On the afternoon of September 8, 2024, the opening ceremony and freshman orientation event for the 2024 undergraduate students of the Xi'an Jiaotong University-Politecnico di Milano Joint School of Design and Innovation (hereinafter referred to as "XJTU-Polimi Joint School") was held in the Milan Building .More than 260 faculty members and students gathered together to kick off the new semester and embark on a new chapter in their lives.
Executive Dean Yang Shuming, Vice Dean Chen Xiaoming, Vice Dean Li Xiaoling, Dean of Qide College Liu Heng, Professor Bianca Maria Colosimo from the School of Mechanical Engineering of Politecnico di Milano, Professor Annalisa Dominoni from the School of Design, as well as representatives of faculty and students attended the ceremony. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Dean Jiang Weile.
At the beginning of the meeting, Professor Bianca Maria Colosimo and Professor Annalisa Dominoni, representatives of Politecnico di Milano, congratulated the students on joining Xi'an Jiaotong University and Politecnico di Milano. They mentioned that Politecnico di Milano's design and architecture disciplines are both ranked 7th in the world, demonstrating its strong academic strength. Xi'an Jiaotong University also boasts high-quality teaching resources and educational environment. Cultivating students with innovative thinking and capabilities is the common goal of the two universities in their joint education endeavors.
Next, the representative of the class advisers, Zhang Qian, delivered a speech. He shared that he graduated from Xi'an Jiaotong University with a bachelor's and master's degree before obtaining his Ph.D. from Politecnico di Milano. To the students, he will be both a teacher and an elder classmate. He encouraged them to quickly adapt to the university's learning style, actively observe and think in their daily lives and studies, constantly summarize their experiences, and plan their university life well.
On behalf of Qide College, Dean Liu Heng welcomed the new students and expressed his hope that after starting their university life, they would think more, explore more, communicate more, and actively participate in various collective activities while completing their studies. The college and the school will work closely together to provide wholehearted support and protection for the students.
Su Qiruo, a student from the 2022 class of Industrial Design, warmly welcomed the new students on behalf of all the students in the college and shared his experiences and growth during his studies at XJTU-Polimi Joint School. Niu Fangzhou, a representative of the 2024 class of Architecture, delivered a speech as a freshman representative. He expressed his earnest pursuit of knowledge and boundless aspirations for starting a new chapter in life, and vowed to work side by side with all his classmates to forge ahead together.
Next, Executive Dean Yang Shuming extended the warmest welcome to the 2024 undergraduate freshmen on behalf of all the faculty and students of the college, and extended sincere greetings to the parents and teachers of the new students. He said that this is the third time he has stood on the podium for the college's opening ceremony. Since its establishment, the college has relied on the excellent educational conditions of Xi'an Jiaotong University, and integrated the advanced training concepts of Xi'an Jiaotong University and Politecnico di Milano, aiming to create a high-level talent training system for the future. It aims to cultivate composite professionals with a strong sense of social responsibility, international perspective, and high overall quality. The college has its own independent academic building, and the Innovation Harbor provides students with excellent accommodation and living conditions. At the same time, the college boasts a variety of club activities and numerous innovative technology competitions, as well as a highly qualified Sino-Italian faculty team. He hopes that students will be courageous in exploration after entering the university, actively utilize various learning and living resources, study hard, and enjoy their lives.
The opening ceremony came to a successful conclusion with the chorus of the school song, "Light for the World." Following that, the freshman orientation program began. Vice Dean Li Xiaoling and Vice Dean Jiang Weile introduced the programs of Industrial Design and Architecture respectively, giving students a deeper understanding of the two majors. Teachers Hu Xiaonan from the college and Hu Shulei from the school introduced the academic affairs and student affairs work respectively, providing valuable guidance and suggestions for the new students.
