The opening ceremony of the 2023 freshmen of the College of International Education at South China Agricultural University (Guangzhou Dublin International College of Life Sciences and Technology, hereinafter referred to as GDIC) took place in Ding Ying Auditorium on September 20. Deng Yiqun (Vice Principal of the University, Member of the Party Committee of the University), Shao Jiasheng (Secretary of the Party Committee at GDIC), Feng Lixin (Dean of GDIC) , Paul Fanning (Provost of GDIC), Zhao Lihong (Vice Dean of GDIC), Chenguang Li (Vice Provost of GDIC), the teaching and management team from University College Dublin, all faculty and staff from GDIC were in attendance. The opening ceremony was presided over by Hao Gang, Vice Dean of GDIC.
On behalf of the University, Vice Principal Deng Yiqun extended warm congratulations to the 459 new students of 2023 cohort and warmly welcomed the teaching and management team of University College Dublin. He emphasized that as a "double first-class" university in China, our institution is dedicated to nurturing top-notch innovation and industry leaders with lofty ideals, a strong sense of national pride, excellent skills, and a pragmatic spirit.
Deng Yiqun conveyed a profound message to the new students: You should embody the spirit of the school motto - "moral, learned, realistic, innovative", be pragmatic yet idealistic, and take on the challenges of modern Chinese agriculture; They should strive to develop into high-quality talents with an international perspective and global citizenship by leveraging the school's international platform to cultivate a global outlook, interpret diverse cultures, enhance multicultural understanding, and continuously enhance your skills.
Vice Principal Deng Yiqun conveyed a profound message to the new students
In his address, Paul Fanning, Provost of GDIC, extended a warm welcome to all new students and expressed gratitude to both South China Agricultural University and University College Dublin for their support. He encouraged the new students to aspire towards ambitious goals, take advantage of the abundant opportunities provided by the college, and strive to achieve their aspirations; Embrace openness and inclusivity, value and respect individuals from diverse backgrounds, and foster creativity through a positive attitude of equality, diversity, and inclusiveness; Cultivate a global mindset, recognize the significance of international collaboration, acquire and apply relevant knowledge and skills in order to contribute to social prosperity and development.
Paul Fanning, Provost of GDIC, delivered a speech
“Appreciation is a wonderful thing: It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.” The Dean of GDIC, Feng Lixin, extended congratulations to the students for their achievement in being admitted to the "double first-class" university, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a grateful heart for the unwavering support and assistance from parents, family, teachers, friends, and the nation throughout his educational journey. Subsequently, Feng Lixin delivered a speech entitled "Growing-up with Diligence, Intelligence and Commitment," highlighting the college's role as an inspiring, caring, inclusive, dynamic, promising and multicultural international education platform. He earnestly encouraged students to cherish their university experience while striving for personal growth in diligence, intelligence and commitment both professionally and academically.
The Dean of GDIC, Feng Lixin delivered a speech
Professor Wen Jikai, a representative of the Chinese faculty form the School of Life Sciences, urged the new students to cultivate passion, courage, and confidence in pursuing their ambitions. He emphasized that embracing struggle is an essential aspect of youth and expressed his hope that the students will make the most of their college experience without any regrets.
Professor Wen Jikai delivered a speech
Dr. Daniel Hurley, the representative of foreign teachers, utilized his pedagogical expertise to outline the trajectory for the future academic and personal pursuits of incoming students, fostering a positive and enthusiastic attitude towards their chosen field of study while urging them to strive for academic excellence.
Dr. Daniel Hurley delivered a speech
As the representative of senior students, Yang Hanfei who majors in Finance (International Class), encouraged freshmen to diligently acquire professional knowledge, actively engage in various activities, maintain a positive mindset, courageously confront challenges, and relentlessly pursue their aspirations.
Student Yang Hanfei delivered a speech
As the representative of freshmen, Yi Yuxin from Food Quality and Safety major, shared her perception of Ding Ying's spirit. She is determined to write down her youthful aspirations with a lofty spirit of revolutionary ideals above the sky, to write down her youthful responsibilities with the sense of responsibility to never return until the enemy's fortress in Loulan is broken, to write down her youthful promise with the posture of not waiting for the whip to urge oneself to gallop forward, maintaining the unchanged spirit of "moral, learned, realistic, innovative".
Student Yi Yuxin delivered a speech
Chenguang Li, Vice Provost of GDIC, presided over the Scarf Awarding ceremony to the freshmen of GDIC, symbolizing that 170 new students officially became the students of University College Dublin.
Chenguang Li, Vice Provost of GDIC, presided over the Scarf Awarding ceremony
Teachers and students sent greets
With their aspirations and ambitions in mind, the students submitted a "Letter to the Future" into the time capsule.
As the students arrive at South China Agricultural University during the harvest season, they may undergo four years of rigorous training, akin to the changing seasons of spring and autumn. This transformative experience will allow them to shed their youthful naivety and grow into their best selves.
Liu Xinyi, a freshman from Horticulture major, expressed her enthusiasm for the opening ceremony. "I aspire to translate my expectations into tangible achievements at SCAU in four years, while remaining true to my original aspirations. I am determined to harness this opportunity and diligently strive for continuous improvement. I envision myself as a resilient agricultural practitioner in the future!
Qin Jinrui, a freshman from Finance major, expressed his anticipation of embodying the school motto of "moral, learned, realistic, innovative" through the school's internationalization platform, and developing into an internationally competitive talent on this foundation."
"I am thrilled and eager to pursue my studies at South China Agricultural University. I have a great fondness for SCAU," said CHITOTOMBE TEDDY TINASHE, a 2023 master's student from Zimbabwe. He encouraged fellow students to seize the valuable learning opportunities, immerse themselves in the profound and diverse culture of China, approach their new journey with confidence, progress forward, and confront new challenges.
Yang Yi, a student from the 2023 Hong Kong and Macao study program, expressed that the opening ceremony has filled her with anticipation for future academic pursuits and life. She stated, “We are transitioning from SCAU to the global stage as students of the new era. We aspire to soar like birds into distant horizons and carve out our own paths."
University College Dublin Teaching Team
