With the autumn light as a prelude, dreams set sail.On the afternoon of September 18, the opening ceremony for the 2025 freshmen of the Internet of Things Engineering College was held in the auditorium of Wenhao Building.The ceremony was attended by Zhang Hua, the Party Secretary of the college, Dean Luan Xiaoli, Deputy Party Secretary and Vice Dean Wu Yan, Vice Dean Tao Hongfeng, Director of the Automation Department Wu Dinghui, Director of the Electrical Engineering Department Shen Yanxia, Professor Qin Ningning from the Information Technology Department, alumni of the Internet of Things Engineering College, Chairman and General Manager of Wuxi Xinjie Electric Li Xin, as well as the head teachers and counselors of the 2025 undergraduate freshmen class, and all deputy class teachers. Freshmen from all over the country participated in the event. The ceremony was hosted by Wu Yan.
The ceremony opened solemnly with the national anthem.Zhang Hua extended a warm welcome to the 682 new students on behalf of all faculty and students, sharing three keywords: “solid foundation, cross-disciplinary integration, and responsibility” to encourage the freshmen.He pointed out that students in the new era of the Internet of Things should take root like bamboo, accumulating knowledge and experience, and continuously grow through knowledge and practice; they should bravely break the boundaries of disciplines and fields, actively explore and innovate in cutting-edge areas such as intelligent manufacturing, smart cities, and green energy; and they should use their love for their country as a guiding light, closely integrating personal ideals with national needs, writing a worthy answer sheet for their youth in the journey of building a strong manufacturing nation. He encouraged the freshmen to take exemplary figures like Liu Chengyuan, Duan Qinshi, and alumni Li Xin as role models, continuously honing their skills and nurturing their sentiments in future studies and practices, growing into capable and responsible individuals in the new era of the Internet of Things.
Zhang Hua’s Speech
Tao Hongfeng spoke as a representative of the head teachers for the new students.He encouraged the freshmen to cherish their university time and the quality educational resources, to actively seize opportunities, to not shy away from difficulties, and to dare to make mistakes in free exploration, facing challenges head-on. He particularly introduced the newly established “Excellence Innovation Class in Digital Intelligence Automation” at the college, encouraging students to seize the opportunities of the times with a spirit of “daring to be the first,” continuously honing their skills in learning and practice, and shouldering the mission and responsibility of the youth in the new era.
Tao Hongfeng spoke as a representative of the head teachers for the new students
Tao Xuefeng, a doctoral student in Control Science and Engineering from the 2022 class, spoke as a representative of the current students.He shared his ten years of academic growth and research experience at Jiangnan University. From undergraduate to doctoral stages, he has always adhered to his original intention, deeply cultivating in the field of control science, continuously breaking through in academic research, science and technology innovation competitions, and social practice, winning important awards multiple times, and publishing several high-level papers as the first author. He encouraged the freshmen to explore the unknown with an “empty cup mindset,” to hold onto their passions with a “rock-solid determination,” and to illuminate their journey with a “patriotic sentiment,” integrating personal ideals with national development needs, growing into engineers of the new era who understand technology, have sentiments, and are willing to take responsibility.
Tao Xuefeng spoke as a representative of the current students
During the representative speech segment,Master’s student representative Meng Feicalled on the freshmen to use their dreams as sails and perseverance as oars, integrating their youth into scientific research exploration and patriotic practice.
Master’s student representative Meng Fei’s speech
Undergraduate student representative Zhang Tianruiused philosophical reflections on “Dao” and “Shu” as a starting point, encouraging classmates to look up at the stars and pursue the great way, while also being down-to-earth and honing their skills.
Undergraduate student representative Zhang Tianrui’s speech
At the end of the ceremony,outstanding alumnus Li Xin shared a wonderful talk on the theme “Forge a profession with passion, lead the future with innovation”.He fondly recalled his journey from a Jiangnan University student to an entrepreneur, emphasizing that “passion” is the starting point of perseverance, “striving for first place” is the driving force for surpassing, and “a sound personality” is the cornerstone of achieving success. He shared his experiences and achievements in adhering to independent innovation in the field of industrial automation. He encouraged the freshmen to cherish their university time, build a solid professional foundation, be brave in striving and exploring, and continuously improve themselves under the guidance of patriotic sentiment, seizing the opportunities of the times.
Li Xin’s thematic sharing
The event also includedthe appointment of head teachers for the new students, appointment of assistant head teachers, and a ceremony for the new student representatives to wear the college emblem and receive admission gifts.This ceremony not only showcases the warmth and care conveyed by the college through the “Freshman Friends” platform—providing full support and companionship for freshmen through roles such as “grade mentors” and “class partners”—but also vividly reflects the college’s commitment to the “practical” spirit of “not only relying on authority, not only relying on books, but only relying on reality,” practicing a solid and pragmatic educational philosophy in inheritance.
This event is not only an important ceremony to welcome new students but also an educational opportunity to continue the original intention and pass on the mission. The ceremony gathered the earnest teachings of mentors, heartfelt sharing from peers, and exemplary guidance from alumni, highlighting the inheritance and continuation of the “practical” spirit. On this special day, September 18, the ceremony imparted profound insights to the youth, reminding them to learn from history and base their efforts on hard work. In the future, the 2025 students of the Internet of Things will surely uphold the college’s motto of “practicality,” shoulder the responsibilities and missions bestowed by the times, strive for excellence on the fertile ground of Jiangnan’s Internet of Things, and write a magnificent chapter belonging to the new era with the strength of youth.
Images |
New Media Studio
Text |
Liao Liping, Zhang Chaochen, Wei Chengjun, Zhou Xianyi
Editor | New Media Studio
Chief Editor | Zeng Lei
Review | Wu Yan
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