HKUST(GZ) Kicks Off 2026 Undergraduate Opening Ceremony

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou) held its 2026 Undergraduate Opening Ceremony on Aug 31, at which it welcomed 532 first-year students.

This marks the fifth opening ceremony since the establishment of HKUST(GZ) and is a meaningful occasion as the University celebrates its fifth anniversary.

Professor Lionel M. NI, President of HKUST(GZ), delivered the welcome address and the First Lecture to incoming freshmen, encouraging them to embrace proactive innovation from an interdisciplinary perspective in the era of artificial intelligence.

The Opening Ceremony was presided over by Mr. Zhongpeng GU, Party Secretary of HKUST(GZ), and was co-hosted by freshmen Xinyu LI and Yueyang RAO.

The ceremony commenced at 9 am with the solemn national anthem.

In his welcome speech, President NI emphasized the mutual empowerment between HKUST(GZ) and its students, bound together by a shared spirit of curiosity, exploration, and the courage to innovate. He said that as an interdisciplinary university, HKUST(GZ) resembles an open field with no predetermined paths, making it the perfect place for students to chart a lifelong, one-of-a-kind journey.

He offered three pieces of advice to the freshmen: embrace the unknown as a source of creativity, embark on journeys before feeling fully prepared, and seek companions who offer genuine understanding and inspiration.

“Artificial intelligence cannot replace interpersonal understanding, trust, intellectual inspiration, and emotional connections,” he said. "Your classmates today might become your future research partners, entrepreneurial teammates, or lifelong friends tomorrow."

President NI also emphasized that university education is not merely about acquiring knowledge or mastering skills — it is, more importantly, about developing the ability to navigate the unknown. He encouraged students to use AI to expand their capabilities, but never to let it replace their independent judgment.

"May you become creators who are courageous enough to make choices and explore boldly, embarking on this journey together to create a better world," he said.

Haoyue CHEN, a representative of the freshmen, shared her personal story at the ceremony, highlighting the importance of asking meaningful questions rather than simply finding standard solutions.

She said she chose HKUST(GZ) because students here have countless opportunities to carve out their own paths. "Don't let a single label define you,” she told her peers. “Use your hands, heart, and courage to become the person you want to be."

International student Tadeo REYERO from Argentina said that he had been fascinated by Chinese culture since childhood and had gradually come to appreciate China's important role on the world stage.

He chose HKUST(GZ) for its international reputation, research strength and interdisciplinary educational philosophy. "This University has given me the freedom to choose what kind of person I want to become," he said, expressing hope to serve as a bridge between Argentina and China, finance and technology, and across different cultures.

Associate Professor Yunlong ZI, Acting Dean of the College of Education Sciences, spoke on behalf of the faculty members. He introduced the University's unique interdisciplinary academic structure featuring "Hubs" and "Thrusts", as well as the ongoing educational reforms, including AI-driven courses, interdisciplinary projects, and interactive assessments.

He encouraged students to stay curious, be brave enough to break down boundaries, have the courage to ask questions that may seem "silly", and remain kind, always willing to help fellow students.

While delivering the First Lecture titled "From Spring to Flow", President NI raised a central question: In the age of AI, what should students truly learn in a university? He challenged students to develop three key abilities: the ability to ask critical questions, the ability to make precise judgments among competing options, and the resilience to grow stronger from adversity.

Using the success story of DJI as an example, he illustrated the lifecycle of innovation: "Our environment is highly tolerant of failure and encourages continuous experimentation, bringing together scattered breakthroughs to form a powerful stream through interdisciplinary collaboration."

President NI emphasized the strategic importance of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area as a hub for interdisciplinary collaboration. He encouraged all freshmen to take full advantage of HKUST(GZ) to develop themselves and become who they aspire to be.

The ceremony reached its emotional peak when President NI asked the freshmen if they were ready to embrace university life without standard answers, break down disciplinary boundaries, and shape their future here at HKUST(GZ). Their response was a resounding "YES!"

Then, the University leaders and faculty members pinned University emblems on the freshmen representatives.

The ceremony ended with the singing of the University anthem, as a giant HKUST(GZ) flag was unfurled, symbolizing the start of a new academic year.

Later in the evening, the Welcome Party 2026 was held, and the fall semester officially commenced on Sept 1.