On the morning of September 3, HNU held an opening ceremony on the sports field of its south campus to welcome the new students.

During the ceremony, President Duan Xianzhong delivered an inspiring message to the freshmen, encouraging them to "embrace university learning in the AI era."

HNU leaders Deng Wei, Duan Xianzhong, Liao Jizhong, Jiang Jianhui, Wang Weibin, Sun Wei, Li Kenli, Tang Zhenming, and Jiang Chao attended the ceremony. Also present at the ceremony were Xu Helian, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC HNU Committee and assistant to the president, Li Jiuxue, member of the Standing Committee of the CPC HNU Committee, and Tao Lijian, liaison official for Party building in the subordinate universities of the Ministry of Education and former executive deputy secretary of the Party committee of Central South University. Sun Wei, deputy Party secretary of HNU, presided over the ceremony.

On behalf of the university, President Duan welcomed the 12,670 new students who are expected to inject fresh vitality into HNU's mission of building a world-class university with Chinese characteristics and profound historic and cultural heritage.

President Duan noted that HNU is now advancing its goal of becoming a world-class university by 2030, with a strong focus on nurturing top-tier innovative talents. He urged students to embrace the profound opportunities and challenges brought by the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence, emphasizing that AI should be leveraged as a powerful tool for learning and research, while developing their capacities for raising questions, critical thinking, interdisciplinary learning, and tackling complex problems must remain a top priority in their academic development. At the same time, he cautioned against over-reliance on algorithms and the pitfalls of information cocoons, stressing the importance of self-discipline, time management, and a broad vision. He called on students to stay committed to national development, embrace interdisciplinary exploration, and dare to venture into frontier fields. He concluded by urging them to seize the moment, strive for excellence, and contribute their youthful energy and talent to the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Huang Yong, dean of School of Mathematics, delivered a speech as a faculty representative.

Qin Fanzhi, a third-year doctoral student from College of Environmental Science & Engineering, spoke as a senior student representative.

Zheng Jiaqi, an undergraduate freshman from School of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, addressed the ceremony as a representative of new undergraduate students.

Cai Delin, a new master's student from Law School, spoke as a representative of new graduate students.

A badge-pinning ceremony was held during the event. University leaders pinned the HNU badges on the new student representatives, symbolizing their official entry into the university and the start of their new academic journey at the foot of Yuelu Mountain.

Also present at the ceremony were representatives of faculty, head teachers, and counselors, as well as heads of relevant departments, deans of colleges, and persons in charge of student affairs.

The opening ceremony.

The badge-pinning ceremony.

President Duan delivers a speech.

Sun Wei presides over the ceremony.

Huang Yong, dean of School of Mathematics, delivers a speech as a faculty representative.

Qin Fanzhi, a third-year doctoral student from College of Environmental Science & Engineering, speaks as a senior student representative.

Zheng Jiaqi, an undergraduate freshman from School of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, addresses the ceremony as a representative of new undergraduate students.

Cai Delin, a new master's student from Law School, speaks as a representative of new graduate students.