As early autumn brings clear skies and fresh beginnings, dreams take flight. On August 30, Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) welcomed 8,142 energetic new graduate students of the 2026 cohort. Coming from around the world, they gathered in Xi’an with ambition and enthusiasm, ready to embark on a new journey at NPU.
Before dawn had fully broken, logistics staff and student volunteers were already waiting at Xi'an North Railway Station, Xi'an Railway Station, Xi'an East Railway Station, and other locations to welcome the new students. “Welcome! Let me show you where to catch the bus!”“Let me help you with your large luggage!” Warm smiles and caring greetings ensured that students arriving from afar could feel the warmth of NPU even before setting foot on campus.
Upon arriving at the University, shuttle buses travelled throughout the campus, while orientation volunteers stood ready to assist at various locations. Logistics staff and dormitory personnel worked tirelessly to answer students' questions, help them carry their luggage, and efficiently complete accommodation procedures. Through attentive and people-oriented services, they helped the new students settle into their new “home” at NPU.
At the registration sites, Party Secretaries, Deans, Counsellors, senior students, and staff members from various functional departments were already waiting to welcome the newcomers. From information verification and tuition payment to household registration procedures and the Green Channel, the one-stop registration process was efficient and convenient. Banners and messages of encouragement conveyed the distinctive warmth of the NPU community, giving the new students a strong sense of belonging.
Vice Presidents Wang Ling and Zhang Fuli visited the registration sites at the Youyi and Chang'an campuses respectively to inspect and guide the registration work for new graduate students. They also greeted students and parents who had travelled from afar and extended their regards to staff members and volunteers from various schools and functional departments working at the orientation sites.
At the photo booths, precious moments marking the beginning of a new journey were captured. On the signature walls, students wrote down their aspirations for the years of graduate study ahead. Amid laughter and cheerful conversations, they also received thoughtfully prepared welcome gifts.“Now, I am officially a proud member of NPU!”
Amid the lively atmosphere of the registration sites, let us get to know these young dream-chasers and hear their thoughts and expectations for the future.
Li Qingfeng, a master's student of the 2026 cohort from the School of Power and Energy , said:“Returning to the School of Power and Energy as a new graduate student, I am deeply aware that an engine is the ‘heart’ of an aircraft. In the years ahead, I will devote myself to the field of aerospace propulsion, remain grounded, and pursue my studies with dedication. As a member of the School, I will uphold NPU's motto of ‘Loyalty, Integrity, Courage, and Perseverance,’ taking steady steps toward my dream of becoming a chief engineer and sharpening my abilities to answer the call of ‘Aviation and marine exploration, with propulsion leading the way.’ I also hope to contribute my own modest efforts to NPU’s grand vision of becoming a leading engineering university and a world-class hub for the Aero-Space-Maritime cluster.
Liu Minghe, a master's student of the 2026 cohort from the School of Mathematics and Statistics and a native of Qingdao, Shandong Province, said:“The transition from undergraduate to graduate study brings both nervousness and, even more so, anticipation. I look forward to developing real capabilities at such a rigorous and dynamic university. Here, the culture of cultivating chief engineers is not just an idea—it is about taking real action. In the days ahead, I do not expect to achieve everything overnight. I simply hope to move a little closer each day to becoming someone who can solve real-world problems and contribute to China's aviation, aerospace, and marine industries.”
Yang Haonan, a master's student of the 2026 cohort from tUnmanned System Research Institute and a native of Tongliao, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, said:“This is already my fifth year at NPU. From undergraduate to master's study, and from the Chang'an Campus to the Youyi Campus, I have changed dormitories and dining halls, but whenever I pass the sculpture inscribed with ‘Forging Swords for the Nation,’ I still slow my steps for a moment. As an undergraduate student, scientific research once seemed far removed from me. Now that I have truly entered the field of unmanned systems, the first time I successfully ran the code and aligned the data in the laboratory, I suddenly realized that the words ‘forging swords’ are not merely displayed on a wall—they are brought to life through our own hands. Over the next three years, I will devote myself wholeheartedly to this work: daring to explore, daring to experiment, and daring to pursue excellence. I hope to dedicate my youth at the foot of the Qinling Mountains and become a worthy member of the NPU community.”
Today marks a new beginning, and the future is full of promise. May every new member of NPU pursue knowledge with focus, devote themselves to academic inquiry, remain grounded, and move forward with courage and perseverance. May they write new chapters in NPU's development through hard work and determination and shine brightly on their journey toward new horizons.
New graduate students of the 2026 cohort, welcome to NPU!
（Text: Wang Qing; Wang Leyu; Photos: Lu Di; Si Zhe; Zhou Junping; Mu Zheng; Reviewers: Wang Hui; Song Qiang; Translators: Li Yiwen, Mei Leyun)
