The School of Foreign Languages of Shanghai Jiao Tong University hosted an opening ceremony online to welcome its freshmen on September 21. The School of Foreign Languages Vice Party Secretary Zhu Yifan moderated the opening ceremony, attended by other School leaders, teachers and 2022 freshmen. 

At the opening ceremony, the Party Secretary of the School of Foreign Languages Ding Jian delivered a welcome speech and extended a warm welcome to all incoming freshmen on behalf of the School, expressing his sincere respect to the parents and teachers who had worked hard over the years. 

He said that Shanghai Jiao Tong University was making steady progress towards the goal of becoming a world-class university rooted in China, and it was known as the fastest-growing university in China since the reform and opening up. After the continuous efforts of several generations of teachers and students, the foreign language and literature discipline in SJTU has made its way into the top in the country.

Since students applied for admission into SFL with a bright vision for the future, the School of Foreign Languages will dedicate itself whole-heartedly to helping them realize the value-added education.  

He said that however complex and changeable the covid-19 pandemic was, and in spite of the transformations and challenges in life, students of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, as young elites of the new era, should be obliged to confront all kinds of challenges in a positive manner， regardless of the changes in the external environment, never forgetting their original aspiration to apply for Shanghai Jiao Tong University. 

He called on all students to cherish the Shanghai Jiao Tong University brand and the excellent environment, live up to the golden time of youth, align their personal goals with the needs of the nation, take upon the responsibility of realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, strive to grow into internationally-oriented, innovative talents familiar with the policies of the country and the Party, having both a global vision and a patriotic heart. 

Hu Hai from the English Department spoke as the teacher representative. By talking about his academic life, he shared with students his experiences in understanding the discipline and planning one’s life. He urges the incoming students to pursue their passion and goals tirelessly and devotedly, chase their dreams boldly, and live out the true meaning and value of life. 

Wang Xiaoqian, an undergraduate from the German Department spoke as the returning students representative. Drawing upon her experiences of growth in Shanghai Jiao Tong University, she talked about Wang Guowei’s Three Realms of Life, urging newcomers to dare to try and make mistakes, learn to live with loneliness, and become independent. She wished all the freshmen get what they wish for and start a new journey. 

Likewise, Jia Ziyue from the Japanese Department gave a speech as the new undergraduate student representative. She recalled her original aspiration of choosing the foreign language major, expressing her longing and vision for future study and life. As the words in President Xi Jinping’s poem goes, “Green is the tiny drop of water, greener is the sea of thousands of acres that it joins in.”  She expressed her determination to gain knowledge here, tell Chinese stories well, spread Chinese voices and inject a spring of live water into the world. 

Chen Yiran of the foreign language and literature major spoke as the new master students representative. She said that four years’ undergraduate study in language helped enrich and enlighten her mind, so she decided to continue to explore the meaning of language study, determined to overcome the cultural barriers, break through the life boundaries to grow into SJTU youth with ideals, hopes and commitments. 

Finally, the opening ceremony ended with the singing of the school song of Shanghai Jiao Tong University.