Fudan held an opening ceremony to welcome incoming students on the large lawn in front of the Guanghua Building on August 30. More than 16,000 students from 92 countries and regions gathered to join this event.
“‘Fu Xi’ said: There is no rain in Shanghai today.” Last year, the meteorological model precisely forecast the weather of the day of the opening ceremony. One year later, on the same lawn, this year’s ceremony showcases Fudan’s spirit of embracing AI4S (AI for Science) and innovation.
University education spans far wider than the scope of grades and rankings, “A complete innovative exploration, which may ends in failure, is much more meaningful than an A grade,” said JIN Li, president of Fudan University.
But how to innovate continuously? Jin emphasized the innate creativity, ability for innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. Innovating for strength is the pulse of the new era, as well as the theme and mission of Fudan’s educational philosophy. The key to innovation lies in the continuous effort to create new things and move forward. The fundamental task of an innovative university is to foster talents with lifelong innovation capabilities.
Jin presented the school emblem to freshman representatives and handed them the “Fudan Events” booklet for fall semester 2024. This comprehensive guide is a treasure trove of intellectual and cultural engagements, promising a vibrant semester filled with interdisciplinary dialogues and science popularization activities.
Professor QI Yuan, director of Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Incubation Institute of Fudan University shared his insights: “Dare to challenge the impossible. Learn from actions and practice.” Three years ago, Qi left the industrial sector to return to academia, starting from scratch in the integration of academic research and industrial innovation. “Stopping in your comfort zone will only turn excellence into a stumbling block for greatness,” Qi advised the students to never stray from their dreams..
“I spent the most precious ten years of my life at Fudan.” RUAN Weixiang, one of the University Board members said at the ceremony, “What’s more important than diligence is the ability to learn. What’s more crucial than talent is sustained passion and concentration. What’s more essential than interest is innovative thinking with a sense of mission.”
XIAO Ziyao, the class of 2024 undergraduate representative of Xianghui Academy, has a profound passion for sciences. “I have always particularly hoped to pursue interdisciplinary studies in mathematics and computer science,” said Ziyao, who believes that he and his cohorts will grow and become “stem cell-like” talents, a metaphor that encapsulates the boundless potential and adaptability inherent in every Fudaner.
LI Jianing, a first-year Ph.D. student from the School of Pharmacy, has been curious since childhood about the miraculous effect a few pills prescribed by doctors can have on patients. His questions converged into a dream, leading him to choose the pharmacy program at Fudan University and aspiring him to become a pharmacologist. “The university stands at the vanguard of AI4S (AI for Science), offering us cutting-edge knowledge and top-notch interdisciplinary platforms,” said Jianing. He is eager to venture beyond traditional research paradigms venture and take on challenging research tasks.
Samana Shah Kazmi, representative of international students from School of International Relations and Public Affairs said her connection with Fudan began with her older sister studying clinical medicine at Fudan. As a young girl from Pakistan who grew up in northeastern China and a “veteran freshman” who attended Fudan’s pre-university program last year, she has set some small goals for herself. “I hope to become a ‘friendship ambassador’ between China and Pakistan, and help more foreigners understand China’s splendid culture and rapid development and more Chinese friends feel the warmth and charm of Pakistan,” she said.
Opening Ceremony ends,
and a New Journey starts from now.
(END)
Presented by Fudan University Media Center
Writer: DING Jintong
Photographer: CHENG Zhao, XING Huaitian, CHEN Zhiyou, DU Hao, WANG Jingyang, CHEN Zhijia, WANG Yifan, YAN Aimisai, DING Jintong