On September 17th, the opening ceremony of the 21st University Cultural and Art Festival “Youth in Full Bloom”, and the “Dreams Set Sail” 2025 University Freshman Welcoming Gala were held on the playground. The event was attended by Lian Jijian (University President and CPC Committee Secretary), Xu Rui (Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee), Chen Shengyong (Standing Committee Member of the CPC Committee and Vice President), Ye Ning (Standing Committee Member of the CPC Committee and Vice President), Wang Tie (Standing Committee Member of the CPC Committee and Vice President), Feng Hua (Head of the Supervisory Committee stationed at the University), and Su Ronghua (Standing Committee Member of the CPC Committee, Vice President, and Chairman of the Alumni Association). The main officials from concerned departments, colleges, and research institutes, along with faculty representatives, alumni representatives, and all freshmen of the Class of 2025, gathered to witness this celebration of youth. The event was live-streamed on multiple platforms, including the China University Student Online platform and the TUT Youth media account, attracting 50,000 viewers who collectively witnessed the commencement of new students in Tianjin University of Technology.
The gala commenced with the original song-and-dance performance “Youth in TUT.” The vibrant melodies and energetic performances vividly showcased the spirit of TUT students, who uphold the school motto of “Valuing Virtue and Capacity, Pursuing Truth and Innovation,” striving upward and pursuing their ideals.
Flags flew in splendor, vows were pledged with resolute voices. Student representatives from each college proclaimed their departmental mottos and well-wishes in resounding voices. Giant banners bearing the university emblem waved across the venue, instantly igniting a profound sense of “Love for our university and pride in its achievements” among faculty and students. Cheers and applause rang out without ceasing.
Encountering the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), Shining Tianjin’s Splendor. The original musical “Guide to Falling in Love with Tianjin 3: City of the SCO” employs diverse art forms including dance, crosstalk, and rap to immerse newcomers in an immersive experience of Tianjin’s unique charm and profound heritage as the host city of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit. It vividly showcased Tianjin’s inclusive spirit and contemporary elegance, blending ancient and modern traditions while connecting China with the world.
A series of youth anthems, such as “When The Sun Goes Down, The Moon Shines Bright” and “Burning Blood”, were performed in a song medley. With powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence, TUT students showcased the vibrant spirit of the new generation-unafraid of setbacks, bold in their aspirations, and driven by relentless ambition.
On the banks of the Yellow River, an aged suona master lifts his instrument—its piercing, melancholic melody intertwining with the rugged songs of the trackers, merging into a primal rhythm that breathes with the river’s own pulse. The dance “Suona” uses a blend of strength and grace in its movements to authentically portray the profound, fiery rhythms of life on the Loess Plateau, paying tribute to the enduring cultural heritage and spirit of craftsmanship passed down through generations.
The creative performance “Intangible Heritage in Full Bloom” brilliantly showcased TUT students embracing youth to unlock the door of intangible heritage. Through fashion shows, rap performances, martial arts demonstrations, and other artistic expressions, they shattered temporal and spatial barriers with innovative thinking, infusing China’s outstanding traditional culture with vibrant vitality. This performance achieved a “mutual pursuit” of cultural inheritance and youth responsibility.
The scene recitation “We March on the Great Road” was performed by teachers spanning three generations—senior, middle-aged, and young—from our school. The performance vividly recounted the school’s educational journey since its founding in 1979—a tale of relentless struggle through challenging times and the creation of brilliant chapters through unwavering dedication. It fondly reflected on generations of TUT educators who have devoted themselves to the cause of education and served the nation’s development. The performance expressed the entire faculty and student’s resolute conviction and lofty aspirations to strive for the “Double First-Class” initiative and embark on a new journey toward building China into an education power.
The gala featured a special surprise birthday segment filled with warmth and heartfelt moments. The University’s president and other administrative staffs extended sincere wishes and carefully prepared gifts to the Class of 2025 freshmen celebrating their birthdays on September 17th. Together, they shared a birthday cake, creating an atmosphere brimming with warmth and joy. The charm of TUT resides in its education—with universal love, we nurture talents; through education, we strengthen our Nation. The charm of TUT resides in its morality and proficiency—rooted in virtue, propelled by talent; forging an indelible spirit. The charm of TUT resides in its practically and innovation—guided by the spirit of seeking truth, being pragmatic, pioneering, and innovating, we chart our course forward. The charm of TUT resides in its vitality of the youth—Their vibrant presence and pioneering spirit radiate limitless potential. Marching in step with the university and striving in tandem with the nation, the students of Tianjin University of Technology are composing a youthful ode worthy of this era with the pen of their hard work.
The sci-tech innovation showcase, “The Dream Chasers of TUT: A Story of Innovation”, reimagines through dance how TUT students dedicate themselves to technological innovation and tackle tough challenges. It highlights the fruitful outcomes of the university’s innovation and entrepreneurship education, underpinned by its “Holistic Education” philosophy. Following the performance, faculty and student representatives shared their sci-tech innovation experiences, detailing how the university community aligns with national strategies and Tianjin’s developmental goals to contribute to socio-economic progress through sci-tech innovation.
“Dance Medley” features a selection of award-winning pieces from our university’s “The Rhythm of Dance” competition, showcasing the rich achievements of our university’s aesthetic education. Through fluid and dynamic movements, heartfelt emotion, and powerful stage presence, our students demonstrate the vibrant energy and confident spirit of TUT youth.
The scene recitation “Standing at the Forefront of the Motherland’s Needs” and the performance song “The Future is Mine” were staged. The cast was comprised of faculty and student representatives from various university initiatives, including resident village officials, the Graduate Student Teaching Corps, the 2025 Aid-Xinjiang Teaching Team, sci-tech innovation teams, intangible cultural heritage teams, youth volunteers, and retired university students. Through deeply expressive narration and a vigorous vocal performance, the performance showcased the inspiring stories of TUT staff and students responding to the demands of the times by proactively serving in western regions, working at the community level, committing to science and technology innovation, and engaging in the preservation of intangible cultural heritage.
As the gala drew to a close, the entire faculty and students joined in singing “In Your Great Arms,” expressing their profound love and praise for the motherland through song and bringing the atmosphere to a climax.
The gala featured a distinct theme, diverse performances, and heartfelt emotions. It served as both a showcase of TUT’s distinctive campus culture achievements and aesthetic education practices, as well as a vivid and profound “ideological and political education class.” The event fully demonstrated the cohesive and inspiring power of TUT’s campus culture development, opening a beautiful new chapter in university life for all incoming freshmen of the Class of 2025.
It is reported that our university’s 21st Campus Cultural and Art Festival will run for three months, featuring a series of events including a Freshman Talent Competition, Hosting Competition, Speech Contest, Debate Tournament, and Basketball Tournament. The festival will continue to build signature programs such as “High Art on Campus,” “Film on Campus,” and the “Radiance·Aesthetic Education” Cultural Month, fostering an immersive educational environment that cultivates students through culture and nurtures them through aesthetic education.
