On September 14, President Li Zhaohu welcomed the Class of 2025 graduate students with an inaugural lecture titled "Cultivate Patriotism and Championing Scientific Spirit: Composing a Youthful Chapter in Ecological Civilization". The event, hosted by Vice President Wang Qiang, was streamed live to a main venue and 24 satellite classrooms, engaging over 3,100 new graduates and faculty members.

Li's lecture was structured around three key messages. Firstly, he emphasized the need to align personal aspirations with China's ecological modernization goals, urging students to anchor their research in national needs and societal well-being. Secondly, he highlighted the university's historic role in greening initiatives, calling on students to carry forward BFU's mission of green dedication to the nation. Thirdly, he stressed the paramount importance of academic integrity, calling on all to pursue high-level, truth-seeking scholarship.

Zhang Yifan from the College of Forestry said: "The lecture reinforced my commitment to soil health research. I will uphold integrity and ground my work in real-world ecological challenges."

"As BFU graduates, we must transcend personal goals and contribute to national green transitions through rigorous science." said Wang Haomin from the School of Landscape Architecture.

Zhou Zhengfa from the School of Marxism also shared:"I will integrate Marxist ecological theory with policy innovation to address tangible sustainability issues."

For Du Anna from the School of Grassland Science, she also made her mind: "My research aims to advance grassland ecology—a tangible step toward Beautiful China."

The lecture set a strategic tone for graduate education, linking academic excellence with China's ecological vision.

Written by Weng Yuankai, Li Yanni
Translated and edited by Song He
Reviewed by Yu Yangyang