HKUST(GZ) held the opening ceremony for the year 2023
On the morning of September 1st, HKUST(GZ) held the opening ceremony for the year 2023 in the Sports Hall. This is the second opening ceremony witnessed by the university, following the first opening ceremony on September 1st, 2022. This year, HKUST(GZ) has admitted its first batch of undergraduate students. The total number of new comers at the undergraduate, master's, and doctoral levels reaches nearly 1,000. This significant milestone signifies the official commencement of HKUST(GZ)'s new exploration in comprehensive education.
President Professor Lionel M. Ni, Party Secretary Prof. Shaobing QU, Vice-President (Teaching & Learning) Prof. Jingshen WU, Associate Vice-President (Knowledge Transfer) Prof. Hui XIONG, Associate Vice-President (Research) Prof. Kaishun WU, Dean of Function Hub Prof. Weijia WEN, Dean of Systems Hub Prof. Ricky Shi-Wei LEE, Dean of Society Hub Prof. Danyang XIE, Acting Dean of College of Education Sciences Prof. Yang YANG, Director of Office of Administrative Resources Guimei LI, Vice Party Secretary Biru LIANG, along with key leaders from various academic and administrative departments of the university, attended the ceremony. Dr. Bin LI, Special Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of the President, presided over the ceremony.
The opening ceremony was conducted bilingually in Chinese and English, reflecting the internationalized nature of the university.
Innovation and patriotism: the dual genes of HKUST(GZ)
At 9 a.m., the opening ceremony commenced with the resounding national anthem.
President Lionel M. Ni delivered a speech. He extended the warmest welcome to all the new members joining the HKUST(GZ) family. Reflecting on the past, President Lionel M. Ni couldn't contain his excitement. He said establishing a high-level university from scratch in less than 20 months is truly a remarkable achievement. In just one year, the campus has rapidly flourished into a dynamic and innovative place. President Lionel M. Ni expressed his gratitude to all the new students for choosing HKUST(GZ) as the starting point for their academic and personal journeys.
President Lionel M. Ni mentioned that recently he has had the opportunity to communicate with many new students. What impressed him was not only the students' spirit of collaboration and boundless creativity, but also how their qualities perfectly align with the "dual genes" of HKUST(GZ).
The first gene is innovation. HKUST(GZ) breaks traditional disciplinary boundaries and encourages interdisciplinary education. The second gene is patriotism. 32 years ago, a group of patriotic Chinese scholars established The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology in Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong. HKUST(GZ) inherits the "patriotic gene" from HKUST. President Lionel M. Ni emphasized that "contributing to the country through our own efforts is the true essence of patriotism." He reiterated that whether students choose to focus on scientific research or pursue career opportunities and entrepreneurship, the university will by all means help each student unleash their potential and achieve their personal goals, with the hope that all students can make valuable contributions to the nation and society.
"Rome wasn't built in a day." President Lionel M. Ni expressed his aspirations to work hand in hand with all the innovative, patriotic, and accommodating students of HKUST(GZ) to jointly establish a "Chinese-characteristic, world-class" research-intensive university, creating one remarkable achievement after another.
Professor Shaobing QU, Party Secretary of HKUST(GZ), delivered a speech with the theme "Integrity First, Achieve Excellence," expressing his expectations for all the students. Starting with the Chinese character "德" (de), he elucidated the profound meaning behind "德" (de). In the face of many choices, how one looks forward, takes the right path, uses his heart to see and walks the broad path are the true meaning of De(德). "Achieve Excellence" is built upon the core value of "Integrity First", which means achieving personal goals, supporting companions, contributing to the university and ultimately making a positive impact on the country. He encouraged every student at HKUST(GZ) to contemplate their life goal and contribute to the country, the era, and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Professor Liuqing YANG, chair professor of Thrust of Intelligent Transportation and Thrust of Internet of Things, delivered a speech as the faculty representative. Drawing upon her own educational and professional journey, she encouraged tstudents to cultivate three essential qualities.
Firstly, curiosity. She urged the students to treasure their curiosity, embrace diversity, and actively participate in various courses to explore uncharted domains.
Secondly, self-confidence. Professor Yang reassured students that their presence at the university is a testament to their outstanding abilities, as it is highly challenging to enter HKUST(GZ). Meanwhile, she acknowledged that setbacks and failures are inevitable in life. "Please do not lose faith. True self-confidence arises from the resilience gained through overcoming failures."
Lastly, motivation and perseverance. Professor Yang extended her best wishes to the students, hoping that they would not only obtain a degree at HKUST(GZ) but also acquire genuine education. She emphasized that success should encompass not only academic accomplishments but also personal achievements throughout their lives.
Sida ZHANG, representing the undergraduate freshmen, delivered a speech as one of the students who received the first batch of undergraduate admission offers. He believes that HKUST(GZ) is not just a university brimming with warmth and affection, but also an institution carrying the historic mission of advancing the nation through technology. With a profound sense of purpose, he pledged to fearlessly explore cutting-edge scientific domains, confront the most challenging problems, and embark on a journey of an even more splendid chapter in life.
Chenyu HUANG, a student of the Red Bird MPhil program representing the graduate freshmen, delivered a speech. She said HKUST(GZ) welcomes and embraces students from all walks of life and diverse backgrounds like the mighty sea. She is looking forward to the upcoming school life. She will not only promote creativity and the can-do spirit, but also realize the growth from 0 to 1 and extend from 1 to infinity, unlocking the infinite possibilities of life on this young campus.
