SFS hosted two opening ceremonies in September 2024 to welcome the 2024 enrollees.
The postgraduate opening ceremony was held on September 7 and chaired by Xu Ming, Deputy Secretary of the SFS Party Committee. Many senior faculty members attended the event.
In his opening remarks, Prof. Zhang Chang’an, Secretary of the SFS Party Committee, extended a heartfelt welcome to the new students. He highlighted the school’s milestones in academic disciplines, talent cultivation, and international exchange. He called upon foreign language students to harness technological innovations and lead advances in international communication and academic research.
Speaking as a supervisor representative, Li Yali offered guidance to new students on effective time management, communication and collaboration skills, and maintaining overall well-being.
Drawing from her journey as a master's candidate, Yu Xinxin urged fellow students to embrace academic opportunities and navigate challenges in the University's vibrant intellectual ecosystem.
On behalf of the Class of 2024, Hu Ruisi, the first-year postgraduate delegate, expressed gratitude for the University's thoughtful arrangements and student-centric services. Drawing upon her experiences in the "Pioneer Program", she reflected on the transformation from being a "passive knowledge recipient" to an "active problem explorer" and pledged to uphold the Westward Relocation Spirit.
Following the opening ceremony was an orientation program for the newly enrolled students. Chang Shuai from XJTU's Security Department shared real-life cases of theft and fraud to enhance students' safety awareness. Advisor Xue Xuanji provided information on the SFS's institutional structure, scholarship and financial aid policies, and academic and campus life tips. Directors of the Foreign Languages Research Center and the MTI Education Center elaborated on the pedagogical frameworks of their respective programs and academic resources.
On September 8, SFS held its opening ceremony for 2024 undergraduates. The ceremony was presided over by Xu Ming. Prof. Chen Xiangjing, Dean of the SFS, Prof. Zhang Chang’an, Secretary of the SFS Party Committee, and Ye Ming, Director of Pengkang College, attended the ceremony to welcome the 104 new undergraduate students.
Ye expounded the School+College Collaborative Education Model that synergizes disciplinary rigor with holistic mentorship. In reviewing the evolution of Pengkang College, he honored the legacy of former XJTU President Peng Kang through vivid narratives of the Westward Relocation Campaign. He urged the freshmen to embody the motto "Active Thought, Active Learning, Active Life" and to grow into responsible, forward-thinking young people ready to make a difference in the new era.
Speaking on behalf of the faculty, Dr. Fan Lu underscored the value of interdisciplinary approaches to language studies and encouraged the students to cultivate curiosity, develop independent learning skills, and embrace their university life.
Guo Jiaxin, a freshmen representative, expressed her aspiration of narrating China's stories with language as a bridge. Jia Kejing, a senior student representative, shared her growth experiences in XJTU with three keywords: "Goal, Courage, and Mindset".
Concluding the ceremony, Prof. Chen Xiangjing stressed the necessity to move beyond viewing languages as mere communication instruments. Foreign language learning requires in-depth exploration of linguistic structures and literary texts. Invoking the school motto—"Study Hard, Link East and West, Speak the World at Its Best!"— she urged students to establish deep roots within the XJTU academic community and cultivate a global perspective to actively engage with worldwide challenges.
The two ceremonies and one orientation program not only helped newcomers to learn about the school and meet new classmates, but also inspired them to carry forward the Westward Relocation Spirit and guided their academic development. It is hoped that the students will carry on this legacy and achieve great success in their academic journeys under the school’s guidance.
