared her insights with students—having the ability to endure hardships, finding the field that fits and interests you and thinking independently and not going with the flow. Qin pointed out that the world is in the midst of major changes unprecedented in a century, and the solution of many difficult problems requires basic scientific research and multidisciplinary collaboration. She hopes that USTCers will work hard and take up the mission of rejuvenating our great nation.

On behalf of non-freshman students, LIU Yuchao from the School of Chemistry and Materials Science shared his four-year study experiences in USTC—if you want to go fast, walk alone; and if you want to go far, walk together. He hoped that the new USTCers would follow the footsteps of the previous generations of USTCers.

On behalf of freshmen, GAO Ge, an undergraduate of the School of Mathematical Sciences, said that in her mind, USTC is the most beautiful university developed with the sweat of countless scientists for decades. She hoped USTCers can explore the unknown with the curiosity of a child, envision the future with the enthusiasm of a teenager, face challenges with the tenacity of a youth, analyze problems with the rationality of a middle-age man, and make decisions with the composure of an old man.

The opening ceremony successfully ended along with the melody of the school anthem Eternal East Wind.

After the opening ceremony, BAO Xinhe gave first lecture on “Science and Society” for the 2022 undergraduates with the title of “To Serve the Country Through Science and Education—Be the Pillar of Rejuvenation and the Pioneer of a Strong Nation”.

(Written by DUAN Qingrong, edited by ZHANG Wenjing, USTC News Center)