The Honorable Executive Vice Mayor, Mr. Haibin Zhao,
Our distinguished guest, Mr. Renrong Yu,
Distinguished High School Principals,
Respected Guests and Colleagues,
And Dear Students,
Good Evening!
Today marks a historic moment: the very first New Student Convocation in the history of the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo. We extend our warmest welcome to the 74 inaugural undergraduate students from 38 high schools across 11 cities in Zhejiang. We also warmly welcome more than 130 doctoral students who have chosen EIT Ningbo to pursue advanced studies. You are all founding partners of this university. Welcome to EIT Ningbo!
This is not only an opening ceremony—it is a family gathering. The dedicated high school teachers who nurtured you, the parents who have given selfless support, the university leaders and entrepreneurial friends who have believed in us, the board members building EIT Ningbo together, and all the faculty and staff: you are all part of the family. Welcome.
On this special day, we extend our deepest gratitude to the Ministry of Education, the People's Government of Zhejiang Province, and the Ningbo Municipal People's Government for their steadfast guidance and unwavering support. We also acknowledge with appreciation the keen interest and high expectations of the citizens of Ningbo. A special acknowledgment goes to Mr. Renrong Yu, the founding initiator of EIT Ningbo. His vision and dedication to education have made this dream a reality. Together we have made history.
After this year’s admissions process, someone remarked that EIT Ningbo has “started at the top.” Our entire faculty and staff have been immersed in the joy of this meaningful success. This joy comes not only because you are outstanding students who excel morally, intellectually, physically, aesthetically, and in practical skills, but also because your choice reflects your recognition of EIT Ningbo’s educational philosophy and future potential—a sentiment shared by the wider society.
Choosing a new university requires courage. I am deeply proud of your courage and honored by your trust. Among you is You Ding, the first prospective student I met during this year’s admission process. From that moment on, his determination to help build a new type of research university never wavered. Welcome, You Ding! Every one of you will have your name engraved in the history of EIT Ningbo.
EIT Ningbo is a new-type research university, embodying the reformative practice of key directives on developing innovative research institutions. It was founded at a pivotal historical moment, intersecting with profound global changes and the AI era. EIT Ningbo explores innovative models of education, cultivates top-notch innovative talent, and is dedicated to serving major national strategies while leading high-quality regional development in Zhejiang and Ningbo.
A high-caliber faculty is the cornerstone of EIT Ningbo’s high-starting-point approach. In just four years, the university has gathered a group of world-renowned scholars who are driven by patriotism, idealism, passion, and perseverance—ready to make bold choices, pursue innovation, and embrace challenges.
Professor Ming Zhou, Dean of the School of Engineering and member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, is among the newest additions to EIT Ningbo. At the welcome party, students were delighted by his dance moves—and he is also an accomplished skydiver. Just one week after our phone conversation, he decided to join EIT Ningbo. A leading global expert in industrial software, he will guide the university toward a new future in intelligent manufacturing.
Academician Zhangxing Chen, Dean of the Siming College, is known among students as the “king of the kids.” He remarked, “beyond my roles as a member of six academies, I am proud to serve as the Dean of Siming College.” During a recent faculty-student soccer match, everyone witnessed his impressive skills on the field.
Professor Dongxiao Zhang, Executive Vice President and Professor Chunmiao Zheng, Vice President of EIT Ningbo, like me, returned from U.S. universities two decades ago to devote themselves to education. From Peking University to Southern University of Science and Technology, and now to EIT Ningbo, they have journeyed with me across institutions.
Professor Wenjun Zeng, Vice President of EIT Ningbo, former Principal Research Manager at Microsoft Research Asia, is a globally renowned pioneer in artificial intelligence. He is also the first principal investigator of EIT Ningbo to be elected as a member of national academies in a developed country.
Professor Yiwu He, Vice President of EIT Ningbo, formerly Deputy Director at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, now oversees infrastructure construction at the university. He is often referred to as “the most highly educated and international ‘construction worker’” on campus.
