On the afternoon of January 9, the awarding ceremony for the 8th "Touching Beihang" Exemplary Figures and Groups was held at the Sunrise Concert Hall of Xueyuan Road Campus.

Attended by over 800 people, the ceremony saw the presence of Zhao Changlu, Secretary of the CPC Beihang University Committee, Wang Yunpeng, President of Beihang University and other university leaders on campus, representatives of "Touching Beihang" award winners in the previous years, heads of various schools and departments, as well as representatives of faculty, students, and alumni.

In his opening speech, Zhao Changlu extended warm congratulations and high respect to the exemplary figures and groups receiving the awards. He noted that this year marks the beginning of the "15th Five-Year Plan," and standing at this new historical starting point, it is particularly important to widely unite the tremendous power of the university community to love the university, honor its achievements, and strive for excellence.

Zhao Changlu, Secretary of the CPC Beihang University Committee, delivers a speech.

Zhao Changlu emphasized that this power is derived from role models who strive for progress and uphold virtue above self, from the enduring university spirit passed down through generations, and from the shared commitment to integrating knowledge with action. He encouraged the community to learn from these exemplars, channel their inspiration into tangible progress, and actively embody the university motto. By leading in social advancement, technological innovation, and industrial transformation, he noted, the university will contribute meaningfully to building a strong educational nation.

"When we face greater opportunities and tougher challenges, it becomes all the more essential to build broad ideological consensus and forge a solid spiritual foundation." Zhao Changlu said.

During the ceremony, the awards were presented to recognize a number of exemplary individuals and distinguished groups. The honorees included Lai Sheng, Cao Jia, Li Zhengneng, Yao Jun'en, He Guoyu, and Liu Daxiang, alongside the Beihang Square Choir and Volunteer Team for the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the Food Service Department of the Logistics Service Center, and the National Key Lab of EMC and Protection.

Vice President Wu Jianghao and Zhang Yan, representative of the Beihang Winter Olympics Volunteer Service Team and the exemplary group from the 7th "Touching Beihang," present the award to representatives of the Beihang Square Choir and Volunteer Team for the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Vice President Deng Yi presents the award to Associate Professor Lai Sheng from the School of New Media Art and Design.

Vice President Lyu Jinhu presents the award to Cao Jia, a 2021 doctoral student from the School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering.

Vice President Zhao Weisheng and Zhang Pengfei, an exemplary figure from the 6th "Touching Beihang," present award to representatives of the Food Service Departmentfromthe Logistics Service Center.

Liu Hongcang, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beihang University Committee and Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection, presents the award to Li Zhengneng. Zheng Qixuan, former Vice President of Beihang University, accepts the award on her behalf.

Liu Shuchun, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Beihang University Committee presents the award to Yao Jun'en, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at the School of Physics. Wang Fei, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Physics, Chen Qiang, who facilitated Academician Yao's introduction to the university, and Qian Jianqiang, a student of Academician Yao accept the award on his behalf.

Academician Qi Faren, a role model from the 7th "Touching Beihang" awards, presents the prize to representatives of the National Key Lab of EMC and Protection.

President Wang Yunpeng presents the award to Professor He Guoyu from the School of Electronic and Information Engineering.

Party Committee Secretary Zhao Changlu and President Wang Yunpeng present the award to Liu Daxiang, academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at the School of Energy and Power Engineering.

A special segment featured a poignant AI-powered theatrical performance "A Dialogue Across Time and Space," where a digital avatar of Academician Gao Zhentong, the first "Touching Beihang" awardee, was recreated. On screen, he inspired the audience: "Being 'touched' is a kind of driving force, the spiritual heritage of Beihang people. With a vast future ahead, we must align our personal aspirations with the mission of building a strong nation!"

The ceremony paid tribute to the two-decade journey of "Touching Beihang." Sun Shuyi, an alumna who was a key organizer and host of the inaugural event and now serves as Party Secretary at a department of the China Academy of Space Technology, shared her warm two-decade connection with the awards. "May this flame of 'Touching Beihang' burn eternally," she expressed, "illuminating every one of us who dreams of the stars while keeping our feet firmly on the ground."

Tang Lan, the lyricist and composer of the theme song "Touching Beihang" and an alumna, shared her creative journey. "The true authors of this song are all the 'Touching Beihang' role models," she said. "Through this song and these awards, may we remember the inspiration and pass on the strength to jointly write a new chapter for Beihang people in the new era." The song was then performed by student singers.

The ceremony also featured a gold-medal performance from the Beijing College Student Dance Festival, "The Long River Rushes On," by the Beihang Student Dance Troupe. It concluded on a stirring note with the chorus of "Ode to My Homeland."

Since its establishment in 2005, the "Touching Beihang" selection has become an indispensable part of the university's cultural education system. Over eight sessions spanning twenty years, it has recognized 78 individuals and groups excelling in moral education, scientific research, and social service, continuously infusing the campus with a dynamic force that encourages virtue, kindness, and emulation of the exemplary.

Editors: Liu Tingting, Lyu Xingyun