UCAS urges new students to advance scientific self-reliance

The University of Chinese Academy of Sciences welcomed 21,577 new students at its 2026 enrollment ceremony in Beijing on Sunday, with scientific self-reliance and artificial intelligence highlighted as defining challenges for the incoming class.

UCAS President Zhou Qi urged the students to carry forward the university's tradition of serving the nation, drawing on the legacy of Wu Youxun, a former vice-president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and physicist.

Zhou said Wu validated the Compton effect at the age of 28 and later established China's first modern physics laboratory, where he mentored future pioneers of the country's nuclear and space programs.

Zhou said the university's name embodies not only a commitment to the nation, but also a spirit of scientific innovation and the integration of science and education.

"I hope you will solemnly write your own name and strive to forge a stronger tomorrow for the nation," he said.

Faculty representative Yu Haibin said artificial intelligence is becoming a fundamental tool across disciplines, bringing profound changes to fields including information science, materials science and the philosophy of science and technology.

He urged students to make good use of AI tools without becoming overly reliant on them.

"Artificial intelligence can speed up calculations, but it cannot replace deep insight into scientific questions. Big data can reveal patterns, yet it cannot replace independent thinking and sound judgment from researchers," Yu said.

"Seeking truth, rigorous scholarship, courage to question, and willingness to work in quiet perseverance — these are the cornerstones of scientific research in any age," he added.

Niu Ziru, a 2026 direct-entry PhD student majoring in systems theory at the Academy of Mathematics and Systems Science, said that, having grown up in a military compound, he hopes to draw on his strengths in mathematics to contribute to China's scientific and technological self-reliance and strength.

"For us researchers in the new era, our aspiration goes far beyond personal academic progress," Niu said. "Young people like us must step up to take on our historical responsibility, devoting our youth to tackling key challenges for the country and serving the people."

Simon Christensen, a Danish master's student at the Sino-Danish College, spoke on behalf of international students and encouraged his classmates to view cultural differences as opportunities to broaden their horizons.

"UCAS is not only a prestigious university, but also a place where scientific dreams can come true," he said. "Whether we are watching the sunrise over the Great Wall from the Yanqi Lake Campus or immersing ourselves in research in the laboratory, we can all experience the unique charm of this university."