On the morning of September 4, Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) held the opening ceremony for its 2026 cohort of international students at the Nanshan Art Center on the Chang'an Campus. Faculty and staff members from the International College, Zhang Chan, Associate Professor at the School of Life Science and Technology, and all international students in the 2026 cohort attended the ceremony. The event was hosted by Du Xiaojuan, counsellor for master's and doctoral students in the 2026 cohort.
At the start of the ceremony, Zhai Wen from the Admission Office for International Students presented an overview of international student admissions for 2026. Students from more than 50 countries have come to NPU to pursue their studies. Their broad geographic representation and diverse backgrounds reflect NPU's steadily expanding global influence and its growing capacity to attract outstanding students from around the world.
Senior student representatives Li Wenxuan (MUHAMMAD RIZWAN FAYYAZ BHUTTA) from Pakistan and Xiaoyin (ALNURA SAILAUKHANKYZY) from Kazakhstan took the stage to share their own stories of studying at NPU. Drawing on their experiences of everyday campus life, academic study and cross-cultural interaction, they offered practical advice to the new students from a range of perspectives. They encouraged them to take an active part in campus activities, make friends with peers from around the world, face the challenges of personal growth with courage, and use their time at NPU to grow, build lasting friendships and create cherished memories of their own.
The freshman student representatives also spoke with enthusiasm about the campus life ahead. Chen Wanzhen (HARIANTO GISELLE CALISTA), a new undergraduate student from Indonesia, spoke with anticipation about studying abroad and living far from home for the first time. She said she would cherish her time at NPU, devote herself to her studies and actively engage in campus life. Meng Shan (ALI MANSAB), a new doctoral student from Pakistan, said he would approach this new stage with diligence and perseverance and looked forward to achieving new growth along the way.
Speaking on behalf of the counsellors, Mei Rundong shared with the new students the traditional Chinese saying, "Do not refrain from doing a good deed because it is small, and do not commit a bad deed because it is small." From the perspective of student development, she encouraged them to begin their new life on campus with energy and purpose, treat others with kindness, live in harmony with one another, and make the most of their valuable university years. She also urged them to put what they learn into practice, persevere in their efforts and continue to grow throughout their studies at NPU, writing a meaningful chapter of their youth.
Faculty representative Zhang Chan extended a warm welcome to the international students who had travelled from afar to study at NPU. Noting that many were away from their hometowns for the first time or visiting China for the first time, she encouraged them to remain open-minded and inclusive and to take the initiative in adapting to a cross-cultural environment. She also urged them to remain intellectually curious, study diligently, think critically and stay grounded, while making full use of campus resources and completing their academic work with dedication. She expressed the hope that the students would achieve success at NPU and go on to make meaningful contributions in their chosen fields.
Associate Dean Li Ziwei warmly welcomed all the new students. He shared the traditional Chinese story behind the idiom wen ji qi wu, which tells of rising at the crow of the rooster to practice swordsmanship, as an illustration of diligence, discipline and determination. He encouraged the students to study hard and put their learning into practice. He expressed the hope that they would embrace artificial intelligence and strive to become innovators and leaders in the AI era; embrace China and Chinese culture and become witnesses to and storytellers of China's development; and embrace change, continuing to learn and grow through it while meeting every challenge with initiative.
Finally, Li encouraged the new students to always keep NPU's motto, "Loyalty, Integrity, Courage and Perseverance," firmly in mind; remain committed to what they study and love; pursue their aspirations with courage; push beyond their own limits; and write a distinctive chapter of their youth along their academic journey.
The opening ceremony concluded with university leaders, guests, faculty representatives and the 2026 international students singing the NPU anthem together.
May the 2026 cohort embrace diversity with open minds and devote themselves to their studies with dedication and perseverance. May they broaden their horizons through exchange and mutual learning and grow through inquiry and exploration. Their academic journey has only just begun. These young students from around the world will take root in NPU's fertile ground for cultivating outstanding international talent, embark on a new journey in pursuit of their dreams, and chart their own flight paths at NPU as they soar toward the future.
(Copywriter: Zhang Chengjia
Editor: Gao Xiaoqian
First Reviewer: Du Xiaojuan
Second Reviewer: Zhang Xi
Final Reviewer: Li Ziwei
Source: International College
Translators: Yang Runze; Mei Leyun)
