On the afternoon of September 7, the opening ceremony for the Institute of Creativity and Innovation’s (ICI) 2022 cohort was held. Yu Zizhong, Deputy Director of the Administration Commission of Zhangzhou Campus, Wang Zhilan, Director of the General Office of Zhangzhou Campus Office and Deputy Director of the General Office of XMU, Qin Jian, Dean of the ICI, Philip Lambert, Associate Dean of the ICI, other members of the ICI’s management team, the faculty and the 2022 Cohort attended the ceremony. Wang Yi, Chair of the ICI Council, presided over the ceremony.
Dean and Professor Qin Jian welcomed all freshmen of the 2022 Cohort. He said “Design is an interdisciplinary and highly practical subject that combines multiple disciplines. To become a good designer, first of all, one is required to be open-minded and inclusive with strong expertise; second, one needs to communicate effectively and collaborate with others; third, one should try to think critically and have the courage to break new ground. Professor Qin Jian hoped that students would move forward with determination and write an excellent chapter of their life with their idealism and youthful enthusiasm.
Professor Philip Lambert said that ICI adopts a multi-result-oriented approach to learning and evaluation while also focuses more on cultivating students' abilities of practice, thinking and independent learning. He hoped that students could cherish the opportunities to study in ICI and write their own tickets.
Assistant Professor Ma Wen, a faculty representative, remarked that we would always encounter uncertainties in the diverse scenarios when people have different backgrounds with different cultures meet and conflict with each other. To identify uncertainties, exploring them and conquering them is what you need to do.
Doctor Duncan Breeze, a faculty representative, expressed his hopes that students could find their new ways to creatively express themselves. Instead of earning recognition from the tutors, students should build confidence, develop themselves and grow in their learning, which are the learning goals set by ICI.
Chang Xifei, a student representative from the 2021 Cohort, shared her experience and learning suggestions with the freshmen. She said that studying in a university is not only the golden period of life but also the time to explore one's potential. As an ICI student, we should have the courage to face difficulties, never give up, push the boundaries, and challenge our limits. Besides, we should stay humble and confident, embrace the infinite possibilities on the life journey, and live up to our original aspirations in the name of youth.
Chen Lanxin, a student representative from the 2022 Cohort, said that what is past is a prologue and what are possible can be choices. XMU is a university of dream for many students. We must take dreams as our horses and live up to the glory of our youth. We should uphold the spirit of pursuing excellence as an XMU student in the new era and carry forward the Kah Kee spirit with meticulousness, practical actions and inclusive attitude so that we will have the ability and courage to shoulder missions and responsibilities designated by the country.
The opening ceremony concluded with all the attendees singing the anthem of XMU together. The freshmen were about to set sail and embark on a new journey. May all the students uphold the virtues of integrity and diligence, seek truth from facts, and apply what they have learned. May they have broad knowledge and skills, expand the scope of their lives, constantly improve and surpass themselves, keep in mind the XMU spirit, and realize their dreams in the Strength of the South, so as to write a new chapter of youth in the prime of their lives.
On the morning of September 7, for their better adaptation to the school, students of the 2021 Cohort showed the freshmen around the campus, and shared their experiences in daily life, learning and creation. In front of the ICI building, senior students introduced the environment featuring good learning atmosphere and communication. As a result of the campus tour, the freshmen knew more about the beautiful campus and fine traditions, and they had clearer goals in the new semester and felt ready for new beginnings.
