On 1 September, CUHK(SZ) held its Inauguration Ceremony 2024. Over 4,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from across the globe gathered at “Fairy Lake” to embark on a new chapter in their academic journey. President Xu Yangsheng, alongside university officers, Governing Board members, faculty members, and new undergraduate students, participated in the solemn ceremony at Liwen Hall, while postgraduate students joined at the University Sports Hall.
Distinguished guests and speakers included Professor Rocky S. Tuan, Vice-chancellor and President of CUHK and Chairman of the Governing Board of CUHK(SZ); distinguished professors at large and Nobel laureates Professor Aaron Ciechanover (2004 Nobel Prize in Chemistry) and Professor Arieh Warshel (2013 Nobel Prize in Chemistry); and President Xu Yangsheng.
In his address, Professor Tuan urged students to rise to the challenge of becoming future leaders. “We live in a time where critical issues like climate change, sustainable development, and inequality demand global attention and represent grand challenges of the 21st Century. Your responsibility therefore extends beyond borders. I urge all of you to translate your understanding of these grand challenges into actions that help solve the problems facing humanity” he said.
He also advised students to look beyond their own limitations, embrace a global perspective, and strive for excellence. “Although the road ahead may be arduous, as long as you ‘aim high and keep your feet on the ground’, continually delve into knowledge, pursue truth, goodness, and beauty, proactively care about society and give back positively, you will surely create a wonderful life of your own and contribute to the well-being of the nation.”
President Xu advised students not to focus excessively on the external world at the expense of self-exploration and growth. He said, “I hope that after arriving at the University, you can find yourselves through various activities offered by the schools and colleges”. “Finding yourself in a crowded world gives you confidence; finding the world within yourself gives you breadth of mind. Step by step, seek to discover, strengthen, and perfect yourself. Gradually, you will find the special mission hidden within you and what you are destined to do in this life. This is what you should be doing most in university.”
Two Nobel Laureates in Chemistry, Professor Aaron Ciechanover and Professor Arieh Warshel also addressed students at the inauguration ceremony. Professor Aaron Ciechanover emphasised that science and knowledge have no borders, and that mastering tools to shape the future is crucial. He highlighted the role of universities in shaping future progress across various fields. Professor Arieh Warshel stressed the importance of exploring diverse areas and discovering personal interests. He reflected on the university’s rapid development and his own academic journey, encouraging students to embrace uncertainty, focus on learning, and master scientific tools in their first year. Both speakers emphasised the importance of education in preparing for an unpredictable future filled with opportunities for innovation and discovery.
This year, CUHK(SZ) welcomed over 4,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from around the world, including new students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan for the first time. The university has admitted a total of 1,566 undergraduate students from 21 provinces (municipalities) and Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, including 23 students from Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan for the first time, with 93 students admitted for fine arts programme.
In the fall of 2024, the university has recruited more than 240 new international undergraduate students, a record high. These new students come from 17 countries, including Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Panama, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, United Kingdom, United States, Uzbekistan, and Bhutan. Additionally, the number of incoming exchange students to CUHK(SZ) has exceeded 100 for the first time in history, with a total of 133 exchange students admitted from 44 partner institutions from countries such as the United Kingdom, Denmark, Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Romania, Spain, Italy, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia.
These young students, carrying their youthful dreams, have crossed mountains and seas to gather by Fairy Lake, embarking on a new journey together. In this vast world, they will spread their wings and soar high, using their passion and ideals to write their own magnificent chapters.
