Welcome the Class of 2023

While Sept 2 marks the first day of class of the fall semester in 2019 at Zhejiang University, the Class of 2023 was officially welcomed to campus on Sunday with a formal ceremony.

The annual convocation at the Zijingang Stadium commemorates the start of the academic journey for new students with an opening ceremony. More than 6,300 freshmen were welcomed into the learning community of ZJU by the university leadership.

President WU Zhaohui told the students that they should be proud of their academic accomplishments thus far, and that they have taken "a leap toward all-round development" by enrolling at the University. However, "much work lies ahead".

"I hope you will be active participants of learning," WU said. “I hope you take today to reflect and consider the importance of this time in your life. And then tomorrow, get to study and focus on the challenges in the era of augmented intelligence.”

WU told students that university study is a “transformative experience”, but they must be open to innovative learning, which is student-centered, life-long and technology-powered.

It is in this same venue, WU told the students, that they will be the great force for future development of China.

“Your enrollment is in the year of the 70th birthday of People’s Republic of China and the centenary of the May 4th Movement. This means that your growth trajectories are in align with the country's second centennial goal. Embrace the opportunity, gain the future. ” WU said.

In his words to the Class of 2023, Prof. LI Tiefeng as a representive of ZJU faculty shared with new students what he learned as a student: “On our path to the commencement, stay positive, never give up and be cooperative.”

During the ceremony, the father of a new student and an alumnus also addressed to new students and delivered best wishes for their college life.