"Young people should aspire to great heights and seize their moment to embark on a new journey!" Military training is the first lesson of university life—a test of willpower and the start of embracing responsibility.
On April 18, the 2026 Freshmen Military Training Mobilization Assembly was held at the Comprehensive Training Ground. Vice President Yang Xiuying attended the assembly and presented the flag to the training instructors. Zhou Yongchang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the University’s Armed Forces Department, addressed the assembly. Fifty-five instructors from Unit 31699 of the People's Liberation Army, along with representatives from each school, all 2026 freshmen advisors, and the students, participated in the event.
The assembly began with a solemn flag-raising ceremony. As the majestic national anthem played, the bright five-star red flag rose slowly. All teachers and students stood in silence, their hearts filled with patriotism.
On behalf of the university, Zhou Yongchang expressed gratitude to the instructors from Unit 31699 and all faculty and staff supporting the training. He noted that 2026 marks the start of the university’s 15th Five- Year Plan and a critical year for deepening digital and intelligent transformation and building industry-education hubs. He urged all students to stay focused on the goals of the 15th Five-Year Plan, bravely embrace challenges, and complete the training to a high standard. Zhou encouraged students to:
Strengthen ideological conviction – Cultivate loyalty and patriotism, turning patriotic fervor into firm beliefs.
Develop disciplined conduct – Hone a strong work ethic, strictly observe rules, and embody the university’s philosophy: "First become a person of integrity, then a talent."
Embrace learning and innovation – Align personal growth with the university’s digital transformation, and turn the perseverance gained from training into motivation to use AI tools to enhance learning.
Build team spirit – Unite and strive forward together. He hoped students would meet challenges with enthusiasm, laying a solid foundation for future academic studies and industry practice.
Xu Chao, the lead instructor, stated that all instructors would strictly follow military training discipline, lead by example, train scientifically, and treat students with respect, setting a positive example and ensuring the training’s success.
Bai Ziyuan, a 2026 student from the School of Economics and Management, led all trainees in a solemn oath: obey all commands, strictly follow discipline, train diligently, temper their will, and forge their youth. They then shouted in unison the youthful pledge: "Strong youth make a strong nation—rest assured, the Party, we are ready!"—demonstrating the high morale of the new generation of university students.
The blazing sun tests their resolve, and sweat nourishes their youth. Their orderly steps echo youthful brilliance, and their resonant chants reflect their vigor. This is an essential lesson in life—the shining students of our university. Every moment of persistence builds strength; every challenge shapes a better self. May students take this training as a starting point: turn sweat into nourishment for growth, internalize discipline as the foundation for progress, transform through challenges, and mature through hardship. We believe that all trainees will deliver outstanding results, get off to a great start in their university life, and write their own brilliant chapter in the university’s new journey of high-quality development during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Translated by Basic Course Department
