On the afternoon of September 3, amid the golden autumn season, the opening ceremony for the 2024 cohort of graduate students at the School of Software Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), was successfully held in the 1002 Lecture Hall. Attendees included Party Secretary Wang Shixian, Dean Professor Bai Xiang, Deputy Party Secretary Xu Jie, Vice Dean Professor Shen Gang, Assistant Dean Wu Jianjie, Graduate Academic Office Director Ma Zhongping, Graduate Administrator Zhang Yun, Graduate Counselor Hou Junhong, as well as faculty representatives, senior student representatives, and all 2024 graduate students. The ceremony was hosted by Vice Dean Professor Shen Gang, who warmly welcomed the new students on behalf of the School.
The ceremony began with all attendees standing for the national anthem.
In his welcome address, Party Secretary Wang Shixian expressed his heartfelt congratulations and warm welcome to the new students. He shared the School’s achievements and future vision, encouraged students to boldly pursue knowledge, contribute to scientific research, and provided valuable guidance to illuminate their academic and professional paths.
Faculty representative Wu Jianjie delivered a speech, encouraging new students to take the initiative in learning, understand the essence of scientific exploration, develop habits of independent and critical thinking, maintain a positive academic attitude, and foster a solid academic foundation.
Liu Jing, a second-year master's student from the 2023 cohort, spoke as a senior representative. She reflected on her experiences over the past year, emphasizing the importance of perseverance and passion in academic pursuits. She called upon her peers to embody the School’s motto, "Virtue and Knowledge, Truth and Innovation," integrate personal goals with national aspirations, and contribute to society with courage and dedication.
Luo Shu, a master's student from the 2024 cohort, shared her feelings as a new student, expressing her expectations for the fresh learning environment and inspiring her peers to progress together. Her speech radiated confidence and enthusiasm, reflecting the vibrant spirit of the incoming class.
Graduate Academic Office Director Ma Zhongping welcomed the new students, introduced the academic office's functions, and addressed common academic issues. He encouraged students to actively interact with faculty and extended his best wishes for their academic journey. Graduate Administrator Zhang Yun provided detailed guidance on course selection processes and degree-related matters, ensuring that every student could complete their studies smoothly under the guidance of the faculty.
Dean Professor Bai Xiang delivered an academic lecture as part of the orientation. He proposed five critical questions that all students must consider in their research: whether the research task is cutting-edge and meaningful and what problem it addresses; the current status and development stage of the research task and how breakthroughs can be achieved; what innovative approach is planned and why it can resolve the research problem; whether the chosen research approach can overcome current bottlenecks and solve previously unresolved issues; and whether the experimental data validate the new perspectives generated by the research. He emphasized that there are no inherently difficult or easy research directions—only differences in sophistication. By thoroughly addressing these five questions, students can navigate their academic journey with confidence and clarity.
In his concluding remarks, Vice Dean Professor Shen Gang encouraged the students to seize the opportunities provided during their graduate studies, strive for excellence, and surpass themselves. He wished all students success in their academic endeavors and expressed hope that they would contribute to their personal dreams and societal progress.
