Shanghai Jiao Tong University Global College (SJTUGC, abbreviated as GC) held its 2025 New Student Welcome Ceremony at Jing Jing Auditorium of the SJTU Minhang Campus on the evening of September 14.
This year, GC has enrolled a record-setting total of 488 degree-seeking students, including 326 domestic undergraduate students, 63 international undergraduate students, 88 domestic graduate students, and 11 international graduate students. In addition, 78 international exchange students from partner universities worldwide have joined the college this fall.
In his address, Dean Hesheng Wang extended a warm welcome to the new students, marking the largest and most globally diverse incoming class in the GC history. “From today onward, you are part of a story that is making history — one defined by innovation, collaboration, and mutual growth,” said Wang.
Since its establishment, GC has produced more than 4,600 graduates, active in fields such as artificial intelligence, sustainable development, finance, and social innovation, said the dean who advised students to remain curious, embrace collaboration and innovation, and commit to lifelong learning. “I encourage you to embrace your new role as GC students, strive for excellence, and push the boundaries of what you believe is possible.”
Class of 2010 alumnus Yangbing Lou, Chief Data Scientist and Co-President of Hangzhou AnmaiSheng Intelligent Technology Co., Ltd., shared his experiences and insights with the new students. Drawing on examples from Founding Dean Jun Ni, Professor Jason Daida, and himself, he highlighted five keywords for success: Dedication, Resilience, Exploration, Ambition, and Mindfulness—together forming the acronym DREAM. He encouraged the new students to weave their own dreams during their university years, keep their aspirations alive, and work toward their goals with persistence.
Yishan Hou, a sophomore student and member of the Student Union Presidium, shared reflections from her first year at the college. “GC is not just an institute. It is a family-like community where every question, every idea, every dream can find support,” said Hou who also encouraged the new students to maintain an open and exploratory mindset, participate actively in student organizations and activities, and embrace the many possibilities of university life.
Freshman representative Senyu Zheng spoke on behalf of the 2025 undergraduate cohort. He shared his initial impressions of the SJTU campus, noting that the open and international environment of GC provides a broad platform for development and a rich variety of student organizations. He urged his fellow students to maintain the “courage of beginners,” try new things, and fully immerse themselves in university life of the following years.
Doctoral student Tianyin Zhu, speaking for the 2025 graduate cohort, shared his motivation for pursuing doctoral studies at SJTU after completing a master’s degree at Fudan University. “What drew me to GC is its unique blend of academic rigor and global vision. From cutting-edge laboratories to international collaborations, GC offers a wealth of opportunities and the ideal environment to turn theoretical knowledge into practical solutions. With GC’s abundant resources and opportunities, we are empowered to uncover our potential and fulfill our academic goals,” he said.
International student representative Kirill Laushkin from Russia expressed his excitement about studying overseas on the SJTU campus. Passionate about engineering and programming since middle school, and deeply interested in languages such as English and Chinese, he found that GC brought together all his interests. The Russian freshman wished the new students “an interesting journey in the coming years, filled with curiosity, passion and discovery”. “I look forward to forming friendships with people from around the world, learning from diverse perspectives, and growing together as part of this global family,” he added.
Before the formal ceremony, the new students set the stage with a variety of artistic performances, creating a festive atmosphere and offering the audience a vibrant cultural show.
