The welcome ceremony for 2016 freshmen was held in the hall of the library on Xiang’an campus in the morning of October 9. Dean Prof. Zheng Tongtao, Deputy Deans Ms. Huang Guanhua and Ms. Fu Wanli, Deputy Secretary of the college Mr. Wu Weiping, office director Ms. Huang Chen, all faculty members, and over 500 freshmen attended.

    The opening ceremony

The ceremony started with the national song, followed by the welcome speech delivered by Dean Prof. Zheng. After greeting the freshmen, he introduced the college’s history, its teachers and graduates. He said that the International College of Xiamen University is the leading force in terms of hardware and software conditions. Over the past 11 years, the college has fostered a large number of outstanding graduates. For example, among two years’ graduates in the Dublin project, the ratio of those who have successfully applied for the best 100 universities in the world raises from over 70% to 93%. Some top universities admitted 15 students from our college at one time, such as Australian National University and Melbourne University. Through the platform of our college, some students have successfully applied for an opportunity to study at Oxford University, while some got IELTS 8.5, 8, and more at 7.5 and 7. We even have 25-year-old young PhD. He then wished that the new students will cherish this opportunity to study at XMU and take our college’s outstanding graduates as good examples and that in turn, the new students will also become useful talents with international education backgrounds.

Dean Prof. Zheng Tongtao

Dr. Luo Yuanxiang from the English teaching and researching group then gave a speech. He offered advice to the freshmen and hoped that they plan for their university life. He also encouraged them to read more and participate in after-class activities. “Healthy habits are essential”, he added in the end.

Dr. Luo gave a speech

Freshman representatives Wang Xiangzheng from the foundation to master program and Li Zequn from the Dublin program also stepped onto the stage. They expressed their longings for upcoming university life.

Mr. Wang Xiangzheng

Mr. Li Zequn

Sophomore Miss Xu Zili shared her feelings and experience on campus life in fluent English. “Uni life is colourful, free and open,” she said, “It’s an opportunity for us to develop and show what we can do.” She urged the students to blend in with the new environment and pursue their dreams.

Miss Xu Zili

Following the speeches, the ceremony commended students who had won scholarships and perfect/high attendance awards while also acknowledging the outstanding achievements of instructors and students.

Awarded students

Teachers from English teaching and researching group

At the conclusion of the ceremony, faculty from the college introduced themselves to the students and then concluded with the university anthem. It is hoped that this event represented the spirit of the college and inspired its students for upcoming challenges in the new semester.