On January 30, SUES celebrated its 2026 “Faculty and Students Welcome the Chinese New Year” gathering at the Chengyuan Restaurant on Songjiang Campus. More than 200 faculty members and students who stayed on campus over the vacation gathered together to savor festive flavors, share a moment of reunion, and embark on a new journey. The event was attended by Luan Zongtao, Deputy Director-General of the Department of Academic Degree Management and Postgraduate Education of Ministry of Education, Deputy Director of the Academic Degrees Committee Office of the State Council, and Deputy Director-General of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission; Li Jiang, Secretary of the CPC SUES Committee; Lou Yongqi, President of SUES; Xu Yang, Wang Yansong, and Xia Chunming, Vice Presidents of SUES; and Yu Yelun, Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Division of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission.
Luan Zongtao extended Chinese New Year greetings to all SUES faculty and students on behalf of Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and acknowledged the university’s active contributions to the broader landscape of higher education development in Shanghai. He noted that in 2025, Shanghai’s higher education sector had achieved notable progress in breakthroughs in key core technologies, forward-looking academic discipline layout, and industry-education integration. He highlighted that SUES has proactively aligned itself with Shanghai’s “3+6” modern industrial system, deeply embedding the “3-wings” concept into talent cultivation and scientific research, thus advancing industry-education integration from merely “serving industries” to “collaboration and leadership.” This has allowed the university to supply substantial numbers of well-suited talents for key sectors in Shanghai, demonstrating its determination to become a world-class application-oriented university. Luan expressed that 2026 marks the start of the 15th Five-Year Plan period and reaffirmed the Commission’s continued support for SUES, expressing hope that the university would cultivate more outstanding talents with both national consciousness and global vision, injecting stronger momentum into Shanghai’s urban development and China’s pursuit of educational excellence.
The festive spirit filled the venue as Li Jiang, together with four student representatives, cut the “Galloping to Success” Chinese New Year cake, officially opening the celebration. The sweet cake carried best wishes for the Year of the Horse, as faculty and students shared the warmth and sweetness of the season, building solidarity through laughter and joy as they welcomed the new year together.
Lou Yongqi extended Chinese New Year greetings on behalf of SUES to the leaders from Shanghai Municipal Education Commission and all faculty and students. He outlined the university’s landmark achievements in 2025 and emphasized that SUES is steadfastly following the pathway of “one year for posture adjustment, three years for smooth progress, and ten years for full establishment,” striving to build a world-class application-oriented university with distinctive industrial characteristics. In 2026, the university will continue to focus on service and contribution, deepen talent cultivation reform, optimize campus service guarantees, advance strategic goals, and enhance the sense of fulfillment and happiness among faculty and students. He expressed confidence that in the journey toward world-class status, SUES members would demonstrate their distinctive vigor and style.
The celebration featured a rich and vibrant program full of youthful energy and festive warmth: a chorus of “Heaven Glorifies China” resounded with uplifting voices; a counselor runway show titled “Galloping with Aspirations, Stepping Forward with Dreams” showcased the dynamic spirit of educators; a string quartet performance “Joy of the New Year” brought a strong festive atmosphere through melodious tunes; international students’ Chinese-English medley won resounding applause. Faculty and students came together to paint a heartwarming scene of reunion. A song medley, “Light Along the Path, Blooming in Spring,” captured the hopeful aspirations for the new year; the ethnic dance “Pomegranate Blossoms” radiated the beauty of unity and cultural integration; a bamboo flute solo, “Whipping Horses to Transport Grain Busily,” portrayed the joy of harvest through lively rhythms; a faculty-student dance “Spring Beat Carnival” electrified the audience with vibrant energy, repeatedly bringing the atmosphere to climax.
“Chengle · Warm Encounters”: Traditional cultural activities such as writing Spring Festival couplets, paper-cutting of Fu characters, and intangible cultural heritage crafts allowed faculty and students to immerse themselves in the unique charm of Chinese New Year customs. A special exhibition of student innovation achievements in science and technology enabled participants to experience creative vitality up close. “Chenyun · Five Continents Welcoming Spring”: Interactive segments such as festive check-ins, fun sports activities, Chinese New Year messages, and cross-national greeting stations helped bridge gaps among students and faculty from different countries and academic backgrounds, drawing them closer through laughter and creating bonds of reunion.
Through this warm gathering, SUES brought the comfort of “home” to faculty and students spending the winter vacation on campus, while injecting positive energy into the endeavors of the new year. During the event, attending leaders distributed “New Year Care Packages” and “Festival Love Meal Vouchers” to student representatives, conveying the university’s care and warmth to every student.
Throughout the winter break, SUES will continue to carry out a series of student support initiatives, ensuring that SUES students enjoy a safe, harmonious, and fulfilling Spring Festival.
