Autumn is here and the new academic year has started! The School of Science and Engineering has organized a variety of orientation activities, both online and in-person, to introduce incoming students and their families to SSE’s research endeavors, academic disciplinary structure, and other defining features. Without further ado, let's take a look back at the SSE orientation series for the upcoming students!

2022 Coffee Chat

Recently, the early birds on campus were treated to a terrific SSE Coffee Chat around the TD building. During the three-hour event, the new students were divided into groups according to their professional interests and met with Professor Bowen Xiao, Assistant Dean of SSE (Student Affairs), Mr. Yishen Fang, Director of School Affairs, and faculty members and students from the ten SSE majors. It was a wonderful opportunity for freshmen to learn more about the academic offerings of the School and to begin networking with their teachers and peers.

SSE Major Declaration Information Session for 2022 Cohort

The School of Science and Engineering has recently hosted a hybrid event for all incoming Science Pilot Programme students, where they were given an in-depth introduction to the School's development, research strengths, academic offerings, and faculty. In addition to the chairs and faculty members of each major, this information session was also attended by SSE Dean Ben Zhong TANG, as well as Assistant Deans Tsung-Hui Chang (Education), Bowen Xiao (Student Affairs), and Yan Zhou (Research). During the Q&A session, they attentively responded to each question posed by the engaged students, stimulating in-depth discussions on SSE programs and professions. Check it now for playback videos!

SSE Orientation

With the arrival of the new students, orientation and registration activities at SSE have officially begun. First-year college students are always brimming with anticipation, much like a baby bird that has just lost its feathers and opened its wings for the first time. To actively meet this need, the School adorned the TD building with a number of informational exhibition boards. They cover everything there is to know about SSE and include the School's genuine expectations for each new student. It is our hope that each and every one of them will mature and grow into the person they truly want to be during their four years at SSE, CUHK-Shenzhen.

As one of the pillars of The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, the School of Science and Engineering is built on a solid foundation of research and fruitful research accomplishments. To highlight this strength, the directors of several research teams and laboratories at SSE were scheduled to present their work to prospective students and their families in an approachable and informative manner. A more in-depth description of the School's academic and research development was also provided by a number of SSE professors and teachers on site.

More introductory displays about SSE can be found in the exhibition halls and showrooms, which inform prospective students and their families about the School's academic programs, research accomplishments, outstanding employment and admission data, undergraduate thesis releases, and more. In addition, SSE has set up a number of interesting and interactive exhibits, such as the "Gathering Luminescence Experiment," which allows visitors to experience the spectacular beauty created when chemical elements collide; the "CUHK-Shenzhen Metaverse," a homemade campus exploration game that allows players to explore the campus in a fun and relaxing way; the "Intelligent Logistics Demonstration System," which bring people an immersive experience of the "evolutionary leap" of high-precision and highly intelligent technology; and AI Robt, which is a masterpiece combining visual technology and decision optimization. Each of the exhibits, which appear basic but are exhilarating in action, is certain to excite the students and provide a glimpse of the particular allure of each profession.

2022 SSE New Student Orientation

SSE 2022 New Student Orientation is a series of events designed to break the ice with new students through engaging games and lectures. Officially kicked off on the third day of the orientation week, the event has left wonderful memories for the students and laid a solid foundation for a long-lasting bond among students and faculty at SSE.

As soon as the students arrived at the 3rd floor of the School, they could see the colorful orientation boards, which indicated the enthusiasm and hope of SSE for the new students. The seniors have been waiting here for a long time to distribute lovely stickers. These inventive and artistic stickers not only appealed to the interests of the incoming students, but also helped them bond with one another at SSE.

The SSE Wishing Wall was located close to the check-in counter. Here, first-years recorded their hopes and dreams for the future, whether inspired by their exploration of the unfamiliar campus, their struggle to adjust to the complexities of college life, or their anticipation of a brighter future.

Following check-in, the new students entered the classroom sporting their group's unique and entertaining stickers. Various intense and fun icebreaker activities were prepared for them, including a name toss game that tested memory and agility, a life track line game in which they shared significant milestones in their lives, and so on.  From these games, the new students have gained a greater understanding of the school as well as their future.

