On the morning of September 19, Wuhan University of Technology (WUT) held its 2026 freshman opening ceremony and the First Lesson at the Nanhu Stadium. Students from all over the country gathered to embark on a new chapter in their lives.

University leaders and the president’s assistants, Academician Zhang Lianmeng of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, and Frédéric Meunier, President of the École Française d’Électronique et d’Informatique, EFREI, attended the event. Also present were heads of relevant administrative and academic departments, faculty representatives, advisors to the Class of 2026, and all incoming freshmen. Li Chaoxin, Deputy Party Secretary of the university, presided over the ceremony.

The ceremony officially began with the solemn singing of the national anthem.

In his lecture titled “Be an Outstanding Young Talent with Self-Reliance, Pragmatism and Competence,” President Wang Fazhou noted that as the 15th Five-Year Plan gets off to a good start this year, WUT is making forward-looking arrangements in emerging disciplines, building high-level innovation platforms, and setting up special zones for talent cultivation. The university is also actively exploring new education models for the AI era, upgrading its educational system, and fostering a dynamic campus environment full of innovation and progress.

President Wang encouraged students to carry on the university’s spirit of serving the country through industry, to keep curiosity, courage and reverence in their hearts, and to forever uphold the three qualities of self-reliance, pragmatism and competence.

University Party Secretary Meng Fangbing pinned school badges on freshman representatives, hoping that students would carry on the school motto of “Virtue, Knowledge and Excellence”. He encouraged them to cultivate moral integrity, acquire extensive knowledge and skills, and strive for their ideals on campus.

Fan Shiqi, a national-level young talent, spoke as a faculty representative. She shared her own educational journey that began at WUT, hoping that students would keep their eyes on the stars while keeping their feet on the ground, and write a fulfilling and unforgettable chapter of youth at WUT.

Luan Fengkai, a 2023 doctoral candidate from the School of Information Engineering, spoke as a student representative. Drawing on his research and entrepreneurial experience, he encouraged his fellow students to hone their skills and grow into young talents capable of shouldering the great responsibility of national rejuvenation.

Li Yuzhe, a freshman from the School of Materials Science and Engineering and the freshman representative, shared his impressions of the first day of school. He said that in his future studies and life, he would shoulder the responsibility of "sharing the mission", adding luster to the school and contributing to the strength of the country.

Hu Chunfei, a 2026 graduate student from the School of Management, spoke as a graduate student representative. Drawing on her experience teaching in Guizhou, she encouraged her fellow students to grow into young people with ideals, responsibility, tenacity, and dedication.

Youth is made brilliant through hard work, and life is made worthy through striving. The 2026 freshman opening ceremony came to a successful close with the singing of the school anthem by all teachers and students.

Written by: Zhu Kexin, Tian Jingya, Mai Lingfei

Rewritten by: Mei Mengqi

Edited by: Yu Bingjie

Source: Publicity Department of the CPC WUT Committee