On July 23rd, the GIFT Summer Challenge Camp Openning Ceremony and the Welcome Ceremony for Graduate Students of the Joint Training Base were successfully held in Ningde. The event was attended by Zhou Weifeng, Secretary of the Ningde Municipal Committee of the Communist Youth League; Yu Miao, Deputy Director of the Ningde Municipal Education Bureau; Ni Jun, Chief Manufacturing Officer of CATL and Dean of GIFT; Jin Haizu, Director of the Advanced Battery R&D Department; Wang Ruizhe, Chief Human Resources Officer; Wang Xi, Director of the Internationalization Office of the Graduate School of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU); and Wang Chong, Deputy Secretary of the GIFT Party Committee.
The ceremony also welcomed representatives of GIFT’s undergraduate and master students, instructors from the Summer Challenge Camp, mentors from the CATL Joint Training Base, and recipients of the Fan Xuji Scholarship. Wang Jingchuan, Vice Dean of GIFT, hosted the event.
On behalf of GIFT, Ni Jun outlined the progress in its construction and its concept of talent cultivation. GIFT has closely studied trends in future science and technology development, explored breakthroughs in emerging strategic industries, and analyzed the qualities and needs of future leaders in science, technology, and industry. By integrating multidisciplinary strengths, GIFT has established two innovative majors: Sustainable Energy and Health Science and Technology. It has also built a system integrating industry and teaching to nurture talent while striving to cultivate leaders with strategic and international perspectives in science and technology.
GIFT remains dedicated to this mission by supporting undergraduate education through its “Five 100%” concept and enhancing graduate training through the establishment of joint training bases. Its ultimate goal is to evolve into a California Institute of Technology on the SJTU campus, serving as a hub of innovation that drives new productivity and contributes to economic and social progress.
Wang Ruizhe warmly welcomed the teachers and students of GIFT. He highly commended GIFT’s educational orientation and talent cultivation approach, particularly its commitment to “breaking the boundaries of learning, disciplines, and universities” while leveraging the complementary strengths of top universities and leading enterprises. He encouraged students to deeply understand the corporate culture and core values of CATL, cultivate self-discipline, connect with others, embrace challenges, innovate, and experience the pulse of technological innovation and the unique charm of Ningde under the guidance of corporate mentors and through hands-on practice.
Wang Chong introduced the development of the Summer Challenge Camp. This program brought together over 60 GIFT students, supported by professional instructors, administrative staff, graduate students serving as team mentors, and peer tutors. Prior to arriving in Ningde, the students had already completed three days of study and training in Shanghai, which included professional lectures and enterprise visits. Wang expressed his hope that during their time in Ningde, the students would deepen their practical experiences, engage in thoughtful exploration, and actively pursue knowledge. He encouraged them to enhance their abilities in learning, critical thinking, and practical applications, ultimately realizing meaningful growth and tangible results.
Zhou Weifeng, Yu Miao, Ni Jun, Jin Haizu, and other representatives from the university, industry, and the city launched the GIFT Summer Challenge Camp.
Wang Shengwei, CATL Senior Overseas Passenger Vehicle Solutions Manager, spoke as the representative of corporate mentors. He said that the corporate mentors will help the students with full enthusiasm and industrial rigor, driving them forward for breakthrough, and laying a solid foundation for career development.
Yu Chong, the representative of the students of the joint training base and a master student of GIFT class 2023, pledged that during the study and work in CATL, he would continue to keep full of enthusiasm, devote himself to innovation, and contribute his strength to the development of the new energy industry of the country.
Wang Xi highly affirmed GIFT's industry-educationintegration cultivation mode.She pointed out that the school-enterprise joint cultivation mode of GIFT is aligned with global trend, and can cultivate leading talents to meet the needs of the nation and the demands of the industry.She urged the students to hold a high standard for themselves, be brave to undertake challenges, to carry forward the truth-seeking spirit of SJTU, to help drive the technological breakthroughs and innovations, and finally to leave a memorable experiences their study and work.
During their stay in Ningde, students of the Summer Challenge Camp will be divided into 3 sub-teams and 10 groups, which will go to Fuan City, Gutian County and Xiapu County to carry out in-depth practical investigation and research for 5 days. They will carry out surveys such as school-city co-operation, industrial development, rural revitalization, and cultural inheritance. Their written summary report are expected to contribute to Ningde's urban management and enterprise developmen.
