On August 27, 2026, the opening ceremony for the 2026-entry graduate cohort of the Department of Earth System Science (DESS), Tsinghua University, took place. Academician Chen Deliang, Department Chair, and Professor Lu Hui, Deputy Department Chair, attended the ceremony, which was presided over by Associate Professor Li Wei, Deputy Department Chair.

Address by Chen Deliang

Chen Deliang gave an overview of the historical evolution, disciplinary features and talent‑training philosophy of earth sciences at Tsinghua. Drawing on his personal overseas study and work experience, he recounted the tremendous changes he had witnessed across China, as well as the country’s vital role in addressing global climate change and advancing sustainable development. He noted that against the grave challenges brought by global climate change, we should leverage the interdisciplinary strengths of Earth system science, scale up domestic and international cooperation, and boost capabilities for climate change adaptation and projection. He urged new students to develop a global vision and dare to pose novel scientific questions. He emphasized that upon embarking on their graduate studies, students must uphold the bottom‑line requirements of academic integrity, strive to build sound faculty‑student relationships, cultivate systems thinking, expand interdisciplinary outlooks, and assume the responsibility of integrating their academic pursuits with the destiny of the nation and humanity.

Remarks by Lu Hui

As a faculty representative, Lu Hui extended a welcome to incoming students on behalf of all DESS faculty members. In his address, he elaborated on the contemporary mission of Earth system science in tackling global climate change and advancing ecological civilization. He stressed that geoscientific research entails not only the exploration of natural laws but also the weighty responsibility of “Dual Carbon” (carbon peaking and carbon neutrality) strategy and humanity’s sustainable development. He expressed his hope that new students, armed with a strong sense of inquiry and responsibility, would bring their insights and expertise to advance ecological civilization from a geoscience perspective. He encouraged them to dare to grapple with real‑world, complex scientific challenges, align personal aspirations with national development priorities, and grow into well‑rounded Tsinghua graduates cultivated in morality, intellect, physical health, aesthetics and labor practice.

Remarks by Zhou Yufeng

Zhou Yufeng, a 2021‑entry direct‑PhD student at DESS, spoke as the representative of current students. He shared three takeaways from his experience at Tsinghua: exploring the breadth and depth of the campus, pursuing research with genuine passion, and sustaining physical and mental balance amid epochal transformations. He encouraged incoming students to leverage the resources offered by the university and department to identify research directions they are truly passionate about. In research, they should dare to experiment and embrace trial‑and‑error, so they can attain that state of “genuine fascination with a scientific question”. Facing the AI wave, he advised the newcomers: “Use it when needed, step back when appropriate, and keep learning when necessary.” They should harness technology well yet retain independent critical thinking, and pursue proactive learning amid ongoing shifts. Lastly, he encouraged incoming students to commit fully to both research and daily life, and write their own remarkable chapters on Tsinghua’s fertile academic soil.

Remarks by Shi Ying

Shi Ying, a 2026‑entry PhD student at DESS, spoke as a new‑student representative. She noted that the greatest appeal of Earth system science lies in its interdisciplinary perspective and the ever‑evolving relationship between natural systems and human society. She stated that she would sustain curiosity toward the unknown, rigor in addressing scientific questions, and a sense of responsibility to advance Earth system science — so that countless small individual steps may combine to drive great progress of our times.

After the ceremony, Li Wei presented the graduate training curriculum and requirements for the 2026‑entry graduate cohort.

Written by Wang Jiayin

Photographed by Zhao Qingsong

Reviewed by Yu Le