On September 1st, Shenzhen Polytechnic University welcomed 560 new undergraduates from the Class of 2024. This year, the university's undergraduate programs expanded their recruitment to include six provinces and autonomous regions: Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, and Guangxi, admitting a total of 560 students.

President Xu Jianling Engages with New Students

Early in the morning, Xu Jianling, the university's Party Secretary and President, along with Vice President Dong Chaojun and other department heads, visited the freshman registration points. They greeted the incoming undergraduates of the Class of 2024 and expressed their appreciation to the faculty and staff involved in the orientation activities.

"Why did you choose Shenzhen Polytechnic University?" At the freshman registration points for the School of Undergraduate Education and the Future Technologies Institute, President Xu Jianling engaged with Zhou Yingtong, a freshman from the Class of 2024 in the Experimental Class of Electronic Information Engineering. Zhou mentioned that the university's strong faculty, advanced research equipment, and scientific training programs were key factors in her decision to choose Shenzhen Polytechnic University. President Xu Jianling warmly inquired about her expectations for university life, encouraging her to seize opportunities, engage in broad learning, and delve deeply into her studies. He advised her to immerse herself in the rapidly developing city of Shenzhen to enrich her knowledge, enhance her skills, and make the most of her university experience. Inspired by the President's encouragement, Zhou was excited and full of anticipation for her university life, confident that she would gain strength and achieve personal growth at Shenzhen Polytechnic University. At the registration point for the School of Integrated Circuit, President Xu Jianling took a close look at the freshmen's admission and dormitory arrangements, and provided suggestions for improving the orientation process. He visited booths showcasing three different programs, explaining the third-semester projects of the Class of 2023 undergraduates to the new students and their parents, and praised the students for their practical applications and impressive results. At the Innovation and Creative Design Institute’s registration point, President Xu Jianling carefully inquired about the freshmen’s places of origin, their impressions of the university, and their plans for future study and life. He encouraged them to actively understand their chosen field, integrate into the university and industry, and use design to create better user experiences. He urged them to strengthen their professional knowledge and skills while also developing their overall qualities, ensuring a fulfilling and enriching university experience.

The smart display at the registration point shows real-time updates on the check-in status.

New students leave their unique fingerprints on the Growth Fingerprint Tree.

Smart Welcome: A Personalized Ceremony for New Students

Starting at 7 a.m., the registration points were bustling with activity. Staff and volunteers took their positions, greeting each of the 2024 undergraduate students with warm smiles and attentive service. This year's registration took place at the Xili Lake Campus Stadium, Xili Campus, Liuxiandong Campus's Zhixing Garden Building B, and the OCT Campus's Jimei Building. The venue was orderly, with every new student receiving a warm welcome from the staff and volunteers.

At the Xili Lake Campus Stadium, a large digital screen displayed real-time registration updates. New students could leave their "first impressions" of Shenzhen Polytechnic University by scanning a QR code. The registration process was streamlined, allowing students to complete all formalities, including signing in, leaving their unique fingerprints on the Growth Fingerprint Tree, uploading their impressions to the digital screen, visiting the professional exhibition areas, and writing a letter to themselves for four years later. The venue featured 12 professional booths with detailed information, dynamic presentations by faculty, and interactive displays of student projects, which helped new students quickly integrate into their programs and plan their university years effectively. Xu Tianle, a freshman from the Intelligent Connected Vehicle Engineering Technology program, remarked, "The trend toward automotive intelligence is significant. Applications like vehicle navigation and voice recognition are integrated into hardware programming, which I find incredibly exciting and look forward to studying."

At Zhixing Garden Building B in the Liuxiandong Campus, the Integrated Circuit School created a memorable experience with a "Starry Avenue" made of electronic components. Freshmen engaged in activities such as Dream Integration, Star Shine Integration, and Fixed Integration, which showcased the school's achievements in various competitions, highlighted advanced equipment at the Integrated Circuit Key Materials Research Institute, and provided a chance for memorable photo ops. The thoughtful setup of welcome activities helped clear any confusion and brought smiles to every new student's face. Cai Desen, a graduate of Shenzhen Foreign Languages School, was the first to arrive and eagerly took photos after completing his registration. He will soon begin his studies in Electronic Information Engineering Technology.

Twin brothers Zhou Junxuan and Zhou Junwei arrived at the university for registration.

On the first floor of the Jimei Building on the OCT Campus, a banner reading "Ignite Youth: WE Create Without Boundaries " and colorful stairs adorned with the university's emblem caught the attention of many 2024 freshmen. The clean and spacious campus environment impressed many, and the smart welcome screen displayed registration data in real-time. Interactive games and a photo wall created joyful moments for new students. This newly opened campus welcomed its first batch of undergraduates in Industrial Design from the Innovation and Creative Design School. The registration area, located on the ground floor of the dormitory building, offered a one-stop, hassle-free registration and move-in process. A team of student volunteers efficiently managed the welcome activities. The professional exhibition included tangible models, excellent graduation designs, and interactive product demos via QR codes. Zhou Junxuan, a freshman from Hubei Jingzhou and part of the first cohort at this campus, said, "When I learned Shenzhen Polytechnic University was enrolling in Hubei for the first time, my twin brother and I applied without hesitation. This program aligns perfectly with my aspirations, and Shenzhen represents the vibrant city of my dreams."

New students pose with their admission letters.

Faculty members explain the program details to new students.

Volunteers assist new students with moving their luggage.

The welcome event was well-organized and orderly.

Navigator Camp members assisted new students with their registration process.

Welcoming New Students with New Faces: Peer Support and Collaboration as They Embark on a New Journey

At the registration site, some of the2024 freshmen busy figures in work uniforms are members of the "Shenzhen Polytechnic University's Second Navigator Camp." Last year, the "Shenzhen Polytechnic University's First Navigator Camp" was successfully completed. This year, the second cohort of Navigator Camp members continued the "Welcoming New Faces" philosophy, enthusiastically participating in the orientation activities. From the 560 new undergraduates of the Class of 2024, 32 were selected as Navigator Camp members. They underwent a three-day training session before the official start of the semester. The Navigator Camp, themed "Welcoming New Faces, Pursuing Dreams at Shenzhen Polytechnic University," organized a variety of activities including ice-breaking sessions, campus exploration, and job training to help new students quickly integrate into the campus environment and actively participate in the orientation process.Liu Jiongbin, a Navigator Camp member from the Artificial Intelligence Engineering Technology program, remarked, "Seeing the busy figures of seniors and counselors, I realized that university is not just a place for learning but also a stage for personal growth and enhancing social skills. I look forward to broadening my horizons, developing my leadership and teamwork skills, and making wonderful new friends through actively participating in various activities."

The university has designated September 2nd to 6th as "Orientation Week," featuring campus tours, meetings with counselors, thematic educational lectures, academic development planning, dormitory agreements, and professional education seminars. These activities aim to build a sense of belonging, offer psychological and safety education, and provide career awareness for new students. Notably, the career awareness segment includes "Exploring Shenzhen and Visiting Leading Companies," which will guide the new students through visits to renowned Shenzhen companies like Kingdee, BYD, and TCL, embodying the pioneering spirit of the Special Economic Zone: daring to innovate, lead the way, and work diligently.

(Written by Li Xiangyu from the School of Undergraduate Education, Cheng Bowen from the Integrated Circuit School, Wen Wanhua from the Innovation and Creative Design School, and Xiao Hanyue from the Publicity Department. Photos by Zhang Lei, Yao Jiewen, Lin Huanda, and Zhang Xuzhe from the Publicity Department)