At 3 p.m. on September 8, the opening ceremony for 2026 freshmen of the School of Electronic Science and Engineering (School of Microelectronics), Faculty of Engineering, South China Normal University, was grandly held at the Gymnasium of Nanhai Campus, Foshan Campus. A total of 626 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral freshmen gathered together to embark on a new journey of academic pursuit. Guests attending the ceremony included Wu Lan, Party Secretary of the Faculty of Engineering; Han Peng, Deputy Dean; Xu Yongwang, Deputy Party Secretary and Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission; Huo Nengjie, Director of the Academic Sub-Committee; Gao Wei, Assistant; Xu Huzi, Deputy Director of the Office; Chen Xiaoyu and Chen Yun, Academic Affairs Officers; Luo Renzhang, Counselor and Secretary of the Youth League Committee; Chen Xin, Counselor for 2026 Undergraduate Freshmen; and a number of full-time teachers, counselors, and administrative staff, together with all 2026 freshmen. The ceremony was presided over by Qi Denghui, Counselor for 2025 and 2026 Graduate Students.

PART 01: Singing of the National Anthem

The opening ceremony officially began with the solemn and majestic national anthem.

PART 02: Address by Wu Lan, Party Secretary of the Faculty of Engineering

Secretary Wu Lan extended a warm welcome and sincere greetings to all 2026 freshmen. She noted that, under the leadership of the University’s Party and administrative leadership, as fertile ground for cultivating engineering talent, the Faculty of Engineering has, over more than five years since its establishment, closely aligned itself with national strategic development needs and the strategic deployment of building a science and technology powerhouse. It has actively served the requirements for optimizing disciplinary layout and deepened its work in frontier electronic information fields such as chips and integration technology, optoelectronic displays, hydrogen energy, modern communications, artificial intelligence, educational intelligence, brain-inspired chips, and intelligent connected systems. It has focused on breakthroughs in key core technologies and continued to promote interdisciplinary integration and innovation, achieving fruitful results in discipline development, scientific research, faculty recruitment and development, talent cultivation, and social services. With prominent disciplinary strengths, a strong faculty, and well-equipped research platforms, the Faculty has established an integrated undergraduate-master’s-doctoral training system to cultivate high-caliber, specialized, and interdisciplinary talents with all-round development in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor.

She encouraged all freshmen to take root at SCNU, abide by the university motto, devote themselves to academic pursuit, hone their thinking, shape their character, and improve their overall qualities. Standing at a new starting point, she shared three pieces of advice, hoping they would serve as sails for the students to pursue their dreams. First, stay grounded and build a solid foundation for youth with solid skills. Second, be brave in innovation and march toward the frontiers of science and technology with a pioneering attitude. Third, keep responsibility in mind and shoulder the mission of the times with youthful abilities. Starting from a chip, explore the mysteries of technology; starting from an experiment, break through personal boundaries; starting today, set sail on a brilliant “chip” journey!

PART 03: Speech by Faculty Representative Huo Nengjie

Combining his own research growth experience from undergraduate study to overseas further study, Mr. Huo Nengjie extended a warm welcome and heartfelt message to all 2026 freshmen. He offered targeted academic guidance for different stages—undergraduate and graduate—and shared his insights on growth from three dimensions: cherishing time, collaborating for common progress, and adjusting physically and mentally. His earnest words injected warm strength into the freshmen as they embarked on their new journey.

PART 04: Speech by Freshman Representative Xu Zijia

Xu Zijia, a 2026 undergraduate freshman, delivered an emotional speech themed “A Pact to Pursue the Chip Dream.” Xu shared the story of a lifelong connection with chips since childhood, spoke about the original aspiration and expectations behind choosing the School of Electronic Science and Engineering (School of Microelectronics), Faculty of Engineering, SCNU, and expressed the high spirits of all freshmen as they pursue the microelectronics track with passion and chase their dreams with youthful strength.

PART 05: Speech by Senior Student Representative Wang Mingchuan

Wang Mingchuan, a 2025 master’s student and a member of the Presidium of the University Graduate Student Union, spoke as a senior student representative. Drawing on his real experiences in scientific research and student work, he distilled three practical takeaways for growth: project-based thinking, staying grounded, and communication and collaboration. He encouraged junior fellow students to stay true to their passions, face setbacks directly, and achieve all-round growth while deepening their academic studies.

PART 06: Book Presentation to Freshmen

Leaders of the Faculty of Engineering and the School presented books to the freshmen, expressing their expectation that new engineering students would value reading, think actively, and be good at thinking; reflect on life through reading, sharpen the edge of their thinking, always maintain a calm mindset, stay true to their original aspirations, and make life go further and better.

PART 07: Conclusion of the Ceremony and Singing of the University Anthem

The ceremony came to a successful conclusion amid the singing of the university anthem.

May all 2026 freshmen aim high and stay grounded, forge ahead with determination, and live up to their youth. May they demonstrate the demeanor of young students in the new era with youthful passion, show youthful achievements, highlight youthful style, and contribute youthful strength in advancing the great cause of building a strong nation and national rejuvenation, and strive to write a youthful chapter of taking responsibility for Chinese modernization!