On September 20th, the opening ceremony for the 2023 freshmen of College of International Education( Guangzhou Dublin International College of Life Sciences and Technology) at South China Agricultural University was held at the Ding Ying Auditorium. Deng Yiqun, member of the Standing Committee of Party Committee and vice president of SCAU, Shao Jiasheng, secretary of the Party Committee at College of International Education, Feng Lixin, dean of CIE, Paul Fanning, provost of GDIC, Zhao Lihong, vice dean of CIE, and Cheng Li, deputy provost of GDIC, as well as teaching and management staff of University College Dublin, all faculty members of CIE, and class teachers of the 2023 class attended the opening ceremony. The opening ceremony was presided over by the vice dean of CIE, Hao Gang.
Vice president Deng Yiqun, on behalf of the university, warmly congratulates the 459 2023 freshmen of the college and warmly welcomes the arrival of the teaching and management staff of University College Dublin. He pointed out that as a "Double First Class" university in China, SCAU has always been committed to cultivating top-notch innovative and industrial leading talents with lofty ideals, patriotism, strong capability, and pragmatic spirit.
Deng Yiqun's heartfelt message to freshmen: Students should adhere to the spirit of the university motto - "cultivating morality, learning extensively, seeking truth, and innovation", be down-to-earth, guide your academic career and life direction with lofty ideals, become a member of SCAU in the new era with ideals and a sense of responsibility, strive to grow into high-quality talents with an international perspective and global citizenship awareness, make good use of the platform for internationalization at SCAU, cultivate a global perspective, interpret different cultures, enhance multicultural understanding, and improve your abilities.
Vice president Deng Yiqun delivered a speech
Paul Fanning, provost of GDIC welcomed the freshmen in his speech and expressed gratitude for the support from both South China Agricultural University and the University College Dublin. He hopes that all freshmen will establish lofty aspirations, make full use of the opportunities provided by the college, realize their dream of becoming a top student, adhere to openness and inclusiveness, value and respect people from various backgrounds, stimulate creativity through a positive attitude of equality, diversity, and inclusiveness, cultivate a global perspective, deeply explore the importance of international cooperation, master and apply relevant knowledge and skills, and promote 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.” Dean Feng Lixin first congratulated the freshmen on successfully being admitted to their desired "Double First Class" universities, hoping that they would always be grateful for the strong support and help from parents, family, teachers, friends, and the country on their journey of study. Then Feng Lixin delivered a speech titled "Growing up with Diligence, Intelligence and Commitments". Feng Lixin pointed out that the college is an international platform of education that is inspiring, caring and inclusive, dynamic, promising and multi-cultural. He sincerely hopes that students will cherish their time at the college, always have a proactive attitude with diligence, increase their intelligence, have a sense of commitment, and seek synchronous development personally, professionally and academically to grow into talents.
Dean Feng Lixin delivered a speech
Professor Wen Jikai, representative of Chinese teaching staff is a teacher from the College of Life Sciences. He encouraged freshmen to have passion, courage, and confidence, and strive to achieve their ambitions. He said working hard is the most beautiful posture of youth, and hoped that students could enjoy a college life without regrets.
Professor Wen Jikai, representative of Chinese teaching staff delivered a speech
Dr. Daniel Hurley, representative of foreign teaching staff used his teaching experience to depict a blueprint for the future learning life of freshmen. With a positive and enthusiastic attitude, he encouraged freshmen to understand and have passion for their majors, and wished them all the best in their studies!
Dr. Daniel Hurley, representative of foreign teaching staff delivered a speech
Yang Hanfei, a senior student representative from 2021 finance program, encouraged freshmen to work hard to learn professional knowledge, actively participate in various activities, maintain a positive attitude, bravely face challenges, and continuously pursue their dreams.
Senior student representative Yang Hanfei delivered a speech
Yi Yuxin, freshman representative from the 2023 food quality and safety program, shared her insights into the spirit of Ding Ying and is determined to hold youthful ambitions, take on youthful responsibility, keep the youthful commitments and adhere to the motto "cultivating morality, learning extensively, seeking truth and innovation" .
Freshman representative Yi Yuxin delivered a speech
Cheng Li, deputy provost of GDIC presided over the scarfing ceremony, symbolizing that the 170 freshmen of the 2023 programs had registered at University College Dublin.
deputy provost of GDIC Cheng Li presided over the scarfing ceremony
Shaking hands to greet
Carrying their hopes and dreams in their hearts, the students are sending a letter to the time post to the future.
As the saying goes, spring brings forth a hundred herbs, and autumn brings forth a thousand treasures. Freshmen come to South China Agricultural University during the harvest season. May you experience four years of hard work and, like autumn, shed your immaturity and grow into your best selves!
Sending a letter to the future
Liu Xinyi from 2023 horticultural program, said that the opening ceremony is exciting. “I hope to turn my expectations into reality in four years at SCAU, and I hope to stick to my heart. I will carry the power of time, be down-to-earth, and constantly strive for excellence. In the future, I will contribute to the development of SCAU!"
Qin Jingrui from 2023 finance program expressed great expectation that through the internationalization platform of the college, we can effectively practice the motto of "cultivating morality, learning extensively, seeking truth and innovation", and grow into an international talent.
"I am very happy and excited to come to South China Agricultural University to study. I love SCAU!" said CHITOTOMBE TEDDY TINASHE, a 2023 master's student from Zimbabwe. He advocates that students seize the hard-won learning opportunities, embrace China's profound and rich culture, confidently embark on a new journey, move forward courageously, and face new challenges!
Yang Yi from 2023 Hong Kong and Macao program expressed that the opening ceremony filled her with expectations for her future learning and life: "We will go from SCAU to the world. We are students of the new era, and we will fly to the distance like birds, breaking through our own world."
Group photo
Staff from UCD
