As the dog days of summer pass and autumn brings its refreshing breeze, dreams set sail by the shores of Qizhen Lake.
To assist the Class of 2024 in adapting to university life more swiftly, gaining a deeper understanding of the history and context of NPU, reinforcing awareness of safety precautions, and planning their academic pathways early, QMES conducted a series of orientation activities for all new students.
Freshmen Academic Guidance Conference
On the morning of September 2nd, Wang Yongxin, Vice Dean of QMES, provided an in-depth interpretation of QMES’s training programme, covering aspects such as educational objectives, graduation requirements, programme introductions, and course module arrangements. He encouraged students to develop their professional technical skills while enhancing their communication abilities and other cultural and social literacy aspects. Yang Yufei, Director of the Education and Teaching Centre, and Liu Kejia, Teaching Secretary, introduced the distinctive features of the QMES’s courses, as well as important stages and considerations throughout the entire training process, including registration, course selection, grade management, and changes in student status. Qi Yue, QMUL Education Manager, outlined the organisational structure and members of the UK teaching office, providing detailed explanations regarding the course selection process within the QMES’s teaching system, the leave of absence policy, information dissemination, and exam arrangements.
After the meeting, students expressed their commitment to remembering their sense of responsibility, cultivating a positive attitude, and maintaining good physical health. They aspire to become “Chief Engineer-type” talents who are modest and pragmatic, open-minded and inclusive, well-prepared yet humble and dedicated to contributing to the nation’s development.
Lecture on Psychological Adaptation and Safety Awareness
On the afternoon of September 2nd, Guo Heyang from the Psychological Health Education Centre of the Student Work Department was invited to deliver a lecture on psychological adaptation for new students. She illustrated the opportunities and challenges of university life through clear and relatable real-life examples, reminding students to remain attentive to their mental health in their interpersonal relationships and academic pursuits. She emphasised the importance of cultivating a healthy mindset and striving for holistic development as they embark on this new stage of their university journey. Guo Heyang then introduced the university's psychological assessment system for new students. She outlined the process from the initial promotional activities to the completion of assessment scales, followed by interviews focused on adapting to campus life, which are integrated throughout the semester. Lastly, she vividly explained strategies for psychological adjustment using engaging anecdotes. Students were encouraged to actively address challenges through catharsis, redirection, and sublimation. Guo Heyang urged everyone to seek assistance and support from friends and professionals when facing difficulties.
To further safeguard the personal and property safety of students, as well as to enhance their ability to identify and prevent scams, QMES invited Zhang Dapeng from the Security Department and Lv Xin, from the Xi’an City Public Security Bureau Beilin Branch, to conduct a lecture on safety awareness. Zhang Dapeng shared practical methods based on his experience in the Security Department, covering topics such as cultivating security awareness, public safety, prevention of cyber and telecommunications fraud, and fire escape strategies. Lv Xin provided a systematic overview of the various methods and types of online scams, along with corresponding preventive measures. Through real-life case studies, they highlighted recent prevalent fraudulent practices, effectively raising students' awareness and enhancing their skills in identifying and countering scams.
Silver-haired Speakers’ Report Conference of the Committee for the Care of Future Generations
On September 3rd, to assist the 2024 intake of freshmen in exploring the developmental history of NPU and QMES, and to appreciate the spirit of “Chief Engineer Educational Culture,” QMES invited Professors Li Enpu and Li Huaxing, silver-haired speakers from the Committee for the Care of Future Generations, to conduct a series of themed lectures.
Stepping into the centennial corridor of NPU’s history, Li Enpu guided the students through the founding history of the “Three Branches of Roots” using his extensive historical knowledge and personal experiences. He encouraged them to immerse themselves in the NPU’s ethos of “Solid Foundations, Pragmatic Work, Simple Style, and Innovative Spirit” and to embody the motto of “Dedication, Honesty, Courage, and Resolve”. He urged the students not to squander their time and to take the exemplary achievements of distinguished alumni as a model, inheriting and promoting the philosophy of “Chief Engineer Educational Culture” to contribute their youthful energy to the development of the Party and the nation.
Li Huaxing led the freshmen in a review of the historical context and development narrative of QMES’s establishment, providing them with a deeper understanding of NPU’s commitment to fostering innovative talent through internationalised education. He encouraged the students to cherish this invaluable platform for Chinese-foreign cooperative education, to consciously shoulder the missions of the era, and to strive forward relentlessly, aspiring to become versatile and innovative talents with an international perspective.
Freshman Assembly for the Class of 2024
On the morning of September 4th, the freshman assembly for the Class of 2024 was successfully held at the Chang’an campus.
Counselor Ge Qu encouraged all new students to focus on their health development across three dimensions: physical, mental, and ideological, while actively exercising their initiative. Li Qi, the Director of the Student International Development Centre, introduced the history and responsibilities of the centre, advising students to establish their goals early, build a strong foundation in both soft and hard skills, and strive to be “globally competent”.
Gao Bei, Party Affairs Secretary, provided guidance on the basic situation of the QMES’s party organisation, the process for developing party members, and the conditions for membership. Huang Quanzhang, the student counsellor and organiser, emphasised that new students should sincerely love the Party and remain loyal to it. He noted that being a party member is not only an honour but also a responsibility, a commitment, and a firm belief.
Yang Fenping, the Student Affairs Supervisor, introduced the work of the Communist Youth League. She pointed out that students should embody the spirit of dedication, friendship, mutual assistance, and progress in their various practical activities. She hopes that students will strengthen their ideals and beliefs while cultivating a deep sense of patriotism through practice.
Finally, Cheng Yin, the Deputy Secretary of the QMES Party Committee, summarised the assembly. She urged students to firmly embrace a spirit of courage and initiative, expressing her anticipation for them to showcase their talents on the excellent platform provided by QMES, striving to achieve outstanding results in their youth endeavours.
Ideological and Political Education First Lesson by the Party Secretary
On September 5th, Dai Fuping, Secretary of the QMES Party Committee, delivered a guidance session for new students under the theme “Rooted in QMES, Looking to the World: Becoming Outstanding Youth in the New Era”, focusing on planning their four years of university study and career development.
Dai Fuping presented historical enrolment data, emphasising the importance of individual effort in a competitive environment. He encouraged students to make clear plans and to have a well-defined understanding of their future development, urging them to engage in diligent study and reflection while enhancing their self-management skills. He introduced practical models such as the dual aspects of university life (A/B sides) and the “Career Nine-Grid Action Plan”, which not only helped students improve their awareness of academic and career planning but also highlighted QMES’s commitment to cultivating exceptional and innovative talents.
The series of orientation activities for new students is designed to help them understand their chosen fields of study, clarify their learning objectives, and gradually develop a comprehensive awareness of self-planning. The students expressed their enthusiasm and anticipation for university life, stating that they would use their valuable experiences as a sail and solid knowledge as a rudder, navigating through the ocean of opportunities and challenges as they pursue their dreams.
(Text: Ge Qu, Ma Xiaoxuan, He Mingyang, Xue Jiaying, Cao Wenjing, Xu Rui, Ma Yinuo, Qi Xiangyu, Ban Ruiyang;
Photo: Wen Shiya, Chen Xinyan, Li Ruocheng, Xue Haoda, Zou Taojun;
Edit: Han Huichun;
Translate: Shen Xinyi;
Review: Cheng Yin)
