On September 1st, the opening ceremony for the 2023 academic year at the Graduate School of China Academy of Engineering Physics (GSCAEP) was held with great solemnity. This year marks the 65th anniversary of CAEP's establishment, and more than 400 new students from all over the country gathered at CAEP to embark on their educational journey.

The opening ceremony took place at the main venue located in the Beijing Software Park campus, with additional satellite venues in Mianyang, Chengdu, Shanghai, and other locations connected via synchronous video conferencing. Distinguished guests and leaders in attendance included Academician Cangli Liu, a member of CAEP's Party Committee and President of CAEP; Kaiding Wei, Minister of Human Resources at CAEP; Academician Daqiao Meng from the Institute of Materials Research at CAEP; Academician Minxing Luo, Director of the Beijing Computational Science Research Center, and Associate Director Xuesong Feng; Yangjun Ying, Director of the Science and Technology Committee at the Beijing Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics; Huiyang Gou, a researcher at the Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, as well as representatives from various departments responsible for personnel and education at CAEP. Notably, the ceremony was also attended by Academician Changpu Sun and Associate Dean Libin Fu from the Graduate School of CAEP, faculty and staff from the Graduate School, and the incoming class of 2023. The ceremony was presided over by Jialiang Ni, the Party Secretary of the Graduate School.

The ceremony commenced with the national anthem, and the attendees, filled with enthusiasm and high spirits, set the tone for the event.

During the ceremony, Academician Cangli Liu, a member of CAEP's Party Committee and President of CAEP, and Associate Dean Libin Fu of the Graduate School, along with Academician Daqiao Meng as the representative of mentors, extended a warm welcome to all new students. Representatives from both the incoming and current students also delivered speeches expressing their aspirations and enthusiasm for their graduate studies.

President Cangli Liu shared two essential pieces of advice for the students to make the most of their graduate life. First, he emphasized the importance of adhering to principles. As CAEP celebrates its 65th anniversary, he encouraged the students to uphold the core values of CAEP, strive for excellence, contribute to the nation, and engage in practical and realistic research. Second, he stressed the need for innovation, highlighting that youth is a period of active innovation, especially in the era of widespread and transformative digital intelligence revolution.

President Liu urged students to make effective use of tools lik e big data and artificial intelligence, embrace interdisciplinary approaches, and address cutting-edge scientific challenges. 

He also encouraged students to leverage CAEP's top-notch research platforms and renowned mentors, align their research goals with national strategic needs, and integrate their personal ideals with the mission of serving the country.

Associate Dean Libin Fu provided a brief overview of CAEP's historical development and its remarkable achievements, inspiring students with stories of CAEP's outstanding predecessors and the spirit of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite" initiative. He also outlined the Graduate School's educational history, current status, curriculum system, faculty, laboratory facilities, and scholarship systems, deepening students' understanding of the Graduate School. Furthermore, he urged students to have a profound understanding of the "Two Great Situations," maintain a realistic perspective on the "critical decade" in China's development, and shared three earnest hopes for the students: to have lofty aspirations, uphold integrity, and be innovative, resilient, and proactive. He encouraged them to be exemplary youths of the new era who are dedicated to the progress of their homeland.

Academician Daqiao Meng, representing faculty mentors, shared several valuable insights with the students. He advised them to grasp the significant transition in their lives as they enter graduate studies, become pioneers in adapting to new roles, and swiftly integrate into their academic pursuits. Addressing the question of "how to excel in research," he emphasized the importance of cultivating independent thinking, a sense of social responsibility, and setting clear research goals and plans early on to avoid delays. He also encouraged students to develop a "decade-long dedication" mindset, emphasizing unwavering effort and deep focus. Additionally, he stressed the importance of physical fitness, fostering a positive mindset, and maintaining academic integrity. Meng urged students to become "practitioners" who bravely climb the peaks of scientific research. He also hoped that, as youth of the new era, they would carry forward the spirit of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite," uphold CAEP's core values, and respond to President Jinping Xi's call for young people to connect their personal destinies with the destiny of the nation.

Representing graduate students, Shuai Miao, a doctoral student from the 2018 cohort, shared his insights gained from his time at CAEP, including aspects of life such as dining, accommodation, transportation, sports and entertainment, and learning. He highlighted the tremendous support they receive from CAEP in terms of cutting-edge research facilities, distinguished faculty, comprehensive scholarship programs, excellent accommodation, and a vibrant sports and entertainment scene. He encouraged new students to align their personal destinies with the nation's destiny, emphasizing the importance of "forging the cornerstone of national defense and becoming the backbone of the nation."

Student representative Tianyu Li from the incoming class of 2023 expressed his admiration and gratitude for the achievements and inspiring stories of CAEP's predecessors. He shared his enthusiasm for contributing to the country's development as young people of the new era. Li pledged that as members of the class of 2023, they would strictly adhere to academic integrity, avoid academic misconduct, stay true to their initial motivations, work diligently, appreciate their current opportunities, and remember the dedication of their predecessors. He also emphasized the importance of unity, cooperation, and innovation in their research endeavors. Li concluded by expressing his commitment to being qualified CAEP students, inheriting the spirit of the "Two Bombs, One Satellite," and shouldering the responsibilities of the era's development.

In closing, the ceremony celebrated the arrival of the class of 2023 at the Graduate School of CAEP, marking the beginning of their academic journey and their commitment to carrying forward CAEP's core values and contributing to the nation's development.

"Just as we were young, in our prime." As they enter the Graduate School of CAEP, the class of 2023 sets sail on a journey towards their future, ready to embrace the responsibilities assigned to them by the era and the nation. We wish them great success in their studies and trust they will carry forward the core values of CAEP by becoming the cornerstone of national defense and the backbone of the nation in practice!