One of the highlights of the afternoon sessions was a live online meeting with the School's upper administration, who graciously extended their warmest welcome and  best wishes to the incoming freshmen. Among the attendees were SSE Dean Professor Benzhong Tang, Associate Dean Professor Jianwei Huang (Education), Assistant Dean Professor Yan Zhou (Research), Assistant Dean Professor Qi Zhang (External Affairs) and Assistant Dean Professor Tsung-Hui Chang (Education).

The first speaker, Dean Ben Zhong TANG, welcomed and blessed all the students who had been accepted to CUHK-Shenzhen following their hard work. Then, he gave a brief overview of the academic programs available at SSE, and highlighted the numerous prestigious international institutions and research labs with which SSE maintains close ties in order to facilitate international exchange opportunities for high-achieving students. To conclude, the Dean quoted Isaac Newton's “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants”, and expressed his confidence that students will flourish, take opportunities, and mature into their full potential at SSE.

The next speaker was Professor Jianwei Huang, Associate Dean of SSE (Education). First of all, he wished all students a fulfilling and happy four years at SSE. Then, he shared his views on college life, stating, "College will mark a new beginning for you, and with it will come a whole new set of obstacles. You used to worry about which college to attend; now, you have to consider where your field of study is headed. Learning to open your mind to new ideas is a crucial skill to develop during your time at university." Huang remarked that students who opt to study at CUHK-Shenzhen must be well aware of the school's strong linkages to the rest of the world. "The following four years will present a fresh challenge for students as they learn how to chart their own course in uncertain times while making the most of the excellent academic foundation the institution provides," said Huang.

Professor Yan Zhou, Assistant Dean of SSE (Research), discussed aspects of research in his address. He stated that while it is essential to maintain a high GPA during the four years of college, it is also essential to select the right research project. Therefore, he urged students to engage in in-depth discussions with professors after class, to attend the weekly seminars and lectures of SSE professors, and to establish a solid foundation during their freshman and sophomore years, which is essential for determining the direction of their research projects for future education and employment.

Professor Qi Zhang, Assistant Dean of SSE (External Affairs), then discussed the superiority of SSE. In his opinion, the School of Science and Engineering at CUHK-Shenzhen has distinct advantages over other famous academic institutions. One of them is the strong research team and exceptional academic resources. The second is the strong cooperation programs between the School and internationally famous universities, which offer students access to the most cutting-edge international research projects, joint initiatives, and academic research platforms.

Prof. Tsung-Hui Chang, Assistant Dean of SSE (Education), then provided a full description of SSE's major direction, study plan, add/drop policies, and credit exemption regulations. At the end, he also expressed his expectation for the follow-up communication and interaction with the students.

The final speaker was Mr. Yishen Fang, Director of School Affairs, who spoke about the leave procedure, course quality surveys, career development support, as well as academic integrity. He requested all current freshmen to sign the Academic Integrity Pledge in the hopes that students would fully grasp the university's zero-tolerance policy on academic cheating.

The next day, students were involved in an animated conversation with SSE's academic mentors. The unique academic mentor system at CUHK-Shenzhen is designed to allow each professor to work closely with a set number of first-year students, assisting them in every facet of their academic and university experience. After an introduction, a process of mutual selection was carried out between the students and mentors. We look forward to more and deeper interactions between them in the future!

Along with the laughter of the students, the 2022 SSE New Student Orientation finally came to an end. Students were then given an assignment to submit their own study plans at SSE, which not only served as a formative assessment of their learning over the previous two days but also stimulated lively class debate. At the end of the day, SSE held a quiz game on academic integrity and undergraduate academic regulations. Each group that answered a specified number of questions correctly was awarded a prize by the School.

SSE "Family" Photo

Once again, we would like to extend our sincerest welcome to all SSE new students. Following your passions, realizing your aspirations, and excelling at the School are all things we wish for each and every one of you. Hold on to your dreams and enjoy your four years at SSE.