On 30 August, the opening ceremony and orientation for Chinese and international students of the 2026 autumn semester at the College of International Cultural Exchange were held at the university’s Arts Centre.
Leaders of the Party and administration of the College of International Cultural Exchange, including Dong Jing, Yang Hong, and Cai Rong, together with heads of relevant departments, faculty and staff members, and over 700 Chinese and international students from around the world gathered to witness this important occasion.
The ceremony was presided over by Rong Jun, Vice Dean of the College of International Cultural Exchange.
The ceremony officially commenced with a song performance by six international students from South Africa, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
College Aspirations · Setting Sail Together
Dean Dong Jing, on behalf of the college, extended a warm welcome to the international and Chinese students coming from all over the world. She introduced Shanghai University of Finance and Economics’ century-long academic heritage and its rich and diverse campus culture, and encouraged the new students to actively meet the various challenges during the process of cross-cultural adaptation. She noted that in light of the development trends of the digital-intelligent economy era, the university continues to deepen strategic cooperation with leading domestic and international enterprises, striving to build a high-level practical education platform to help students explore diligently and achieve all-round growth through cultural immersion and hands-on experience. Finally, she sincerely wished all new students academic success and a smooth life in this new phase of study and life.
Teachers’ Advice · Encouraging Learning and Diligence
Associate Professor Dong Wenjuan, a teacher representative, addressed the new students. She stated that the Chinese language is the key to understanding Chinese civilisation, and encouraged the students to be brave, positive, and hardworking. She urged them to step out of the classroom and experience the local customs and culture of Shanghai. Finally, quoting the phrase 'The road ahead is long and has no ending; I will search high and low', she encouraged the students to persevere in their pursuit of knowledge, and wished them academic achievements and valuable friendships.
From Five Continents · Discussing the Future Together
Melnikov Ivan (Ivan), a 2013 Master of Sociology alumnus, founder of Shanghai Biz Consulting, and from Russia, delivered a speech as an alumni representative. He encouraged the new students to actively integrate into the campus and Chinese society, and to engage with Chinese students through participating in a wide range of club activities. He urged the new students to cherish the opportunity to study at SUFE and their time on campus to achieve all-round growth.
Wei Peiyi, an undergraduate student from Malaysia and a representative of current international students, shared her thoughts, stating that university studies require both in-depth professional knowledge and hands-on practice. She hoped that new students from around the world would respect cultural differences, actively integrate into the campus, participate in various practical activities to broaden their international perspectives, cherish their precious time of study, study diligently and strive for progress, and achieve growth and shine in the diverse and inclusive SUFE community.
Cai Ruiyin, a representative of current Chinese postgraduate students, shared her insights based on her own postgraduate study experience. She encouraged Chinese and international new students to face language and cultural differences squarely, make good use of the university’s diverse development platforms, stay true to their original aspiration for learning, learn from each other, delve into their studies, pursue their dreams on campus, and live up to their youth.
Andrés Velasco (浩然), a freshman representative from Mexico, stated that as newcomers, students should dare to step out of their comfort zones, actively seek and create opportunities for development, and rely on self-discipline and perseverance to refine themselves. Quoting the Chinese idiom 'dripping water penetrates stone' (滴水穿石), he encouraged all students present to uphold patience and persistence, and to continually achieve personal breakthroughs.
Lu Li, a freshman representative from China, shared her personal academic journey of transitioning from the workplace to postgraduate studies. She encouraged her fellow students to properly view the confusion and setbacks encountered along the path of growth, and to be adept at transforming challenges into new starting points for development. She looked forward to working closely with her peers to deepen their expertise and move forward together.
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SUFE | ICES
Thoughtful Academic Guidance · Helping You Set Sail
To help international students better adapt to study and life in China, the College specially invited police officers from the Shanghai Entry-Exit Administration Corps to deliver a special lecture on Chinese law. The officers provided detailed explanations on matters international students should pay attention to during their time in China, based on practical experience, and engaged in interactive exchanges with the students.
Subsequently, Ms. Wang Xin from the Student Affairs Office offered guidance on life in China to help new students become familiar with the learning and living environment. Project leaders and relevant faculty members introduced academic courses according to different student categories.
Amid warm applause, the opening ceremony came to a successful conclusion, marking the beginning of a brand-new academic journey. May all faculty and students work together with one heart, write ideals with youth, pursue aspirations through hard work, and jointly compose a new chapter of exchange, mutual learning, dreaming, growing, and embarking on fresh journeys among young people from China and abroad.
