The Opening Ceremony of GTIIT of the year 2019 was successfully held yesterday. The speech given by Chancellor Li was inspiring! He pointed out that 'unconventional' and 'creative' are indispensable qualities for them to keep up with the time. "Four years might be a short period of time, but may reshape the taste and quality of your life." He encouraged students to participate in social practice actively while devoting to academic studies, improve comprehensive qualities, develop humanity care, and cultivate a kind and loving heart.

Dear students, guests, parents, and colleagues,

Today we gather here in the summer heat of Shantou, and everyone is thrilled with joy and excitement. Here, on behalf of the faculty and staff of Guangdong Technion Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT), I would like to express my warmest congratulations to all of you and I wish you all the best in your future studies!

I feel both very excited and a bit envious every year at the opening ceremony. It was exactly 50 years ago that our generation lost the opportunity for further studies, and had to spend the youthful days to work in the countryside, mountainous and border areas of China. In those days when the future was blurred, some were confused, and depressed; some, however, fought in adversity, built up their willpower, and enriched the mind through self study. It is those who refused to give up that finally overcame the hardships and re-entered universities after many years. With the tailwind brought by forty years of reform and opening up, they made great contributions in all walks of life, some become the backbone of China's leadership today.

Dear students, you are truly a blessed generation. You were born in the new century, the best and unprecedented period in China for thousands of years. You made a wise decision to join GTIIT, a new and wonderful life is awaiting.

You must have heard a lot about GTIIT and done some research before applying for it, but even words fail to do it justice. Now you have already visited our modern and beautiful campus, and I believe you will also be impressed by our world-class faculty starting from the pre-semester. Our exceptional faculty members come from 17 countries around the world, each one of them has obtained doctoral degrees from top universities, and has years of experience in teaching and research overseas. The advanced teaching concepts and research methods brought by them can broaden your horizons, and greatly enhance the level of our school.

GTIIT is the youngest university listed in the Guangdong High Level University Development Program. Currently four disciplines are listed as key disciplines in constructing high-level universities in Guangdong Province. GTIIT has also been designated as the supporting unit for constructing the provincial laboratory of chemistry and fine chemical engineering, which has further established the important academic position of GTIIT in Guangdong and the country.

Now GTIIT has joined the international student exchange platform of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, so dear students, you will enjoy opportunities to study in 26 world-class science and engineering universities in the United States, Germany, Canada and other countries and regions. Of course, the exchange opportunity requires outstanding academic performance, and you need to work really hard to get it.

I would highly recommend you to visit the teaching and research laboratories that are praised by our foreign professors as "world-class". We have the "world's most advanced and safest" teaching and research equipment, adequate resources, and strong teaching and research teams to ensures that you could enjoy first-class condition for scientific experiments.

Dear students, now you have embarked on a new journey in your life. Being away from the care and supervision of your family, you get some freedom, but please note that self-discipline becomes extremely important in university life. I hope that you will do a good job in managing your studies, your time, your emotion, your image and goal.

In his speech to the students at the Harvard Commencement, Nobel laureate Steven Chu said, "As you begin this new stage of your lives, follow your passion. If you don't have a passion, don't be satisfied until you find one. Life is too short to go through it without caring deeply about something. When I was your age, I was incredibly single-minded in my goal to be a physicist." The first task for you is to adapt to the English teaching environment as soon as possible, and deeply immerse yourself in your passion.

We are in a world undergoing changes unseen in a century. Science and technology advances with each passing day. Higher education is not just about instilling textbook knowledge, but more importantly, to focus on cultivating free and innovative thinking, bold questioning, and lifelong learning abilities. Being "unconventional" and "creative" are indispensable qualities for you to keep up with the time. Four years might be a short period of time, but may reshape the taste and quality of your life.

My dear students, while devoting yourself to academic studies, I hope that you will establish social responsibilities, to participate in social practice actively, improve your comprehensive qualities, develop humanity care, and cultivate a kind and loving heart which is both a philosophy of life and a great wisdom.

I want to take this opportunity to thank the Central Government, Guangdong Province, Shantou Municipality, Technion and Shantou University for the strong support; our sincere gratitude also goes to Mr. Li Ka-shing for his generous donation and outstanding contributions; to our warmhearted parents and people from all walks of life who care about and support GTIIT; and big thanks to all the teaching, research and administrative staff of GTIIT. The achievements would not be made without the care and joint efforts of every one.

Dear students, GTIIT is at the stage for rapid and high quality development. May you seize the opportunity to stand out and fly your dream, may you prosper together with GTIIT and sail to success.

Thank you!

Photos by Gao Huayun, Lin Ziyang, Liu Jing, Xu Yue, Zhang Zihan

Edited by GTIIT News & Public Affairs