On September 4, Beihang University held an opening convocation to welcome the new students across its Xueyuan Road Campus, Shahe Campus, and Hangzhou International Campus via synchronous live streaming. A total of 14,396 new students—including 4,724 undergraduates, 9,022 postgraduates, and 650 international students—gathered at the three campuses in two cities, embarking on a new chapter.

Shahe Campus

Xueyuan Road Campus

Hangzhou International Campus

Attending the ceremony were Secretary of the CPC Beihang University Committee Zhao Changlu, President Wang Yunpeng, Deputy Secretaries of the Party Committee Liu Shuchun and Cheng Bo, Vice Presidents Lyu Weifeng, Zhao Weisheng, Deng Yi, Wu Jianghao and Yan Xiaojun; Chairman of the Academic Committee Fang Jiancheng, Vice Chairman of the Academic Committee Wang Huaming, Degree Evaluation Committee member Gong Shengkai, Vice Chairman of the Academic Committee Wang Zili, Academic Committee members Guo Lei, Wang Jinjun, Shi Chuang, and Yao Yangping, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) Qian Depei; faculty representative Wei Hongxing, and alumnus representative Wang Xiangming. Over 10,000 participants, including heads of schools and colleges, heads of administrative and support service departments, freshman counselors, and all 2026 undergraduate, graduate, and international students, joined the ceremony. The ceremony was presided over by Deng Yi.

Amid the solemn and stirring national anthem, the national flag was raised, and the convocation officially began.

Leaders and faculty members on the rostrum presented the university badges to freshman representatives, and all 2026 new students across the three campuses wore the badges. Bearing Beihang's glorious history of over 70 years of pioneering, innovation, and perseverance, the badges inspire freshmen to inherit the aspiration of "Serving the Nation through Aerospace Endeavors" and grow into a new generation committed to shouldering great missions.

Qiu Shengqin, a freshman from Shen Yuan Honors College, spoke as the undergraduate representative. Qiu shared his admiration and aspirations for Beihang, expressing that as a new Beihang student, he is determined to devote himself to diligent research, dare to explore and take risks, and hone his skills, assuming the responsibilities of the era with youthful vigour.

Gu Jingxuan, a doctoral student from the School of Electronic and Information Engineering, spoke on behalf of all new graduate students. Gu shared her journey of perseverance in the field of electromagnetic compatibility, and pledged to further dedicate herself to academic studies, and stay true to aspirations and undertake missions to serve the country with expertise.

Eric David Gutierrez Rivera, a new student from the Beihang Valencia Polytechnic Institute (BVPI), spoke as the international student representative. He looked forward to embracing challenges with an open and curious mindset, working alongside peers worldwide, fostering cultural resonance through exchange and mutual learning, and finding his own path at Beihang.

Liu Chenyang, a doctoral student from the School of Astronautics, spoke on behalf of the current students. Reflecting on his own growth journey, Liu encouraged his fellow students to immerse themselves in Beihang's rich academic environment, dare to venture into the unknown, and unlock more possibilities for their youth through continuous self-improvement.

Professor Wei Hongxing, Director of the Embodied Intelligence Robotics Institute, delivered a speech as the faculty representative. He reflected affectionately on his research journey and encouraged students to remain committed to tackling core technological challenges, hone their skills through real-world project practice, and find the intersection between personal aspirations and the mission of the era through hard-won endeavours.

The university leaders presented the letters of appointment to the representatives of 2026 freshman counselors, encouraging all new counselors to remain committed to their mission of nurturing and supporting students in their development.

Wang Xiangming, Chief Expert at the AVIC Shenyang Aircraft Design & Research Institute and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), delivered a speech as the alumnus representative. He recalled fondly his study years at Beihang and offered words of encouragement to all new students: to dream big and set ambitious goals, study diligently, and dare to innovate and pioneer.

President Wang Yunpeng, on behalf of all Beihang faculty and students, extended a warm welcome to the 14,396 new Beihang members and expressed heartfelt gratitude to the parents and teachers who had nurtured their growth. Wang noted that one's choice of university and developmental direction largely shapes who one will become. Though each freshman has a unique story, they have all made the same life choice this summer: to set out from Beihang and fly toward broader horizons. 

"You are in the most vibrant years of your lives, and also at a pivotal moment for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. The baton is in your hands, the sky lies before you, and Beihang will always be your booster," Wang said.

Centred on the theme "Robust-rooted trees bear abundant fruits," Wang shared vivid examples and offered three key words of advice to all new students on "how to grow." The first was "taking root": grow downward before reaching upward. In this fast-paced era, he encouraged students to learn to slow down, and anchor their roots deeply in their chosen majors and passions. The second was "sprouting": blaze trails amid difficulties. Define developmental directions driven by genuine interest, embrace challenges, and sharpen their skills through hands-on efforts. The third was "growing into a forest": one may travel fast alone, yet one travels far together. Students should learn to connect with peers, and cross boundaries together, encountering unexpected vistas through the collision of ideas and growing into a thriving forest.

The convocation concluded with all participants singing the university anthem "Look up at the Starry Sky," marking the start of the new journey for the new students.

Editor: Liu Tingting