Campus News (Reporting by Liu Na; Photographs by Chen Chong, Tan Yufeng, Zheng Jingsheng) – On September 2, the Opening Ceremony for the Class of 2026 and Military Training Mobilization Assembly of our university took place at Jianyuan Stadium. Present at the assembly were university leaders Yu Yi, Tao Tao, Kong Dewen, Qiu Jianzhou, Dong Yanling, and Ke Xianbing, as well as Zhang Dong, Major and Political Instructor of the 3rd Student Company, Radar Non-commissioned Officer School, Air Force Early-Warning Academy. More than 6,000 freshmen of the Class of 2026 stood in neat formation, full of vigor and enthusiasm for academic pursuits as they embarked on a new journey. The assembly was presided over by Yu Shiliang, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee.。
（The scene of the Opening Ceremony for the Class of 2026 and the Military Training Mobilization Assembly）
At 8:15 a.m., the assembly commenced amid the rousing national anthem. All those present stood in solemn respect as the national flag was raised and the national anthem was played and sung.
（The national flag-raising ceremony is held）
Yu Yi, Chairman of the University Council and President, delivered a speech entitled "Be Self-reliant and Strive for Innovation and Entrepreneurship—Write a Youthful Chapter Worthy of the Times by the Chenguang Lake." On behalf of all faculty, staff, and students, he extended a warm welcome to all freshmen of the Class of 2026 coming from 29 provinces, municipalities directly under the Central Government, and autonomous regions across China.
（Professor Yu Yi, Chairman of the University Council and President, delivers a speech）
In his address, Yu Yi briefly reviewed the university's 33-year history of education. He noted that the university has always upheld its public-spirited founding mission of "running the university for the public and serving the people," kept firmly in mind the fundamental mission of "fostering talent for the Party and the nation," and stayed committed to developing high-quality application-oriented undergraduate education. The university has successfully passed the Undergraduate Teaching Qualification Evaluation and two rounds of Undergraduate Education and Teaching Audit Evaluations organized by the Ministry of Education, with steady improvements in overall educational strength and talent-training quality. The university has nurtured numerous outstanding graduates. Many distinguished alumni have proved through their practice of self-reliance, innovation, and entrepreneurship that extraordinary achievements can be attained even from ordinary beginnings through persistent efforts; lofty goals can only be reached by keeping high aspirations while staying firmly grounded in reality.
Yu Yi stressed that centering on its priority fields including biological health, intelligent manufacturing, health-preservation-oriented cultural tourism, and modern services, the university is further integrating industry with education and science with education. It is vigorously advancing the construction of the Wuling Mountain Modern Industry College for Health and Wellness, upgrading and optimizing the OPC innovation-entrepreneurship training system and specialized practical-training bases, striving to ensure every student can access supporting platforms, growth pathways, and opportunities to shine.
Yu Yi pointed out that the students are living in a great era. The year 2026 marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan. Artificial intelligence, bio-manufacturing, and the big-health industry are developing rapidly, and society is in urgent need of high-caliber application-oriented talents with solid competence and the courage to forge ahead. A new era of opportunity for young people has unfolded.
Based on the university motto "Self-reliance, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship," he put forward earnest expectations for all freshmen. First, uphold self-reliance to build personal integrity and cultivate perseverance. Students should learn self-care, self-discipline, and independent thinking; avoid conceit in favorable circumstances and remain unyielding amid adversity. Treat military training as their first practical course at university, tempering the willpower to endure hardship through drills. Second, pursue innovation and entrepreneurship to build sound capabilities and broaden life horizons. Carry forward the spirit of serving the nation through innovation inherited from Mr. Qian Xuesen. Make good use of AI tools without over-reliance on them, consolidate professional foundations, and strengthen practical capabilities. Take an active part in academic competitions and practical training, reject passive attitudes and internal friction, and strive to become new-era youth with sound morality, solid knowledge, strong skills, innovative minds, and a can-do spirit.
（Professor Zhao Xiuqin from the School of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering speaks as the faculty representative）
Professor Zhao Xiuqin from the School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering spoke as the faculty representative. Drawing on campus experiences, she shared four "golden keys" for the freshmen to embrace their future: hold fast to original aspirations and discard the misconception that "university means relaxation," accumulating strength through consistent self-discipline and hard work; embrace compound growth over time, understand the "lotus law," and persist in quiet efforts during the accumulation phase before reaping rewards; chart your own growth trajectory, embrace changes proactively and leverage new technologies such as AI without being defined by tools; spread kindness, cherish friendship among peers, and recognize that moral character weighs more than academic scores.
（Sun Junjie, a student from the Class of 2024 majoring in Big Data Management and Application at the School of Intelligent Manufacturing, speaks as the representative of current students）
Sun Junjie, a student from the Class of 2024 majoring in Big Data Management and Application at the School of Intelligent Manufacturing, spoke as the representative of current students. Drawing from his personal journey from confusion to winning science-innovation awards, he shared insights with freshmen. He noted that university offers abundant choices, and growth lies in consistently learning more and taking extra steps. He encouraged fellow students with three pieces of advice: "exercise self-control, take action, and do not fear slow progress." He hoped everyone would regard military training as a starting point for tempering their minds and build momentum for progress through perseverance.
（Zhao Yuqian, a freshman majoring in Chinese Language and Literature at the School of Liberal Arts from the Class of 2026, speaks as the representative of incoming students）
Zhao Yuqian, a freshman majoring in Chinese Language and Literature at the School of Liberal Arts from the Class of 2026, delivered a speech on behalf of all incoming students. She expressed the excitement and heartfelt feelings of freshmen upon enrollment. She stated that military training represents dual tests for physical fitness and willpower, and all freshmen will engage in training with high spirits. In the days ahead, they will uphold the university motto "Self-reliance, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship," pursue knowledge diligently, shoulder their missions, and honor the youthful pledge of "I will contribute to a strong China."
（A representative of the military training instructors speaks）
A representative instructor from the military training support unit made a commitment speech. He hoped all participating freshmen would obey orders and instructions, strictly abide by military training regulations, fully demonstrate the fine demeanor of Wuhan University of Bioengineering students, and successfully complete all training tasks.
（University leaders pin school badges on freshmen）
A school badge-pinning ceremony was held during the assembly. University leaders pinned school badges on freshman representatives, formally inducting new students into the Wuhan University of Bioengineering community.
（Group photo of the flag presentation to the heads and political commissars of each military training regiment）
At the close of the assembly, Qiu Jianzhou, Vice President, presented military colors to the heads and political commissars of each military training regiment. As bright red flags were raised high, the military training program for the Class of 2026 officially commenced.
