In the golden autumn of September, a new chapter in the journey of LCC begins. On September 13, the new postgraduate students of 2026 session from the China-UK Low Carbon College (LCC) of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU) attended the university’s opening ceremony for the 2026 session as a group. They listened attentively to the keynote address delivered by Ding Kuiling, President of SJTU and an Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, as well as the “First Lesson for New Students” delivered by Yang Zhenbin, Party Secretary of SJTU.

On the afternoon of September 14, LCC held the opening ceremony for 2026 new postgraduate students with great pomp on the eighth floor of the Information and Library Building. Geng Yong, Dean of LCC; Guo Liang, Chief of LCC; Lou Ziyang, Vice Dean; Dong Xue, Vice Dean; as well as the teaching staff of LCC and all first-year postgraduate students of 2026 session attended the ceremony. The opening ceremony was hosted by Lou Ziyang.

The ceremony began with the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China.

Geng Yong delivered a welcome address and the Dean’s first lesson for the new students. Drawing on the global trends towards green and low-carbon transition and technological transformation, he outlined the distinctive approach to education of LCC, characterized by interdisciplinary research, internationalization and the integration of industry and education. He offered the following advice to the new students: embrace interdisciplinary study and cultivate innovation capabilities empowered by digital technology; immerse yourselves in the front lines of industry to achieve the unity of knowledge and action; and make rational and prudent use of AI tools, whilst upholding academic integrity and independent thinking. He expressed hope that the students will align their personal aspirations with the nation’s “Dual Carbon” initiative and develop into well-rounded professionals who combine a sense of responsibility with an international outlook.

Dong Xue delivered a speech as the representative of LCC academic supervisors. She pointed out that artificial intelligence is transforming the paradigm of scientific research, but that a solid foundation in one’s discipline remains the basis for independent judgement. She encouraged the students to make good use of technology, ground their work in practice, maintain their curiosity, strike a balance between their studies and personal lives, and identify a long-term direction for their endeavours.

At the ceremony, Guo Liang presented certificates of appointment as postgraduate class tutors to Dong Chunyang, Yao Fei and Song Dongping, and the scholarship award ceremony for postgraduate freshmen was held to recognize outstanding new students.

Student representatives took the floor in turn. Zhuang Yan, a new master’s student of LCC, shared his experience from his undergraduate studies and military service, expressing his commitment to delving deeply into “Dual Carbon” research and fulfilling his original aspiration to serve the nation; Zhang Jingwen, a new PhD student of LCC, spoke of the need to face the uncertainties of research head-on and to boldly explore uncharted territory during his doctoral studies; He Yuqi, the representative of LCC current students, drew on her own experience of pursuing a dual degree at the University of Edinburgh and her practical experience in industry-academia-research collaboration to encourage the younger peers to remain grounded in China and the local community, gain a deep understanding of the practical contradictions in China’s industrial transformation, whilst also looking to the global stage to understand the climate governance demands of diverse stakeholders, and to choose a meaningful life’s work.

Guo Liang delivered the first lecture as the Chief of LCC. She encouraged the new students not only to become the participants in the tide of changing times, but also to integrate their “individual selves” into the “greater good” of the national development, thereby becoming SJTUers who courageously shoulder their missions; she urged them to maintain their imagination and creativity, hone their resilience, and become pillars of strength in their respective fields; and she advised them to cultivate a habit of lifelong exercise, so that, with strong minds and bodies, they could devote themselves to scientific research and strive to become the backbone of the low-carbon cause.

The ceremony drew to a close with a group photo of all staff and students. The new students of 2026 session will uphold the university motto, "Gratitude to Origins, Patriotism to Prosper Alma Mater" , devote themselves to their studies and strive for progress, writing a new chapter of the youth in the new era on the vast stage of a green and low-carbon future.

Following the ceremony, LCC organized the academic guidance session, student affairs briefing and ice-breaking class meeting for the 2026 session. Ms Xie Lewei from the Academic Affairs Office outlined the procedures for selecting academic supervisors and enrolling on courses, whilst Ms Liu Chang provided a systematic overview of the workflow and requirements for Master’s and PhD dissertations. Mr Fu Yilai summarized the overall academic affairs of LCC and answered questions from the new students on the spot. Ms Zhang Ying from the Student Affairs Office shared information on the work of Party building, Communist Youth League and student union activities, career guidance and campus life, and oversaw the election of class committee for the new session. She expressed her hope that everyone would adapt to the new environment as quickly as possible, continue to explore during their valuable times as students, and expand the boundless possibilities in their lives.

On September 12, LCC organized the registration and induction process for the 2026 new students in Room 222 of the Chen Ruiqiu Building on SJTU Minhang Campus. New students from across the country arrived in succession and, guided by staff from the Academic Affairs Office and the Student Affairs Office as well as volunteers, had their documents verified, completed the necessary formalities and collected their welcome packs. The registration process proceeded in an orderly manner, the new students have felt the warm welcome extended by SJTU and LCC.