Source: Publicity Department
Written by: Publicity Department
Photo by: Li Jinfeng, Ye Ziqi, Xiao Yao, Ma Jiaquan
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On September 2, the Opening Ceremony 2019 of Sun Yat-sen University was held simultaneously on Guangzhou East Campus and Zhuhai Campus. The ceremony was attended by more than 8,000 new undergraduate students.

Attendees included the university leaders Chen Chunsheng, Luo Jun, Sun Dongbai, Guo Yaping, Li Shanmin, Yu Minbin, Ma Jun, Yang Qinghua, Wang Xuehua, Lan Ping, and Tai Zhongzhi; members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering Lin Haoran and Wang Fuming; members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Ji Liangnian, Chen Xinzi, Zhang Peizhen and Lv Daren; and the leaders of schools, departments and affiliated hospitals.

The ceremony started with the solemn national anthem. Secretary Chen Chunsheng delivered the welcome speech. He pointed out that SYSU is a university with revolutionary tradition, patriotic spirit, and pursuit of excellence. He hoped that the new students will carry forward the patriotic spirit, make contributions to our country, and strive to realize the Chinese dream of national rejuvenation!

Secretary Chen Chunsheng reviewed the remarkable achievements of the University in the past five years. With five campuses in three cities, with academic strengths in the humanities and natural sciences, leading position in medical sciences, and rapid development in engineering, agricultural sciences and arts, the University has shown distinct characteristics of being comprehensive, research-oriented and open. With unique regional advantage and development, we have laid a strategic foundation for steady progress in the next hundred years. Secretary Chen Chunsheng hoped that the students should follow the university motto: "Study Extensively, Enquire Accurately, Reflect Carefully, Discriminate Clearly, Practice Earnestly”, meet the requirements for the new era: “be patriotic, be motivated, seek truth, take personal action", become students “with both ability and moral integrity, able to cultivate charisma and eager to serve the country”, "study at SYSU and pursue excellence”, and strive forward to be well-prepared to join the socialist cause.
President Luo Jun delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, extending congratulations to the new students. He pointed out that SYSU’s extraordinary history, revolutionary tradition and pursuit of excellence are precious spiritual treasures for every member of the SYSU community.

President Luo Jun put forward four expectations for the new students: they should have devotion to the country, and link their own growth to the development of the country, the nation and the society; they should have new pursuits, shoulder their responsibilities, and have the ideals and aspirations to be well-prepared to join the socialist cause; they should cultivate practical skills, study rigorously and diligently, and lay a solid foundation for their lives in the future; they should be ambitious, daring to be the first and leading the trend.
At this year’s opening ceremony, the organizers played three videos “Passing on the traditions of revolution”, “Shouldering responsibilities and leading the trend”, "Pursuing dreams and striving to be world-class”, and invited outstanding teachers to tell their stories to the new students.
The continuing student representative Lang Xi shared his experience in the army. After returning to SYSU, he was actively involved in student work, acting as a member of the class committee and an instructor for the national flag guards at the University. He encouraged the new students to cherish the time, be ambitious and strive for their aspirations. 

The new student representative Cao Yangyang shared her joy and pride of becoming a member of the SYSU community. She said she will study hard, keep the expectations of the teachers in mind, and strive forward. She hoped in the future days, she will apply what she has learned at SYSU to make contributions to the motherland.
Led by Deputy Secretary Yu Minbin, the new students took the solemn oath, expressing that they will remember the university motto, shoulder the mission of the times, advocate science and reason, study diligently, seek truth and innovate.

For the first time the opening ceremony was staged on Guangzhou East Campus and Zhuhai Campus simultaneously, with video interactions through the whole process, providing a solemn first lecture for the new students at the University.