On the morning of September 6, LUSM held a grand opening ceremony for the 2023 graduate students in the auditorium of the Student Activity Center of Chengguan Campus. The ceremony was attended by nearly 900 individuals, including LUSM’s leadership team, representatives from the teaching staff, counselors, and graduate students belonging to the class of 2023. They all witnessed the commencement of a new collective journey for these students. It was presided over by Liu Yajun, Secretary of LUSM CPC Committee.

The ceremony opened with the national anthem. On behalf of the School, Prof. He Wensheng, Dean of LUSM, welcomed and congratulated the new graduate students. In his speech, he introduced the 114-year history of Lanzhou University and its major achievements, and reviewed the development of the management discipline of Lanzhou University and the achievements of the LUSM in the past 19 years since its establishment. On the occasion of the opening of the postgraduate study, He Wensheng put forward three expectations to the students: to cultivate a lofty ambition and become an exemplary individual of our time, driven by ideals and responsibilities; to foster a virtuous character and embrace goodness and beauty; to prioritize academic pursuits unwaveringly, thereby becoming diligent talents.

Prof. Lang Mei, the faculty representative, expressed her hope that students would swiftly adapt to transition into postgraduate status, promptly secure suitable positions, maintain a positive mindset, and leverage the School’s platform to earnestly engage in academic research. She emphasized the importance of cultivating teamwork skills for personal growth and continuously enhancing comprehensive abilities in various aspects of life, study, research, and work through a problem-oriented approach encompassing problem identification, analysis, and resolution.

The journey of learning is arduous yet perpetually imbued with hope. Yao Liangyan, representative of current students and a PhD candidate of business administration in the class of 2021, shared her growth and gains from working at night in Qiyun Building, studying hard in Xinglin Building, and writing hard in Jishi Hall. She encouraged the new graduate students to shape an illustrious scenery at LUSM through unwavering perseverance and relentless endeavors.

Li Qing, a new postgraduate representative and a 2023 EMBA student, returned to campus after working for many years as a post-70s dream seeker. He likened his upcoming graduate study to a journey from the “East Earth Demon Capital” to the “Western regions Lanzhou University”. With years of work practice and a solid career foundation, his desire to attend graduate school became even clearer. He hopes to find new breakthroughs and achieve greater development by systematically learning management knowledge.

The 815 newly enrolled graduate students, brimming with vitality and creativity, have injected fresh vigor and new momentum into the School’s pursuit of high-quality development. “We are a group of eagles on the Northwest Plateau, giving up everything to be reborn in the face of adversity, soaring through land and sky, and nurturing dreams in the dome of the sky.” The opening ceremony was closed successfully in the solemn melody of the school song.

After the ceremony, Prof. He Wensheng, Dean of LUSM, delivered the first lesson to all incoming students with the aim of facilitating their swift adaptation to the new environment of the school,  identifying the new goals of postgraduate study and life, fostering a positive and enterprising mindset, as well as advancing the construction of school spirit and study style.

He Wensheng introduced the development history, school running and future development plan of LUSM in terms of its history, mission and vision, “four strategies”, faculty development, talent education, scientific research, international cooperation, international accreditation, and social service, etc. He hopes that in the coming years, the students will develop a new perspective and mindset towards postgraduate studies, acquire knowledge enrichment at LUSM, experience the profound impact of academia, grasp the essence of management, evolve into exceptional leaders who shape the future, and collaboratively draw a new blueprint for LUSM’s development.