On the afternoon of March 20, the 2025-2026 Scholarship Award Ceremony of the CCNU Wollongong Joint Institute was grandly held in the first-floor lecture hall of the Nanhu Complex Building. Distinguished guests attending the event included Dan Wu, Vice President of Central China Normal University; Tao Huang, Party Secretary of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Education; Xu Du, Dean of the Joint Institute; Xinlong Bao, Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Department; Yunwei Yu, Vice Dean of the Graduate School; Ming Wu, Deputy Director of the International Cooperation Department; and Fei Deng, Deputy Party Secretary of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Education. The award ceremony was hosted by Jun Xu, Vice Dean of the Joint Institute.
Vice President Dan Wu extended her warm congratulations to the award-winning students and expressed her high respect to all faculty members for their dedication to education. She noted that the Wollongong Joint Institute stands as a landmark achievement of the university’s internationalization efforts and forms an integral part of the Faculty of Artificial Intelligence in Education. By leveraging high-quality international resources to cultivate high-level innovative talents, the Institute embodies a vivid practice of implementing the nation’s strategy of opening up education. She emphasized that the university places great importance on the Institute’s development and has established special scholarships to motivate students to grow into outstanding talents in the field of information technology. In light of the mission of the times, she put forward three heartfelt hopes for all students: first, to set the "compass" for their life direction—nurturing patriotism and bearing in mind the university motto, integrating personal aspirations into the great cause of national rejuvenation; second, to build a "moat" of core competitiveness—devoting themselves to cutting-edge research, daring to tackle frontier challenges, and striving to become pillars of society; and third, to activate the "navigator" for their future—cherishing every learning opportunity, actively engaging in international exchanges, making China’s voice and CCNU’s voice heard on the broader world stage.
Xi Chen, a student from the Class of 2024 and National Scholarship recipient, shared his inspiring journey of transformation from the initial confusion to ultimately winning the National Scholarship. He expressed his gratitude for the Joint Institute's international platform and the guidance of his mentors. Recounting his exchange experience in Australia, where he overcame numerous challenges in pursuit of excellence. And he encouraged his fellow students to maintain their passion, stay grounded, and forge ahead with determination.
Liang Wu, a 2025 cohort student and Excellence Scholarship recipient, reflected on his transition and personal growth since enrollment. He thanked the Joint Institute for providing excellent resources and scholarship support. He encouraged his peers to cherish the experience of mutual promotion and collective growth, maintain the thirst for knowledge and the passion for exploration, striving for continuous academic and personal advancement.
The attending leaders presented certificates to outstanding students who were awarded the National Scholarship, Excellence Scholarship, Outstanding Scholarship, Endeavor and Diligence Scholarship, Endeavor in Action Scholarship, Endeavor and Perseverance Scholarship and Alumni Scholarship.
Dean Du Xu delivered the closing remarks. He extended his most sincere gratitude to the university leaders, departments, and all faculty and students who have long cared for and supported the development of the Joint Institute. Reflecting on recent years, he highlighted the Institute's fruitful achievements: a steady increase in master's enrollment, continuous optimization of the academic system, and steady improvement in teaching quality. He noted that the two core programs have successfully passed quality accreditation by internationally recognized authorities, yielding remarkable results in international exchanges, collaborative scientific research and education. Consequently, the Joint Institute's talent development brand has become increasingly prominent.
Dean Du shared three expectations for all the students: First, be a "pioneer" in technological innovation by staying at the forefront of the tide. Apply genuine expertise to address national strategic needs and industry technical challenges, and truly become a pragmatic doer who changes the world through technology. Second, be an "ambassador" of cross-cultural integration by looking far ahead. Hone cross-cultural communication skills through dialogues with top global scholars and diverse cultures, striving to become a youth envoy promoting mutual learning among civilizations. Third, be a "self-disciplined" role model who strictly adheres to standards. Maintain reverence for the truth, uphold academic integrity and research ethics, and become a well-rounded talent with both moral integrity and professional competence, ready to take on great responsibilities in the new era.
Since the establishment of the CCNU Wollongong Joint Institute in 2016, the university has attracted a large number of outstanding students through its highly attractive scholarship policies. The Joint Institute encourages students to engage in their studies and daily lives with a vigorous and proactive attitude, striving to create a positive academic atmosphere. Over the past nine years, the Institute has consistently maintained high standards in student enrollment, and its graduate employment rate has consistently ranked among the top in the university.
