On September 4, the opening ceremony for the cohort of 2026 was held at the Chenxi Sports Ground on SWUFE’s Liulin Campus. Nearly 9,000 new students from across China and around the world gathered to begin their journey at this century-old institution, ready to embrace the spirit of SWUFE and respond to the call of the times.
The ceremony was presided over by Chairman Zhao Jianjun, with President Li Yongqiang delivering the keynote address. University leaders, deans, faculty representatives, alumni, parents, and guests from SWUFE’s affiliated primary and secondary schools attended the event.
The ceremony opened with a lively musical performance, followed by a solemn flag-raising ceremony. A student poetry recital traced SWUFE’s storied history and inspired the newcomers to carry forward its legacy of serving the nation through economic scholarship.
Chairman Zhao Jianjun emphasized the importance of youth in the nation’s rejuvenation, urging students to build strong ideals, sharpen their skills, and cultivate resilience. He encouraged them to anchor themselves in socialist values, pursue knowledge with dedication, and face challenges with a healthy and determined spirit.
President Li Yongqiang, in his speech titled "Becoming the Protagonist of Your Own Story," called on students to take initiative, explore their passions, and stay curious. He urged them to move beyond passive learning, think critically, and embrace complexity with intellectual rigour. He also stressed the value of perseverance and self-discipline, encouraging students to pursue excellence in every small task and to uphold SWUFE’s enduring commitment to dedication and service.
In addition, faculty representative and new student representative made speeches to share their experiences. After that, the university leadership then presented new students with the official SWUFE name badge, followed by a collective oath-taking ceremony, which was a symbolic embrace of both identity and tradition.
The ceremony concluded with all participants singing the SWUFE alma mater song.
“Today, you define yourselves; tomorrow, you will define SWUFE.” The cohort of 2026 is set to grow in wisdom, integrity, and independence at this historic institution, embarking on a journey of self-discovery and excellence.