During the ceremony, new students were bestowed with HKUST(GZ) emblem. President Lionel M. Ni led the university leaders and faculty representatives to adorn the emblem onto 11 undergraduate and graduate student representatives, imparting words of encouragement and motivating students to carry forward the spirit of pioneering, innovation and can-do. They extended their heartfelt wishes to new students, hoping that students can accumulate knowledge, pursue their dreams and enjoy a wonderful university life..
President's First Lesson: Be Your Own Hero, Triumph in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
Subsequently, President Lionel M. Ni delivered his first lesson for the new semester named "FIVE TIPS TO WIN IN THE AGE OF AI."
The emergence of generative AI has undeniably disrupted our daily work practices and will have far-reaching implications for the labor market. In this era of artificial intelligence, what abilities and qualities do talents require? President Lionel M. Ni presented five crucial keywords (A-HERO): AI literacy, High-Order Thinking, Ethics, Resilience, and Organization. President Lionel M. Ni hoped that students would grow into individuals with AI literacy, higher-order thinking and ethical boundaries. President Lionel M. Ni also hoped that students can be resilient and know how to plan.
In the age of artificial intelligence, as education's purpose is reevaluated, how does HKUST(GZ) reshape teaching and learning? The mission of education is shifting from knowledge dissemination to character cultivation, and the role of teachers is transitioning from traditional lecturers to coaches and mentors. Moreover, teaching methodologies are moving from teacher-centered to student-centered. As artificial intelligence disrupts the world with its algorithms, HKUST(GZ) aims to nurture students who can bring about world-changing impact. It is precisely because we are in this transformative era of artificial intelligence that we have the opportunity to redefine heroism—an individual who comprehends artificial intelligence, possesses advanced thinking, exhibits ethical awareness and resilience, and understands the importance of personal planning.
As the saying goes, heroes are forged through adversity. Nobel laureate Romain Rolland once said, "There is only one true heroism in the world: to see the world as it is and to love it." President Lionel M. Ni encouraged every student to embrace challenges and become the heroes that the world needs.
Student Testimonial
During the opening ceremony, President Ni highlighted the university's emphasis on and encouragement of innovation. It made me realize that in this fast-paced era, innovation is the key to success. I firmly believe that throughout my academic journey at HKUST(GZ), I will have ample opportunities to pursue my dreams and prepare myself for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. I am committed to constant progress, striving for excellence, and embracing the spirit of being a hero.
- Xinfeng PAN, New PhD Student
President Lionel M. Ni's lecture opened my eyes to the endless possibilities brought by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence. I aspire to translate Secretary Shaobing QU's hopes into reality during my four-year journey of learning and research at HKUST (GZ). I aim to achieve personal goals, support companions, contribute to the university and ultimately make a positive impact on the country.
- Yinglin XU, New PhD Student
With great excitement and anticipation, I eagerly attended the opening ceremony as scheduled. President Ni's speech was truly enlightening, inspiring us to embrace innovation and pursue excellence. It is my sincere hope that the Class of 2023 will soar high like red birds, united with HKUST(GZ), as we embark on a journey of boundless possibilities.
- Zixuan YU, New PhD Student
In the face of the unprecedented global changes and the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the era of generative AI, we must nurture high-order thinking and resilience. It is crucial for us to engage in meticulous design and planning, establish ethical boundaries in the age of AI, and consistently maintain ambitious goals while staying grounded. Let us wholeheartedly immerse ourselves in the technological innovation of this new era.
- Zirui HUANG from Red Bird MPhil
Transformation, future, and artificial intelligence were the three pivotal keywords addressed by President Ni during the first lesson of the academic year. Through the President's insightful exposition, I have gained a profound understanding of generative artificial intelligence and developed a keen interest in this frontier interdisciplinary field. I aspire to leverage the AI tools provided by the university efficiently, contributing to my future endeavors in integrated learning and research.
- Xu HAN, New student of Red Bird MPhil
Having attentively absorbed the President's inaugural lecture, I have acquired a profound realization of the era we are in and the qualities we must embody. As a student of HKUST(GZ), I firmly believe that through our university's commitment to educational innovation and reform, I can evolve into an A-HERO who thrives in the age of artificial intelligence. Empowered with the ability to address intricate real-life challenges, I am determined to fulfill my life's ambitions.
- Zhouan SHEN, Undergraduate freshman
The emergence of the artificial intelligence era has unveiled boundless possibilities for the future, while simultaneously introducing unprecedented challenges. In this epoch, we must cultivate a comprehensive skill set, encompassing not only expertise in our respective fields but also problem-solving capabilities and a mindset that fosters innovation.
- Yunxi OU, Undergraduate freshman
The President not only expounded upon the mission and responsibilities of the university to the students but also provided a clear direction, igniting a drive within me to strive forward. I firmly believe that on this stage of university life, brimming with opportunities and challenges, I will incessantly grow and progress, evolving into an ambitious, morally upright, talented, and responsible young individual.
- Chenhui LIU, Undergraduate freshman
With the entire faculty and student body standing, the choir of HKUST and HKUST(GZ) joined forces to sing our shared alma mater, upholding the genes of patriotism and innovation, and aspiring to lead the world in academic excellence. The ceremony concluded perfectly, embraced by the harmonious melodies.
The inauguration of the opening ceremony marks the official commencement of the 2023-2024 academic year at HKUST(GZ). On September 4th, the fall semester will commence with the commencement of classes.
