On September 13, Tan Tieniu, Chair of NJU CPC Council and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, delivered the first lectures for new undergraduate and graduate students, titled "Pass on the NJU Spirit, Shoulder the Task of Rejuvenation, Write the Most Beautiful Chapter of Youth" and "Carry Forward the Spirit of Scientists, Strive to Become Top Innovative Talents of the New Era," respectively.

First Lecture for Undergraduate Students: Pass on the NJU Spirit, Shoulder the Task of Rejuvenation, Write the Most Beautiful Chapter of Youth

"What kind of era are we in? What kind of university is Nanjing University? With what attitude should students embrace the future and embrace their four years of university life?" In the first lecture, Tan Tieniu raised three questions to the new students. Combining rich data, vivid cases, and his own experiences and insights, he led the students in an in-depth discussion of these questions, encouraging everyone to understand the mission of building a strong country and national rejuvenation, pass on the torch of the 120-year-old NJU, and be progressive and accomplished young people.

Tan Tieniu pointed out that only by accurately grasping the latest changes of the times can one accurately grasp the trajectory of life, anchor the direction of struggle, and thus better achieve one's dreams and better contribute to the realization of national prosperity and national rejuvenation. Tan Tieniu systematically explained the history and evolution of NJU and recounted the important contributions made by NJU to the development of Chinese higher education and to national prosperity and national rejuvenation. He pointed out that President Xi Jinping has expressed his earnest expectation for Nanjing University to build the "Unique Nanjing University," and in his important reply letter to our young scholars who have returned from studying abroad, he encouraged everyone to care about "national affairs" and shoulder "national responsibilities," to achieve new results in adhering to moral education and promoting scientific and technological self-reliance and self-improvement, and to be exemplars in strengthening cultural confidence and telling Chinese stories well. NJU is also Jiangsu's university, and responding to local development needs and making NJU's contribution to Jiangsu's new practice of Chinese modernization is the mission and responsibility that NJU should have. To thoroughly implement President Xi Jinping's major requirement of building a world-class university with Chinese characteristics rooted in Chinese soil and the spirit of his important reply letter to our young scholars who have returned from studying abroad, the university has fully implemented the "Forging Ahead Initiative" since 2023, establishing a "three-step" strategy for building the "Unique Nanjing University," and writing the answer sheet of the times with NJU-style advancement.

"Being born in a great era is our blessing, and not letting down the great era is our responsibility." Tan Tieniu expressed with full expectation that the stage for students to display their talents is unprecedentedly broad, the prospect of realizing their dreams is unprecedentedly bright, and the responsibility on their shoulders is also unprecedentedly great. He put forward four expectations for the new students: first, to have ideals and care about "national affairs"; second, to dare to take responsibility and shoulder "national responsibilities"; third, to be able to endure hardship; and fourth, to be willing to work diligentldi and endure hardship. 

Tan Tieniu emphasized that young people are the future of the country and the hope of the nation, and he hoped that everyone would not let down the times and their youth, shoulder the mission of the times, gather strength to accelerate the construction of the "Unique Nanjing University," and contribute more of NJU's youthful strength to comprehensively advancing the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese modernization.

First Lecture for Graduate Students: Carry Forward the Spirit of Scientists, Strive to Become Top Innovative Talents of the New Era

"Many of you will engage in scientific research in the future, and you bear a historic responsibility for scientific and technological self-reliance and innovation." In the first lecture, Tan Tieniu combined detailed data, rich cases, and personal experiences to communicate with new students from five aspects: a review and enlightenment of the world's scientific and technological revolution, the main trends of world scientific and technological development, the course of scientific and technological development in New China, NJU's responsibility in scientific and technological self-reliance, and the opportunities and missions of the younger generation of NJU people. He encouraged everyone to integrate the glorious traditions of NJU, the spirit of scientists, and the missions and tasks that the new era has given to our youth, and to walk the path of scientific research steadily.

"The history of human modernization is essentially a history of scientific and technological innovation and progress. Whoever seizes the opportunity will stand at the forefront of the tide. This is a profound lesson from history." Tan Tieniu took the students through a review of the five scientific and technological revolutions in human history and their important impacts, systematically sorted out the new characteristics of the new round of scientific and technological revolution and the current development status in key areas such as basic science, information technology, life science, new energy, new materials, deep sea and deep earth, and introduced the important achievements made by NJU scholars in related frontier fields. He pointed out that accurately recognizing and grasping the trends and laws of the new round of scientific and technological revolution is crucial for the development of a country and also important for the students.

Tan Tieniu introduced the course of scientific and technological development in New China. He stated that looking back at the course of scientific and technological development in New China, we are extremely proud, but we must also clearly recognize that there is still a considerable gap compared with the world's advanced scientific and technological level. Tan Tieniu recounted the story of the iris image acquisition device independently developed by himself and his team, and also systematically reviewed NJU's unremitting efforts in pursuing scientific and technological self-reliance over the past 123 years in various historical stages.

He encouraged everyone to seize the historical opportunity, shoulder the responsibility of the times, achieve their life dreams, and serve the country and the people. He put forward four expectations to share with everyone. First, to uphold "scientific ideals"; second, to stick to the "scientific spirit"; third, to obtain"scientific competence"; and fourth to shoulder "scientific responsibility". He wished the new students success in their studies, research, and enjoyment of their youth at NJU.

The atmosphere at the scene was lively, with thunderous applause erupting from time to time. The new students expressed that they received much inspiration from Tan Tieniu's first lecture of the semester, and they are full of expectations for their upcoming studies and life at NJU. They will integrate the mission of "carrying forward the spirit of NJU, shouldering the task of national rejuvenation, and writing the most beautiful chapter youth" into their future plans, striving to learn and promote the spirit of scientists, and aspiring to become top innovative talents of the new era, contributing their youthful wisdom and strength to national development and the great cause of national rejuvenation.