On December 31st, the 2025 International Student Awards Ceremony and Sino-Foreign Faculty-Student New Year Gala of Dalian University of Technology (DUT) was successfully held at the Theater of the Student Activity Center. The event brought together DUT leadership including Party Committee Secretary Xiang Changle; Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President Li Cheng'en; Deputy Party Committee Secretary and Vice President Zhang Yanjun; Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President Luo Zhongxuan; and Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Head of the Propaganda Department Han Yi. Also in attendance were representatives from the Liaoning Provincial Department of Education, the Liaoning Provincial Association for International Education Exchange, the Foreign Affairs Office of the Dalian Municipal People's Government, the Exit-Entry Administration Division of the Dalian Municipal Public Security Bureau, representatives from other universities in Dalian, as well as leaders from relevant DUT administrative departments and international student training units. Together with Chinese and international faculty and students, they gathered to celebrate the New Year.
Party Committee Secretary Xiang Changle, on behalf of the university, extended New Year's greetings to all Chinese and international faculty and students. He congratulated the international students on their outstanding achievements over the past year and encouraged them to cherish their time studying in China. He urged them to delve into their academic pursuits while also taking the opportunity to travel and see more, gaining a deeper understanding of the real, multi-dimensional, and comprehensive China. He hoped they would become narrators of China's stories and play a positive role in promoting people-to-people bonds between nations and building a community with a shared future for mankind.
Standing Committee Member of the Party Committee and Vice President Luo Zhongxuan stated in his address that in the concluding year of the 14th Five-Year Plan period, the university's work in international student education has submitted a brilliant answer to the era's question of "What can DUT contribute to building a leading nation?" The international student body has exceeded 4,000, marking a new stage in both the scale and quality of talent cultivation. Two international joint training programs have been successfully launched, and university-enterprise collaborative international talent training projects have been upgraded in quality. International students have brought back 85 trophies from top-tier competitions like the "Challenge Cup." An international education case was featured on China Central Television (CCTV), and the work achievements have been highlighted multiple times by national ministries and official media, making the "Study at DUT" brand shine ever brighter.
During the awards ceremony, 109 international students who excelled in the past year across six areas—academics, friendship, sports and arts, practical engagement, volunteerism, and scientific innovation—as well as representatives from 6 outstanding teams were honored. Five students who received the highest honor of "International Star" shared their personal growth insights. The outstanding performance of the award-winning individuals and groups over the past year fully demonstrates the achievements and effectiveness of the university's international education and talent cultivation.
This year's Sino-Foreign Faculty-Student Gala was spectacular. Over 200 international students from 62 countries joined university leaders and faculty on stage to perform for a full house of 1,500 in the theater. The gala kicked off with the song and dance "Let's China Fun," created and performed by international students. The original song "Encountering Dalian," composed by faculty and students, made its debut campus performance. A song medley titled "Connecting the World" presented by staff from the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange drew everyone's attention. Collaborative performances by Chinese and international students, including ethnic dances, martial arts, and musical theater acts, sparked waves of cheers. The event's atmosphere peaked when all faculty members from the School of International Education and the Office of International Cooperation and Exchange jointly performed the song "Great China."
As the year of the Snake nears its end and the year of the Horse approaches according to the Chinese zodiac, Chinese and international faculty and students will continue to work hand in hand in the new year. They are committed to deepening friendship among youth from China and abroad, promoting mutual understanding between peoples, and facilitating mutual learning among civilizations, contributing DUT's wisdom and strength.
