On September 27, the "An Appointment with the Ocean" First Lesson for 2026 undergraduate freshmen of the College of Marine Science and Engineering was successfully held in the Bangjian Lecture Hall. Wang Weiyi, Secretary of the College Party Committee; Feng Daolun, Deputy Party Secretary and Dean of the College; Dong Chaoqun, Deputy Party Secretary of the College; Shao Liang, alumni representative of the Port, Waterway and Coastal Engineering major, Class of 2009; Huang Shiyu, teacher from the Marine Materials Department; department heads of all majors; Lei Mengyu and Zhang Enbo, counsellors for the 2026 freshmen attended the event. The activity was hosted by counsellor Gao Rui, and all 2026 undergraduate freshmen of the college took part in the lesson.
Under the title Herd the Sea and Listen to the Waves, Chase Dreams Riding the Tides, Wang Weiyi, Secretary of the College Party Committee, delivered the first lesson to all 2026 undergraduate freshmen. Following the historical context of the development of China’s nautical undertaking, Secretary Wang led the freshmen to review the glorious achievements of ancient maritime civilizations and the profound lessons of weak coastal defence in modern times. He outlined the arduous journey of China’s naval development, marine science and technology, and marine economy since the founding of the People’s Republic of China — growing from scratch and from weakness to strength, and elaborated on the contemporary connotation of the maritime power strategy and the educational mission of universities.
With stories of breakthroughs of national key equipment including the Xuelong series polar research vessels and domestic large cruise ships Modu and Huacheng, Secretary Wang interpreted the spirit of persistent research and bold commitment to missions. He also guided the students on practical issues concerning youth growth, encouraging all freshmen to strengthen their ideals and convictions, foster a deep sense of devotion to the country, identify their direction for life-long endeavour, chase their dreams and thrive on the blue track of building a powerful maritime nation.
The activity kicked off with the micro-documentary Journey of a Blueberry, jointly produced by the university and Xinhua News Agency. The long journey of the tiny blueberry across mountains and seas symbolizes the academic journey of the 2026 freshmen who have travelled from all corners of the country to join the College of Marine Science and Engineering.
At the event, Dean Feng Daolun gave a comprehensive introduction to the college’s major layout, faculty and research teams, and summarized the disciplinary development and scientific research progress of the college. This helped freshmen gain a full and multi-dimensional understanding of the college, filling them with anticipation for the upcoming professional studies.
During the "An Appointment with the Ocean" round-table discussion, Dean Feng Daolun, Teacher Huang Shiyu from the Marine Materials Department, alumnus Shao Liang and Sun Hao, senior student representative, shared growth stories of people from the College of Marine Science and Engineering from multiple perspectives: ideological expectations, scientific research practice, frontline industry experience and student development.
Combining the growth pattern of university students and the college’s educational orientation, Dean Feng sent earnest messages to the freshmen. He stated that only by taking learning as a lifelong habit and spiritual pursuit can students keep pace with cutting-edge advances and forge steadily forward amid the rapidly evolving industry.
Starting with the localized R&D of key steel plates for the polar icebreaker Xuelong 2, Teacher Huang Shiyu shared her experience in scientific research. She advised freshmen to consolidate their professional foundations, stay committed to their passion amid confusion and setbacks, and strive for new heights in scientific research.
Drawing on his first-hand experience participating in the construction of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge, alumnus Shao Liang, from the frontline of the industry, talked about capability building during college and the connection between professional knowledge and industrial demands. He shared both opportunities and realistic challenges in the marine industry, providing valuable references for the freshmen’s future career development.
Sun Hao, the senior student representative, shared insights on academic planning and balancing study and practice. He encouraged junior students to cherish every moment in college and make steady progress.
In the Q&A session, Wu Wenhui, a freshman majoring in port, waterway and coastal engineering, raised questions about the core competitiveness of the major. The guests answered them one by one based on the college’s major construction achievements and industrial development, creating a highly interactive atmosphere.
After the round-table discussion, all 2026 freshmen stood up, raised their right fists and took the freshman oath together. The solemn oath echoed through the hall. It represents not only the sincere inheritance and firm guardianship of the dream of building a powerful maritime nation, but also a profound remembrance and faithful practice of the mission entrusted by the times.
The sea breeze sets the prelude, and a new chapter unfolds. With mountains and oceans in heart, they chase dreams riding the waves. The college will keep focusing on the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education, make full use of important time nodes to deepen students’ recognition of their majors, and transform a sense of ceremony into students’ sense of mission and internal motivation. All students of the college will keep the earnest instructions from teachers in mind, march forward courageously toward the frontiers of science and technology and the needs of the nation, and contribute their youthful wisdom and strength to the great cause of building powerful maritime and shipping nations!
Figure 1 Secretary of the Party Committee Wang Weiyi Delivers the First Lesson for the New Semester
Figure 2 Dean Feng Daolun Introduces an Overview of the College of Marine Science and Engineering
Figure 3 An Appointment with the Ocean — Round-table Discussion
Figure 4 Scene of the First Lesson for 2026 Undergraduate Freshmen
