HKUST(GZ) Opening Ceremony 2025 kicks off the new academic year with President NI delivering the "First Lecture"
On the morning of August 31, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) held the Opening Ceremony 2025 at the Sports Hall on campus.
This year, about 1,500 new undergraduate, master's and doctoral students from around the world joined HKUST(GZ), injecting fresh energy and cultural diversity into the University.
This marks the fourth academic year for HKUST(GZ), with the total student population reaching nearly 4,000, comprising individuals from 24 countries and regions worldwide. Nansha together with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, a fertile ground for innovation, and HKUST(GZ), the world’s first cross-disciplinary university, are these students’ shared choice.
Representatives from university leadership, academic and administrative departments, along with all new students, also participated in the ceremony. At the ceremony, Prof. Lionel NI, Founding President of HKUST(GZ), delivered an inspiring “First Lecture to Class of 2025”.
Hear from them: Why they chose HKUST(GZ)?
In his welcome address, President NI shared with the new students: “At HKUST(GZ), you are not only learners, but also doers, thinkers and even dreamers. Your greatness will define ours,” he added.
He emphasized that HKUST(GZ) was not only striving to keep pace with the times, but was also taking the lead in shaping them, providing innovative solutions to major challenges facing human society.
The University has inherited HKUST’s innovative and entrepreneurial spirits, with many postgraduates are already bold founders of successful ventures. Through deep collaboration with industry, HKUST(GZ) closely integrates curriculum design with market needs, ensuring students can apply their knowledge.
This year, the first cohort of graduates in Master of Science in Data-Centric Artificial Intelligence Technology program all have promising destinations, which fully validates the University's educational excellence.
President NI also shared his three insights on talent cultivation: First, the value of education extends far beyond obtaining a degree. It lies in self-discovery and unleashing potential.
Second, students should look inwards, believe in themselves, stay true to their passions and pursue their dreams with courage.
Third, in the age of AI, the ability to ask smart questions, and to think critically, creatively as well as courageously matter more, because "personalized creativity can never be replaced".
This year, HKUST(GZ) enrolled nearly 470 undergraduate students, the highest number since its establishment. TAN Zhengxi, a graduate of Shenzhen Middle School, delivered a speech on behalf of the undergraduate freshmen.
He shared a small story after arriving on campus: When he asked Prof. XU Jiang, Head of Microelectronics Thrust, a question online, Prof. Xu proactively called him and engaged in an in-depth conversation for nearly an hour. After the call, TAN knew for sure he has come to the right place.
"The great rewards of higher education lie not only in the knowledge we will gain, but also in the bonds we will build, more importantly, in the persons we will become," TAN said in his speech.
Anastasia NIKOLOVA from Russia represented the new master's students. She also has a melodious Chinese name, Ni Mengshan. She shared her fascinating connection with China and her reasons for choosing HKUST(GZ). While testing an AI-driven toy capable of real-time conversation with children at a kindergarten in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, she witnessed a shy little girl gradually relax and smile. At that moment, she realized that truly great technology is not confined to research papers but can illuminate real lives.
She said that in HKUST(GZ)’s cross-disciplinary and practice-oriented environment, she will learn deeply, serve broadly and grow socially responsible, to "truly makes people's lives better".
SHENG Jiarui, a new doctoral student and serial entrepreneur in the Internet of Things (IoT) field, brought practical experience and reflections from the industry’s forefront. Reflecting on his 12 years of entrepreneurial experience, he admitted that coming to HKUST(GZ) was about a “move from catch-up to truly next-generation work”. He firmly believed that HKUST(GZ)’s collaborative and innovative environment would nurture scientific and technological achievements that “set higher standards, advance industries, solve real problems and earn global respect”.
Assistant Prof. LIU Li, from Artificial Intelligence Thrust of Information Hub, represented the faculty. In her view, HKUST(GZ) is not only a place for knowledge production but also a cradle for nurturing ambitious talents. Drawing from her own experience as a young scholar, she encouraged all students, especially women, to actively engage in the field of AI.
“AI requires not only math and coding, but also empathy, creativity and the ability to see problems from multiple perspectives. These qualities are not defined by gender or even by formal qualification. They come from passion and not giving up,” she added. In the face of rapid technological changes, she offered three pieces of advice to new students: Always keep an open mind, do not fear uncertainty and anchor ambition in humanity.
First Lecture: exploring "building resilience in uncertainties"
Amid warm applause from faculty and students, President NI delivered the “First Lecture to Class of 2025” titled “Stay light, stay liquid: building resilience in uncertainties”.
President NI first elaborated on the essence of university education. Unlike previous learning stages with standard answers, university students face more open-ended questions. Students need to think critically, to be creative, and to bring in their own ideas. They will also need to justify their perspectives or arguments, and take part in meaningful discussions with others.
President NI cited sociologist Zygmunt BAUMAN's "liquid modernity" theory, pointing out that in today's rapidly changing world, students should maintain resilience to respond adeptly to change. Specifically, he advised students to "stay light" in mindset, free from rigid structures or outdated practices; while "staying liquid" in action by maintaining open and inclusive attitudes, working with people from different background, and eventually transforming knowledge and skills.
To help students navigate changes, HKUST(GZ) has implemented a series of innovative initiatives. As an institution focused on the field of AI, the University actively promotes the integration of AI technology with education. The University not only imparts domain knowledge, but also fosters a growing mindset and an adaptive skillset. Through general education and practical learning, students will have opportunities not only to think deeply and critically, but also to broaden perspectives for different values and cultures. In the end, students will develop a unique framework for learning, evaluating, and solving problems.
Additionally, the University promotes multimode learning, which includes advanced teaching methods such as flipped classrooms, VR technology, metaverse classroom and the “Explorer” Undergraduate Research Program to encourage self-learning. At the same time, the University creates authentic scenarios to help students understand theory and apply knowledge in practice.
President NI shared a series of scientific research conducted by HKUST(GZ)’s faculty members in the face of natural uncertainties. Examples include Prof. Su Quanke’s engineering practice in the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, Prof. Gao Ping’s development of nano-film, Prof. Qiu Huihe’s research on natural flyers like dragonflies to improve low altitude air vehicles with flexible wings, and Assistant Prof. Zhao Hang’s efforts to enhance eVTOL safety through core drive components. All these research outcomes demonstrate a symbiotic wisdom between technology and nature.
In his concluding remarks, President NI emphasized that HKUST(GZ) aim to accomplish what was previously unattainable. The University is committed to cultivating an environment free from rigid boundaries, where knowledge flows, resilience grows, and talents thrive organically.
Donning university badges, singing the university anthem and passing the university flag: Welcoming the new academic year!
During the ceremony, university leaders handed 12 student representatives the university badge, encouraging them to inherit and promote the can-do spirit of HKUST(GZ) and HKUST.
As the ceremony drew to a close, all the faculty and students stood up and sang together the common university anthem of HKUST and HKUST(GZ). At the same time, a gigantic flag of HKUST(GZ) was slowly carried and touched by everyone, passing through the crowd. The flag fluttered as the ceremony came to a close, marking the beginning of a new academic year.
The Opening Ceremony was held in a hybrid format, with faculty, staff, students, their families, friends and invited guests participating on-site or via a live video stream.
On the afternoon of August 31, HKUST(GZ) also held a welcome carnival. On September 1, the autumn semester of the 2025-26 academic year officially began.
