GIFT Holds Opening Ceremony for 2026-entry Students
On September 19, 2026, the Global Institute of Future Technology (GIFT) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) celebrated its 2026 Opening Ceremony for incoming students in Auditorium 100, Chan Sui Kau Hall. Attendees included Jun Ni, Dean of GIFT; Tianshu Ge, Chairperson of the GIFT Council; Sun Jin, Executive Dean; Jingchuan Wang, Weiliang Xia and Hua Bao, Associate Deans; faculty and staff representatives and first-year students enrolled in 2026. Haibo Han, Deputy Chairperson of the GIFT Council, presided over the ceremony.
In his keynote speech, Dean Jun Ni presented an overview of GIFT titled “Leading Future Engineering Education.” He reviewed the institute's development, including educational vision, construction progress, and platform support. He noted that after years of effort, GIFT has established a comprehensive system for faculty development, talent cultivation, research platform development and international cooperative education. A number of landmark achievements have emerged, and GIFT's new building will be put into operation next year. He encouraged the freshmen to cross disciplinary boundaries and grow into sci-tech pioneers through interdisciplinary integration.
Prof. Tianze Wu, head teacher of the 2026 undergraduate Energy Class, shared his insights into interdisciplinary research and encouraged students to take advantage of GIFT's academic strength, stay open-minded, build their capacities by exploring the unknown, and enjoy a fulfilling and meaningful university experience.
Liying Liu, a 2023 undergraduate majoring in Sustainable Energy, shared her three-year academic journey through three keywords: think broadly, explore deeply and create jointly.
Yue Yu, a 2026 freshman representative, shared her motivation for the upcoming academic journey and her aspirations for college life in three words: growth, companionship and responsibility.
Haobo Bai, a 2026 doctoral student representative, reviewed his experience from laboratory research to industry practice and acknowledged GIFT's interdisciplinary training path. He noted that he would continue to remain curious, pursue excellence, and serve the nation with substantial research outcomes.
Professor Jingchuan Wang and Weiliang Xia presented certificates to the second intake of students admitted to the Elite Talent Pilot Program (MD+PhD Program).
Executive Dean Prof. Sun Jin presented letters of appointment to head teachers of the Class of 2026. Chairperson Prof. Tianshu Ge presented letters of appointment to Kang Chen and Minqiang Wang, head teachers of the second cohort of the MD+PhD Program.
After the ceremony, Professor Tianshu Ge delivered the inaugural lecture of the new semester to all freshmen, titled “Why SJTU, Why GIFT, and What Should Youth Do?” She reviewed SJTU's 130-year history and spiritual heritage, explained the meaning of Chinese name “Puyuan” and highlighted GIFT's reform efforts. She encouraged freshmen to integrate personal ambitions into national development, setting an inspiring tone for the new academic year.
