Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU)'s new student orientation for over 4,700 undergraduate and graduate students took place on Sept 2. The students and their parents, the school's executives and faculty representatives were present.

XJTLU Executive President Xi Youmin welcomed the new cohort of students and their parents from 31 provinces (municipalities, autonomous regions) in the country and those from other countries and regions. In his speech, he encouraged the students to make full use of XJTLU's open-minded atmosphere and outstanding resources and opportunities to "learn, study and experience different cultures", instead of being "giant babies" that refer to people who are biologically adults but whose psychological and social maturity resembles that of an infant.

Thomas Palecek, a senior student from Austria, spoke on behalf of the graduate students, welcoming the new comers and sharing with them his feelings about the school.

Dr. Pawel Zygadlo from Department of China Studies gave a speech on behalf of the teachers. He offered the new students suggestions on how to cope with challenges they may face in their future study.

Professor Tao Wenquan, president of XJTLU, offered his good wishes to the new student cohort, saying, "I wish all the students a year full of progress, curiosity, discovery and creativity. I also wish all of us a new academic year of health and success."

Over the next two hours, the school's executives answered questions from the students and their parents.