Source: Publicity Department
Written by: Zhao Xianting
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

On September 12, the Opening Ceremony 2020 of Sun Yat-sen University was held in the New Gymnasium on Guangzhou South Campus. Nearly 8,000 new undergraduate students from SYSU’s five campuses in the three cities of Guangzhou, Zhuhai and Shenzhen gathered to attend the “First Lecture at University”.

Attendees of the ceremony included Peng Xinyi, liaison officer of Party building work sent by the CPC Leading Group of the Ministry of Education; Chen Chunsheng, Secretary of SYSU Party Committee; Luo Jun, President of SYSU; Lin Haoran, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Ji Liangnian, Chen Xiaoming, Gao Rui, Song Erwei and Dai Yongjiu, academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; university leaders and assistant presidents; and leaders of schools, departments and affiliated hospitals.


The ceremony started with the solemn national anthem. Secretary Chen Chunsheng delivered the welcome speech. He pointed out that SYSU is a university with revolutionary tradition, patriotic spirit, and pursuit of excellence. He hoped that the new students will carry forward the revolutionary tradition and the patriotic spirit, study at SYSU and pursue excellence, and strive forward to build a world-class university rooted in China!


Secretary Chen Chunsheng expressed his hope for the new students. The students should carry forward the revolutionary spirit, bear in mind the revolutionary history, and stay true to our founding mission. The students should adhere to firm ideals and convictions, and study Marxism, especially Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. The students should shoulder the responsibilities of the time, set high aspirations, be down to earth, be rooted in the people and make contributions to our country.


President Luo Jun delivered a speech at the opening ceremony, extending congratulations to the new students. He pointed out that SYSU is a university with extraordinary history, in pursuit of excellence and striving to become world class. He hoped the students will keep in mind the goal of “have both ability and moral integrity, are both able to cultivate charisma and eager serve our country”, and become capable young people well-prepared to join the socialist cause.

President Luo Jun put forward three expectations for the new students. The students should set ambitious goals, and link the realization of their individual values with the future of the Party and the country. The students should have real practice, focus on academic study, achieve all-round development, and lay a solid foundation to serve the motherland. The students should shoulder responsibilities, try to lead the trend, and become pillars of the society.

As the first lecture at the university, the opening ceremony adopted a series of videos (“carrying forward the revolutionary spirit”, “shouldering responsibilities” and “taking the lead”), situational narrations, situational dialogues and performances to highlight the revolutionary spirit, sense of responsibility and pride of SYSU teachers and students. It encouraged the new students to seize the day and live it to the full, pursue excellence and shoulder the responsibility of national rejuvenation.


The continuing student representative Zhang Tengyue shared his experience in the army. When he was serving in the army, he worked hard and achieved several honors. After returning to SYSU, he acted as monitor in the class of national flag guards. He encouraged the new students to follow the university motto: “Study Extensively, Enquire Accurately, Reflect Carefully, Discriminate Clearly, Practice Earnestly” and write a splendid chapter of youth.


The new student representative Luo Zidan, who is from Wuhan and enrolled in Zhonshan School of Medicine, shared her joy and pride of becoming a member of the SYSU community. She said she would devote herself to the medical and healthcare cause, explore knowledge and study skills, strive to innovate and create, and write a song of youth for the new era.


Led by Deputy Secretary Yu Minbin, the new students took the solemn oath, expressing that they will remember the university motto, shoulder the mission of the times, advocate science and reason, study diligently, seek truth and innovate. The new medical students also took the solemn oath, expressing that they will volunteer themselves to medicine, abide by the medical ethics, strive diligently for the perfection of technology, safeguard the sanctity and honor of medicine, and devote themselves to the physical and mental health of mankind.

The ceremony ended in the inspiring university anthem, and the new students will start a new chapter in their life.