On March 14, the opening ceremony of the 2023 spring semester for international students was held at Xuhui Campus. Surrounded by the national flags of all countries, which danced in the wind, over 260 international students, brimming with smiles, gathered at the site. They were dressed in their national costumes and ECUST memorial uniforms. This marked the first time that international students had returned to school after the pandemic. Additionally, it was the first time in the history of our university that this type and scale of opening ceremony had been held for international students. The event was attended by Vice President Li Jian, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages Zhao Hong, Vice Dean of the School of Chemistry Ma Xiang, and presided over by Dean of the College of International Education Li Xiaopeng.

Photo: Vice President Li Jian attended the opening ceremony for international students

A total of 451 international students from 90 countries are currently studying in our school this semester, with 63% of them hailing from countries along the Belt and Road. On behalf of the university, Li Jian extends a warm welcome to the international students from around the world who have returned to the campus. In his speech, he introduces the past achievements of our school's international education work and emphasizes our commitment to the concept of a shared future for mankind. Our school has put forth the idea of "from ECUST to the world" as a guiding principle for internationalization. Looking ahead, the university aims to collaborate with world-class institutions to jointly train ECUST's international students, offering various joint educational programs such as "2+2" and "2+1". The goal is for ECUST to become a vital hub rather than a mere destination on the journey of international students.

Li Jian emphasizes that international students are invaluable assets shared by the host country and China, serving as ambassadors of friendship that connect China with the rest of the world. He encourages the students to expand their horizons by "reading more  books" and "traveling to more places", enabling them to become excellent representatives of ECUST. In their perception of Chinese society, he urges them not only to document their own "Chinese stories" but also to share these stories with the world.

Photo: Vice President Li Jian's speech

Zhao Hong and Ma Xiang, serving as representatives of the international students' tutors, express their high hopes to the students. Zhao Hong shares three key words—"warmth," "challenge," and "community"—with the students. She emphasizes that ECUST has created a warm, diverse, and inclusive environment for both domestic and foreign students. Her hope is for the students to actively integrate into Chinese culture, broaden their horizons, expand their thinking, and grow into their best selves.

Ma Xiang, the vice dean of the School of Chemistry, encourages the students to uphold the school motto of diligence, realism, and aspiring to high moral standards. He advises them to set clear learning goals, develop effective plans for their overseas studies, master proper learning methods and logical thinking, embrace the campus culture of "learning in ECUST," and ultimately forge their own path towards a bright future.

Photo: Zhao Hong, Dean of School of Foreign Languages, and Ma Xiang, vice dean of School of Chemical Engineering, spoke as teacher’s representatives

During the rest of the event, speeches were delivered by several student representatives. Sultan Abdulmohsen H Alruhaymi from Saudi Arabia, representing the Saudi Arabia National Oil Company （Saudi Aramco）; Jason Michael Frank from the United States; followed by Thi Hue Anh Nguyen from Vietnam, a master's student from the School of Bioengineering; Oskina Daria, a graduate business student from Russia and finally, Mohamed Abdillahi Mohamed, a Somali student, spoke to Xinhua News Agency. To conclude the event, Yi Chan Kerk, a Malaysian student, showcased her calligraphy work, and a group photo of international students was taken....