On August 31st, Guizhou University warmly welcomed its first group of undergraduate students for 2024. The campus buzzed with excitement as young people filled the air with vibrant energy, their smiling faces bringing a refreshing spirit to the surroundings.

Booths and tents for newcomers were set up across the campus—some in front of the library on the West Campus, near Yuehu Lake, and others at the basketball court and dining hall on the South Campus. Eye-catching banners conveyed a heartfelt welcome. Many parents accompanied their children, carrying suitcases and heavy backpacks. New students lined up to complete their registration forms, while volunteers were on hand to assist. The scene was busy yet orderly, with students navigating the registration, accommodation, and banking processes with ease, quickly feeling at home in their new environment.

In the afternoon, Song Bao'an, President of Guizhou University and an academician, along with Zhang Jie, Deputy Secretary of the CPC GZU Committee, visited the orientation sites on both campuses. They provided guidance for the orientation activities and received updates on progress, including security measures. Song Bao'an praised the staff for their efforts and encouraged everyone to deliver excellent service to ensure a smooth orientation experience for the students and their parents.

To extend a warm welcome, Song Bao'an and Zhang Jie visited the orientation booths of each college, taking the time to engage with new students and their families. In a designated break area for parents, Song Bao'an chatted with them, asking about their hometowns, their children's majors, the enrollment process, and any challenges they faced.

Song Bao'an was pleased with the positive feedback from parents, who expressed appreciation for the university's orientation efforts and support. He thanked them for choosing Guizhou University and assured them that the institution is dedicated to helping students grow and succeed through quality education and services, ensuring that everyone feels confident in their decision.

Seeing the freshmen full of enthusiasm, Song Bao'an and Zhang Jie engaged with them warmly. Song Bao'an encouraged the students to cherish this opportunity and study diligently, sharing his own experiences and wishing them an enjoyable university life. Zhang Jie expressed his hope that each student would find their place in the "big family" of Guizhou University and create their own remarkable stories through hard work and perseverance.

The sun shone brightly, and the summer heat lingered. University volunteers were enthusiastic and attentive, assisting with luggage, providing directions, taking photos, and offering support. Song Bao'an praised their dedicated service. Freshman Li Yueqian remarked, "The people at the orientation site are very friendly, helping us with directions and patiently answering our questions." Hu Dongcheng added, "The volunteers were incredibly enthusiastic, making us feel welcomed and cared for."

Additionally, the orientation point set up a special green channel to assist new students facing challenges during enrollment. Song Bao'an and Zhang Jie presented gift bags to students from economically disadvantaged families in this channel and took photos with them. Guizhou University prioritizes financial support for students in need, establishing a comprehensive financial aid system that includes national student loans, scholarships, work-study assistance, tuition and accommodation waivers, temporary hardship aid, and social subsidies. Following the principle of "help as much as possible and provide accurate funding," the university effectively implements various financial assistance policies to ensure that no student is deprived of education due to financial difficulties.

To foster a supportive atmosphere, Guizhou University Radio launched a special program to send best wishes from seniors to new students. The message resonated across the campus: "Carrying a bag and stepping into a new world, time never stops, and the only way to become what you aspire to be is to do what you must." At the orientation site, a display titled "A Letter from Guizhou University Youth League" stood out, and an electronic screen showed real-time updates on "Guizhou University 2024 Orientation Data." The University Student Art Troupe and Guizhou University Yi Ban performed vibrant singing, dancing, and musical acts, captivating many new students and their parents with their energetic performances.

As the new students stepped onto campus, they were filled with joy and hope for the future. Freshman Lu Kun shared, "Since junior high, I've dreamed of attending Guizhou University, and now that I'm here for the first time, I feel incredibly excited and amazed!" Freshman Deng Ran added, "I hope to learn new skills and grow during my time at university. I plan to join the student union and participate in a couple of clubs."

According to Yu Ying, Director of the Admission and Career Office at Guizhou University, the university welcomed 9,259 new students in 2024 from 31 provinces, including autonomous regions and municipalities, as well as from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. This total includes 8,619 general undergraduates, 310 ethnic minority students in pre-university programs, and 330 pursuing a second bachelor's degree. The average score for general admissions (excluding special categories such as military, Chinese-foreign cooperation, arts, and sports) has shown a steady increase above the minimum required scores, indicating an overall improvement in the quality of students from outside the province. The top three provinces for out-of-province admissions are Hunan, Hebei, and Sichuan, while the leading regions within Guizhou include the cities of Zunyi and Tongren, along with the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture.

Undergraduate freshmen are expected to register between August 31 and September 1. Zhang Xiaobin, director of the Party Committee's Graduate Work Department, noted that 5,676 new graduate students were admitted for the class of 2024, with registration taking place centrally on August 30.

Long Wen, Head of the Student Work Department, explained that to ensure a smooth orientation process, the university's party secretary and president lead the orientation committee, with the deputy secretary serving as the executive deputy head. They developed a detailed orientation program, coordinating various departments to facilitate the process. During orientation, the university arranged 20 vehicles and organized over 100 student volunteers to meet new students at key transportation hubs like Guiyang Railway Station, Guiyangbei Railway Station, Guiyangdong Railway Station, and Jinyang Bus Station. They streamlined check-in procedures to provide a one-stop service, helping new students complete their registration quickly. Once on campus, new students will engage in a variety of educational activities, including national defense education, school pride, safety education, campus management, professional introductions, and mental health awareness.

Youth knows no bounds, and this is the perfect time for growth. The Class of 2024 is starting a fresh chapter in their lives, and we believe they will embody the spirit of Guizhou University—"Foster Illustrious Virtue; Pursue Excellence; Strive for Perfection; Rich in Knowledge and Tenacious of Purpose"—as they face new challenges with confidence, determination, and courage.

Editor: Zhang Chan

Chief Editor: Li Xufeng

Senior Editor: Ding Long

Translator: Li Xiaorong