GIFT holds 2025 opening ceremony to welcome new students

The Global Institute of Future Technology, SJTU celebrated its 2025 opening ceremony for incoming new students on September 20, 2025 at the Tsung-Dao Lee Library Lecture Hall. Marking the beginning of the new academic year, the ceremony was attended by Dr. Gerald Yin, Chairman and CEO of Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment Inc. China (AMEC); Lifeng Xi, Executive Vice President of SJTU; Guang Ning, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, President of Ruijin Hospital affiliated with the School of Medicine of SJTU, Honorary Dean of GIFT; Huifang Zhou, Chairperson of Shanghai Children's Medical Center affiliated with the School of Medicine of SJTU; Jun Ni, Dean of GIFT; Jin Sun, Executive Dean; Tianshu Ge, chairperson of GIFT Council, faculty, staff and new students. Tianshu Ge presided over the ceremony.

In his welcoming address, Lifeng Xi extended warm greetings to the incoming class, encouraging them to keep a “heart of gratitude” toward their roots and to nurture a deep sense of national responsibility. He expressed the hope that students will aim high in science and technology, strive to become innovators defining and leading the future, and grow into talents enriched with scientific spirit, cultural literacy, and global vision.

Jun Ni introduced the institute's mission, development strategy, academic programs, faculty team, and research platforms, enabling new students to gain deep understanding of their prospects. He affirmed GIFT's commitment to provide students with top-tier learning and research opportunities, and wished them a journey of excellence and fulfillment.

Representing the donor, Dr. Gerald Yin presented honorary certificates to recipients of the “GIFT–AMEC Future Scholarship.” The scholarship, established in 2023 by AMEC, aims to reward outstanding students excelling in all-around development of moral character, intellectual achievement, physical fitness, aesthetic accomplishment, and labor skills.

Guang Ning and Jun Ni awarded admission certificates to students of the “Elite Talent Pilot Program” in the “MD+PhD” Dual Degree Program, and then presented appointment letters to class counselors Huifang Zhou and Weiliang Xia.

Faculty representative Ke Ma encouraged undergraduates to build strong foundations while exploring diverse fields, and urged graduate students to pursue scientific and technological progress and tackle fundamental challenges mankind faces with creativity.

Student representatives Yuyan Guan (Class of 2023), Wenxi Xiong (Class of 2025) and Sucan Zhang (2025 Doctoral Student) discoursed on their growth experience and impression of college life, encouraging newcomers to expand their knowledge boundaries, expedite identification of their academic interests, and integrate personal growth into the nation's needs to contribute to a better world.

In his closing remarks, Guang Ning reminded students to understand both “why we learn” and “how to learn.” He motivated them to cultivate perseverance and resilience, uphold the spirit of diligence, and be bold in trying and innovating to achieve success in the future.