Opening Convocation kicks off academic year

The opening Convocation was held on September 13 at the stadium of Zijingang Campus, greeting the university’s newest group of undergraduate students and marking the official start of their unique intellectual journey at ZJU.

President WU Zhaohui welcomed first-year students.

“2020 is destined to be an unusual year.” WU applauded incoming students for their resilience and persistence amidst uncertainty brought about by the pandemic.

The new round of learning revolution, WU noted, is accelerating as we enter the third decade of the 21st century with the wide application of the disruptive technologies.

“It will profoundly affect teaching and learning in the post-COVID-19 era,” WU added. 

WU urged students to embrace the new revolution by learning independently in the interaction of real and virtual worlds, exposing themselves to the breadth and depth of knowledge, fostering global competency and shouldering social responsibilities.

Against the unprecedented challenges, he said, “forge ahead and make a positive difference in your transformative adventure at ZJU.”

Prof. WEI Lu (middle), Dr. SUN Bei (left), alumna FANG Yinxia (right) addressed the incoming students.

Also speaking were Prof. WEI Lu, Dean of College of Media and International Culture, Dr. SUN Bei, a representative of parents and a medic who joined the fight against the pandemic, alumna FANG Yinxia (earth science, ’92), recipient of the National May 1 Labor Medal and a researcher from the Second Institute of Oceanography affiliated to the State Oceanic Administration. They encouraged students to remain true to ZJU’s mission in the changing world, create new opportunities in the face of crisis and make meaningful contributions to society as engaged citizens and leaders.

Poetry recital at the Convocation

The ceremony also featured the representatives of faculty, new students, upperclassmen and international students, who told ZJU’s stories in its 123 years of history in the form of poetry recital.