At 27, Professor Wentao Zhu is the youngest and most recently appointed PI at EIT Ningbo. An alumnus of Zhenhai High School, he completed his undergraduate and doctoral education at Peking University. Despite numerous attractive offers, he resolutely chose to pursue his career at EIT.
Also present today are distinguished academicians who have made outstanding contributions to their fields, including Prof. Jingxu Zhu, Prof. Xueliang Sun, Prof. Zhongchao Tan, Prof. Dayong Jin, Prof. Pu Chen, and Prof. Gang Xu, among others. The university has now gathered a founding faculty of 100 professors. As the saying goes, “The greatness of a university lies in its masters.” Being able to embark on this journey of building a new university alongside all of you is an experience I will cherish for a lifetime. Let us extend our warmest applause to thank our founding faculty members!
A City Nurtures a University; A University Leads a City. Establishing a world-class university in his hometown has always been the dream of Mr. Renrong Yu, a representative of Ningbo entrepreneurs in the new era who have contributed personal resources to advance higher education. The founding of EIT Ningbo embodies the aspiration of successful contemporary entrepreneurs for national prosperity and rejuvenation. This profound sense of responsibility and patriotism epitomizes the spirit of the new era. Ningbo, a city renowned for its exceptional natural and human environment, has produced 122 academicians and China's first Nobel laureate Tu Youyou. Known globally for its manufacturing prowess, Ningbo has led the nation for seven consecutive years in enterprises recognized as “Single Champion” in specialized sectors. This fertile ground for innovation, entrepreneurship, and respect for knowledge and education provides a solid foundation for EIT Ningbo to develop into a new-type research university. I am confident that, through our collective efforts, EIT Ningbo will grow into a top-tier university worthy of Ningbo’s stature and become one of its most brilliant name cards.
As we stand here tonight, gazing upon our stunning new library—inspired by the legacy of Ningbo’s Tianyige Museum, the Great Hall of Tsinghua University, and the domed halls of MIT—we envision EIT Ningbo as a century-old institution dedicated to perpetuating Chinese cultural excellence and advancing global scientific progress. This land beneath our feet was once home to four villages, including Qingshuipu. The supportive response of residents to land acquisition reflects the dedication and expectations of people from Zhenhai and embodies Ningbo’s profound desire for a high-level university.Overlooking the Yong River, we are reminded of the brilliant Hemudu culture and Ningbo’s historic openness as a gateway to the world. From here, the Ningbo business community set sail to the world; from here, EIT Ningbo, shall embark on its journey toward global recognition—rising swiftly on the world map of higher education.
EIT Ningbo’s educational philosophy is student-centered, for the future of every student represents the future of the university. Committed to openness, EIT focuses on cutting-edge interdisciplinary fields such as artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, and intelligent manufacturing. We are building deep collaborations with the world’s best universities and China’s leading enterprises to develop a new talent development model for the age of AI and an engineering education system deeply integrated with technological and industrial innovation. Our goal is to cultivate aspiring, truth-seeking, and pragmatic top-notch innovators. It is our hope that students will achieve Nobel Prize, like Tu Youyou, or become outstanding entrepreneurs like Renrong Yu and Xingxing Wang, making transformative contributions to China’s development.
Two decades ago, I left Johns Hopkins University to return to Peking University and establish its College of Engineering, driven by the belief that China needed world-class engineering education. A decade ago, I went south to Shenzhen to serve as President of the Southern University of Science and Technology, contributing to the development of China’s first new-type research university in the new era. Today, in 2025, we gather to celebrate the inaugural New Student Convocation of EIT Ningbo. Looking ahead to the next decade, our country has set an ambitious goal to build a strong education system by 2035. With firm conviction and relentless effort, we will jointly establish a world-class new-type research university with Chinese characteristics, contributing EIT Ningbo’s share to strengthening the nation through education.
Tonight’s new student convocation belongs to every student. The future is unlimited. Let us root ourselves in the East, face the world, and explore infinite possibilities together!
Thank you all!
