On August 27, the Institute of Nuclear and New Energy Technology (INET) hosted the opening ceremony to welcome the fresh graduates. About 110 students embarked their new journey at INET in 2024.
Prof. ZHANG Zuoyi, the Director of INET, extended a warm welcome to the fresh students on behalf of the institute. In his speech, he emphasized that INET is always mandated to serve the key strategic needs of the country in the field of energy. We can see the renewed importance of sustainable and large-scale energy supply in the current crucial period of global low-carbon energy transition, in particular with the rapid development of artificial intelligence. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has also led more and more people to deeply reflect on the significance of energy security. What role should INET play in this historical period? INET has achieved its commendable milestone by putting the HTR-PM demonstration Nuclear Power Plant in Shandong into commercial operation in 2023. Zhang said that it is just the right time for the students to join INET. He encouraged them to cherish their time, seize opportunities, remain grounded, and pursue truth and practicality. He emphasized the importance of growing through hands-on research, and expressed his hope that INET graduates should become leaders with social commitment in the future.
Mr. LIU Zheng, a doctoral student, spoke on behalf of all higher-grade students to the fresh students. His speech covered four key points: "research - cooperation and exchange", "team - affiliation and friendship", "growth - experience accumulation and self-cultivation", and "future - inheritance and development". Based on his four years of research and social service experiences, he made pertinent suggestions for the fresh students in their study and campus life. He said: “I hope that you will inherit and carry forward the spirit of our institute, keep in mind the Tsinghua motto ‘Continuous Self-improvement, and Social Commitment’, and align your career goal with that of our nation. Hopefully you can make great achievements in the vast world of our nation.”
Ms. LEI Jinhong spoke on behalf of the fresh students. She shared the dreams and heroism inspired by Mr. HUANG Xuhua, an academician and the chief designer of nuclear submarines, who dedicates his life to our country. She said that she would keep in mind the professors' ardent expectations and strive to "communicate more and dare to question authority" in the future. She also expressed her willingness to meet challenges, endure loneliness, and work hand in hand with her classmates to grow into an excellent student with comprehensive knowledge and strong research capabilities.
Prof. TONG Jiejuan introduced the distribution of the fresh students including 72 doctoral students and 41 master students, who graduated from 47 universities or colleges. They are involved in five first-level disciplines and one professional category.
After the ceremony, Prof. Zhang delivered the first class titled as “Development and Peaceful Use of Nuclear Energy” for the fresh students. Zhang also shared with the students his experiences in the conversion process from science and technology to engineering. He introduced the characteristics and complexity of engineering projects, as well as the methods to address engineering problems. At last, Zhang put forward three requests to the students: broadening the knowledge range, becoming a nuclear and radiation practitioner, and making the leap from science and technology to engineering.
