As the new year begins, everything takes on a fresh look.

Upon the arrival of the year 2016, we would like to extend our most sincere greetings, on behalf of the University, to our current students and faculty members, retired faculty and staff, domestic and overseas alumni, and friends who have joined our endeavors and continue to support Sun Yat-sen University.

Those who have great plans can see far. In the past year, the State Council officially announced the “Overall Plan to Coordinate and Push Forward the Construction of World-Class Universities and World-Class Disciplines”. With the determination and courage to face problems and pursue development through reform, Sun Yat-sen University has made a crucial step forward on its path toward becoming a world-class university, which has been enabled by meeting challenges and taking opportunities, thereby progressing toward creating a better future.

In many ways, 2015 was the inaugural year of Sun Yat-sen University’s comprehensive reform program and witnessed the beginning of a new phase of development. Standing at this new historical starting point, the University has gathered consensus, charted new paths toward development into a first-tier nationwide university, and set the strategic goal of fostering an academic environment where all disciplines develop distinctively yet systematically, thus allowing the University to blossom into an institution with influence and impact on a global scale. Taking the new opportunity of building Shenzhen Campus and pursing an expansive development agenda in Zhuhai Campus, the University now encompasses Guangzhou Campuses (South Campus, North Campus, and East Campus), Zhuhai Campus, and Shenzhen Campus. Centered on the goal of nurturing talents who have both ability and moral integrity and are both able to cultivate charisma and eager serve their country, the University is optimizing and adjusting its disciplinary structure, exploring a new round of educational and teaching reform, seeking new breakthroughs in scientific research innovation and the ability to serve the society, and deepening reforms in the personnel structure. Entrusted with the solemn duty of safeguarding the university spirit, safeguarding the rules, and safeguarding the interests of the people, we will devote our efforts to building a university community with larger spiritual core, stronger sense of belonging, and greater centripetal force.

For each of us, 2016 will be an extraordinary year. We all understand that “once an arrow is released, it cannot return to the quiver”. 2016 is the opening year of the Thirteenth Five-Year Plan. Led by the CPC, Sun Yat-sen University will continue to adhere to the socialist orientation of higher education, to adhere to the rule of law in university management, to adhere to the principle of nurturing virtue and talents, and to explore a university system that is appropriate for its actual development. With the courage and insight to lead the trend, and with the character to pursue excellence, we shall continue to explore new ideas and new models for multiple campus management and forge a path of development with unique characteristics and strengths. With the spirit of taking decisive actions, and with the courage of reform and innovation, we shall continue to break the various barriers that restrict the University’s development, and promote the development of various causes at the University.

We have full confidence in the future development of Sun Yat-sen University. For our shared dreams, expectations, and future, and with faith and courage, let us join hands and forge ahead in the development of the University!

May the New Year bring health, happiness, and success to our faculty, students, alumni and friends!

May Sun Yat-sen University have a better tomorrow!

Chen Chunsheng    Luo Jun
January 1, 2016