On the morning of September 13, 2025, the opening ceremony for the the Class of 2025 of Chu Kochen Honors College, Zhejiang University was successfully held in the main library auditorium of Zhejiang University.The ceremony was attended byMa Yanming, President of Zhejiang University, Dean of CKCand Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Huang He, alumnus of the Mixed Class of 1993, Vice President of Nanjing Normal University, and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Wu Jian, Member of the Standing Committee of the University Party Committee and Vice President of Zhejiang University; and Zhu Hui, Deputy Secretary of the Zhejiang University Party Committee. Also present were leaders from relevant university departments and faculties, the Class of 2025's head teachers and part-time counsellors, all new students of the cohort, and the faculty and staff of CKC.
“To aspire to high goals is our spiritual beacon; to pursue excellence is our conscious pursuit.”said Ma Yanming, President of Zhejiang University,in his speech titled Aspire High and Pursue Excellence. He earnestly advised students tobuild a strong foundation, reach higher, and move forward with confidence. Set lofty ambitions, cultivate a spirit of excellence, and unleash your potential to shape your future here on Qiushi Campus.
Guided bythe College motto “Aspiring to high goals and pursuing excellence”, Academician Ma put forward three expectations further for students: First, he encouraged students to explore the realm of “knowing from the beginning to the end” through profound learning and interdisciplinary thinking; to uphold the aspiration of “integrating knowledge with action and remaining steadfast,” and to pursue the excellence of “drawing upon diverse perspectives and gaining insight into the essence of things” within CKC’s interdisciplinary environment.Second, he urged students to cultivate a broad and inclusive vision through a global perspective; to embrace the ideal of “appreciating the beauty of diversity and seeking harmony through difference,” and to strive for the excellence of “embracing the world and co-creating the future” as nurtured by CKC’s international education.Finally, he called on students to carry forward the mission of “building our nation” with a strong sense of patriotism and social responsibility; to hold the aspiration of “devoting oneself to the country and living up to the times,” and to pursue the excellence of “applying knowledge to serve society and advance progress” through CKC’s education in dedication and service.
Academician Huang He, an alumnus of the Mixed Class of 1998, delivered a report titled “Pioneering in Innovation, Synthesizing the Future” to the 2025 freshmen.As a long-time researcher in metabolic engineering and synthetic biology of industrial microorganisms, Huang shared his personal journey and current research achievements with the students, recounting his growth story that began at CKC in an accessible and engaging manner. He encouraged students to cultivate a deep sense of patriotism and integrate personal aspirations into the broader picture of national development. Also, he emphasized the importance to foster interdisciplinary subject abilities actively, and broadening our horizons through cross-disciplinary learning. Only by solidifying foundational values and honing skills, can we shoulder responsibilities and shine on the stage of our nation’s construction and industrial development, ultimately achieving great promise and great accomplishment in the future. Vice President Wu Jian presented Huang with a commemorative album on behalf of the university.
Yu Qian, Secretary of the Party Committee and Vice Dean of CKC, introduced Chu Kochen Honors College’s educational framework. The college is dedicated to nurturing the core competencies of top-tier talents, leveraging honors courses to build a solid academic foundation, implementing a comprehensive mentors system to enhance guidance and learning, deepening the integration of science and education through research training, promoting innovative practices through integrated bachelor-doctoral programs, and strengthening a sense of national responsibility through social practice and international exchanges. Additionally, the college emphasizes the development of students' physical health and aesthetic appreciation. Yu Qian encouraged students to embrace challenges, strive for excellence, and contribute to our time through perseverance and dedication.
Lu Xin, Vice Dean of CKC and a professor of the Honors General Physics course, spoke as a representative of the faculty. He drew upon Wang Guowei's "three realms" of scholarship to guide students in adapting to the transition from high school to university learning.He advised students to move away from the “Drill and Practice” strategy and instead deeply understand the underlying logic of knowledge, tackling challenges with scientific methods and diligent study. While solidifying our foundational coursework, he encouraged active participation in cutting-edge interdisciplinary courses and in-depth research training, , so we could understand our discipline's developmental trajectory from its foundational courses and gain insight into the nation's scientific and technological frontiers through practical research.Master the developmental thread of their disciplines through core courses and gain insights into national scientific frontiers through research practice.
As the representative of the incoming class, Xia Rong from the mix class of 2025 delivered a speech. He recalled the solidarity demonstrated by his peers during military training, appreciated the warmth and care conveyed by teachers when resolving doubts, and gained a profound insight that “we”, compares to “I”, carries more power, more support, more weight. He also expressed his hope to integrate his personal aspirations into the spiritual tapestry of Zhejiang University, striving to contribute his youthful “I” to the collective “we” of this era.
President Ma Yanming present the college badge to the representatives of the new students. Centered around “Seek”, This badge is not only engraved with the spiritual genes of “Seeking truth and Pioneering New Trails”—a core value of Zhejiang University, but embodies the aspiring pursuit of CKCers’ to strive for new heights.
Vice president Wu Jian and Deputy Secretary Zhu Hui present letters of appointment to class teachers of 2025 freshmen cohort. Fu Fangzheng, Executive Deputy Director of the Party Committee Propaganda Department, Shen Liyong, Director of the Party Committee Student Affairs Department, Xu Xiaofeng, Secretary of the Youth League Committee, Wu Fei, Dean of the Undergraduate College present certificate to part-time advisors of the class of 2025.
“Aspiring for high goals and pursuing excellence”—the Class of 2025 recited the Honor Rules in unison, solemnly vowing to carry forward the spirit of seeking truth, and to shoulder responsibility and mission of all members of Chu Kochen Honors College.
Carrying forward the spirit of Qiushi—seeking truth and pursuing reality—a new horizon unfolds; under the brilliance of CKC stars, a new journey begins.
Although the Opening Ceremony for the Class of 2025 has come to an end, the college journey of the freshmen has only just begun. It is believed that all new students will remember their teachers’ earnest guidance and high expectations, and take this moment as a new starting point—to gather strength through self-enrichment, and to stay true to their youthful aspirations through dedication and responsibility. On the journey ahead, may they climb mountains and cross seas, ride the winds and waves, and compose a splendid chapter of youth in the new era of Zhejiang University.
