The School of Medicine and Health Management at Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) held its 2026 opening ceremony in Teaching Building No. 2, officially welcoming its newest cohort of undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students. The event brought together faculty, staff, and distinguished alumni to mark the beginning of a new academic journey for the Class of 2026.

The ceremony commenced with the national anthem, followed by a series of speeches and addresses. Prof. YAO Lan, the dean of the school, extended a warm welcome to the new students, emphasizing the critical role they will play in advancing healthcare in China. She noted that the country's healthcare industry is at a pivotal stage of high-quality growth, and the new generation of health management professionals bears the responsibility of implementing the Healthy China strategy. Prof. YAO encouraged undergraduates to build a strong professional foundation while urging graduate students to hone their independent research capabilities, calling on all students to contribute to the nation's health reform endeavors.

LI Gang, an outstanding alumnus from the undergraduate Class of 2000 and doctoral Class of 2015, shared his years at the school and his ensuing career in hospital management. He encouraged students to value their discipline and put their expertise into practice, urging them to integrate personal aspirations with the great mission of building a Healthy China.

Prof. WANG Jing, the Vice Dean, mentioned "Three Things Worth Doing”, encouraging students to remain focused, avoid self-limitation, and achieve  academic excellence and self-realization during their college time. She stressed the importance of perseverance and character-building in serving the country.

Student representatives also took the stage to share their perspectives. ZHANG Han, a returning student from the Class of 2023 and recipient of multiple honors including the Qiu Fazu Scholarship, encouraged her peers with the "Four Hearts"—a heart that strives for progress, a heart filled with curiosity, a heart brave enough to try new things, and a heart that cares for others. Undergraduate freshman SHU Chenyan spoke of her aspirations and sense of responsibility, pledging to grow into a dedicated contributor to national development. Graduate representative GUO Lining, a PhD student, reflected on her undergraduate years and encouraged fellow students to remain steadfast in their pursuits while embracing interdisciplinary practice at the intersection of medicine and management.

A group recitation titled "Setting Out · Passing the Torch · Carrying On the Legacy" was performed by the Class of 2026, intertwining personal academic ambitions with the mission of Healthy China. The performance demonstrated the students' commitment to grounding themselves in practice, caring for public welfare, and serving national strategies.

Party Secretary HUANG Mingfang delivered the concluding remarks, welcoming the new students and congratulating them on their arrival. She described the role of health management professionals as a "central link" that empowers healthcare through management and connects people's livelihoods through information. She urged students to stay true to their aspirations, innovate while upholding principles, and serve the well-being of every household with humanistic warmth.

The ceremony concluded with all faculty and students singing the university anthem. The event served not only as a formal welcome but also as a spiritual baptism and a passing of the torch, inspiring the Class of 2026 to dedicate their youth to the mission of safeguarding public health and advancing the Healthy China strategy.