On the morning of September 8, the opening ceremony for the Class of 2025 was held at the Qishan Campus athletic ground. In attendance were Council Chair Yu Rongmin, President Ren Jianhong, Party Secretary Zhang Lin, Vice Presidents Wu Lanjia and Huang Leijing, and Deputy Party Secretary Zhang Qiupin. The ceremony was presided over by Deputy Party Secretary Zhang Qiupin.
With the raising of the national flag and the solemn strains of the national anthem, the opening ceremony officially began.
In her address, President Ren Jianhong extended a warm welcome to the Class of 2025 and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the parents and teachers who had nurtured the students' growth.
She emphasized that Hwa Nan has always adhered to its educational philosophy of fostering the highest character in women and upheld the school motto of Self-improvement, Pioneering, Diligence, and Dedication. Over the past four decades, the college has cultivated more than 28,000 outstanding graduates for society. Today, this baton of mission and glory has been passed to the Class of 2025.Reflecting on the era, President Ren offered three key expectations to guide students on their future path, focusing on how to thrive amid the AI wave and fulfill their contemporary mission:
Firstly,embrace AI as a tool for empowerment.While AI is reshaping education and making knowledge more accessible, it should not replace critical thinking. She encouraged students to maintain curiosity, courage in questioning, and independent thinking, using technology as a compass to navigate the vast sea of knowledge.
Secondly,pursue truth through diligent scholarship.Taking inspiration from pioneering figures like Wang Shijing and Sa Benmao, she urged students to align personal growth with national rejuvenation. By sharing stories of accomplished alumni, she motivated students to cultivate expertise and let diligence define their youth.
Thirdly,act with responsibility and courage.She stressed that contemporary university students should embrace social responsibility and contribute to societal progress. Students were encouraged to start with small steps—such as participating in community service or social practices—to embody the spirit of Hwa Nan.
In closing, President Ren reiterated the school motto, urging students to let Self-improvement be their anchor in navigating challenges, Pioneering their drive to explore the unknown, Diligence their foundation in this era, and Dedication their commitment to giving back to society.
The ceremony was attended by all mid-level administrators, administrative staff, and the entire Class of 2025.