On August 31, 2022, the Opening Ceremony of Class 2022 Graduate Students of the Department of Earth System Science (DESS), Tsinghua University was held. Professor Luo Yong, Secretary of the Party Committee and Dean of the Department, Professor Lin Yanluan, Deputy Dean of the Department, Associate Professor Yu Le, Head of the Graduate Work Group, and Professor Xu Bing and Professor Bai Yuqi, faculty representatives, attended the ceremony. Associate Professor Lu Hui, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee, presided over the ceremony.

Luo Yong addresses the Ceremony

In his address, Prof. Luo Yong welcomed the new graduate students to join the DESS family. Focusing on the origin of the DESS and the academic tradition developed after its restructuring in 2009, Prof. Luo presented an overview of the DESS to the new students, and rendered a vivid lesson on the Party. Starting from the origin of Earth system science in Tsinghua, he introduced the development of meteorology for the people. “The mission of Tsinghua DESS is to meet the needs of the country and the nation in the first place, and to innovate and be academically independent in the second,” said Luo Yong, who also stressed the outstanding contributions made by the older generation of Tsinghua people to the development of meteorology in the People’s Republic of China. This spirit of Tsinghua Earth system science, which serves the major needs of the country and the nation, has been passed down to this day. Today, as the global climate change poses a major challenge on the international community, achieving the goal of “carbon peaking and carbon neutrality” represents a broad and profound reform systematically on economy and society. In this context, universities must train young people able to lead the world to address the challenges of climate change anytime, which is not only the unique strength of universities, but also their special responsibility. It is Tsinghua University's mission and commitment to actively respond to global climate change. Later, Prof. Luo introduced the characteristics of Earth system science in Tsinghua, its current scientific research platforms and future development plans. He stressed that good teacher-student rapport is essential in the future study and life of the students, and drew on an anecdote of Rossby, the founder of the Chicago School, and his students as an inspiration for the students to build good student relations. Regarding the strengthening of academic integrity, he pointed out that abiding by scientific research ethics is a basic principle for scientific and technological work, and that we should advocate honesty and commitment in scientific research, and strive to create a healthy research ecology with a clean and upright atmosphere. He expected the students to improve their minds, enrich their knowledge, enhance their abilities, strengthen their physique, and carry forward the spirit of patriotism and innovation and the excellent tradition of Earth system science in Tsinghua.

Bai Yuqi delivers a speech

Prof. Bai Yuqi delivered a speech on behalf of all the faculty members. With the numbers 0, 1, 2 and 3 as the main thread, he told the new graduate students that as they started a new journey of life from 0 they should embrace the future calmly. In the face of all the uncertainties in learning, we should work hard every day and patiently wait for the flowers to bloom. Prof. Bai advised that the learning process should be planned stage by stage and encouraged the students to make full use of the tutor group system in the DESS and to develop a good rapport with their teachers. “Only when we share the same ‘Tao’ can we seek common ground and only when we share the same aspiration can we be good friends,” said Bai Yuqi, who looked forward to candid communication and mutual empowerment in the future.

Ren Zhehao delivers a speech

Ren Zhehao, a 2018 direct-track doctoral student in the DESS, spoke on behalf of the students. Based on his own experience, Ren shared stories about courage from three aspects: campus life, scientific research and value pursuit. He hoped that everyone will bravely take the first step, bravely admit their present situation, strive for change, and become a stronger and well-rounded person through physical, aesthetic and labor education. In scientific research, we should not “aim for the easy, shun challenges or eschew risks”. Research work while being a student, if well done, can also serve the actual needs of the society. Ren believed that as young people in the new era we should carry forward the heroism of the older generation in weathering hardships to forge ahead. As proud students of Tsinghua, we should see through fogs to develop our steady values on the campus. "We will bear greater trust and responsibility endowed by our motherland and people, and we will go global from here to make the voice of Chinese youth heard in the world,” said Ren Zhehao.

Chen Zhou delivers a speech

Chen Zhou spoke as a representative of the new graduate students. He said that he was excited to embark on a new journey here and that we should dare to think, fight and venture, and respond to challenges with higher motivation. With "faith in heart and strength in action", we will work for the needs of the country, and make practical contributions to the motherland. The Opening Ceremony closed in the harmonious chanting of the university anthem by all the teachers and students present.

Ceremony scenes