Tsinghua University held an opening convocation to welcome its incoming undergraduates on August 20. Over 4,000 undergraduates embarked on a new journey at Tsinghua in 2026.
Leaders of the University attended the ceremony, including Qiu Yong, Li Luming, Xiang Botao, Zeng Rong, Guo Yong, Zhao Gang, Xu Qinghong, Wang Hongwei, Bai Benfeng, Wu Huaqiang, Li Zhihua, and Wang Yayu. Tsinghua Vice President and Provost Peng Gang presided over the opening convocation.
The main venue of the opening convocation
Qiu Yong (right) pins a Tsinghua badge for a new student representative.
Qiu Yong, secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, pinned a Tsinghua badge for the undergraduate student representative.
Li Luming delivers a speech.
Tsinghua University President Li Luming delivered a speech titled “Pursuing a Lifelong Passion and Making the Most of the Years of Youth” at the opening convocation, extending a welcome to the new students on behalf of the University’s faculty, students, and staff.
Li said that this year marks the 90th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army’s Long March. Learning from this history and carrying forward the spirit of the Long March would greatly benefit students as they embark on a new journey and face new challenges. He emphasized that helping students discover their lifelong passions, move forward through challenges, and ultimately achieve more meaningful lives represents an important value of university education. Li expressed his hope that students would explore their passions at Tsinghua and find the beacon that guides their lives; withstand challenges and trials and remain steadfast in their passions; elevate their passions and create greater value; live up to the great trust entrusted to them by the times and make the most of their youth; walk the Long March of the new era with resolve; and contribute their wisdom and strength to achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.
Hu Shimin delivers a speech.
Hu Shimin, an academician and professor in the Department of Computer Science and Technology, delivered a speech on behalf of the University’s faculty. He encouraged students to actively embrace the era of artificial intelligence and possess unique ideas, elevated taste, critical thinking, and a spirit of pursuing perfection, so that they can better navigate the transition from high school to university and the changes in higher education in the age of artificial intelligence.
Miao Shuo speaks at the opening convocation.
Miao Shuo, president of the Student Union, delivered a speech on behalf of the entire student body. He shared his reflections and insights from his undergraduate years, hoping that younger students would seek certainty amid uncertainty and transform the confidence gained through growth, the strength of moving forward together, and their commitment to the nation into a steadfast answer to growing into capable individuals and serving the country.
Han Huicheng speaks at the opening convocation.
Han Huicheng from Ziqiang College, a representative of the incoming undergraduate class, spoke at the convocation. He shared his personal journey of striving for his aspirations and working hard to realize his dream of studying at Tsinghua. Looking ahead, he hopes to sink his roots deep into the soil of his country, drawing inexhaustible strength from the land; grow upward alongside his fellow travelers, shoulder to shoulder, and embrace his responsibilities on the journey toward national rejuvenation.
Freshmen attending the opening convocation
Tsinghua University held the opening convocation in a hybrid online and offline format. Besides the main venue at the University Gymnasium, three venues were set up across campus for freshmen’s families and friends. The event was also live-streamed on the "Rain Classroom" platform.
Editors: Li Han, John Paul Grima
