On Sept. 4, Harbin Institute of Technology, Weihai (HIT Weihai) and Hanyang University (HYU) held the opening ceremony for the class of 2026 of the joint Intelligent Materials and Structures program in the library lecture hall on the Weihai campus. Qian Hongliang, vice president of HIT Weihai, delivered the opening address. Kim Tae-hyun, dean of HYU’s College of Advanced Technology and Convergence, and Chu Guannan, dean of HIT Weihai’s School of Materials Science and Engineering, also spoke. Officials from relevant departments of both universities and all 2026 freshmen attended. Zhong Bo, Party Secretary of the School of Materials Science and Engineering and a member of the program management committee, presided over the ceremony.

In his address, Qian noted that the joint program represents an important practice in China-ROK higher education cooperation. He urged students to make full use ofthe international platform, respect cultural diversity, deepen their expertise, engage actively in research, and enhance their cross-cultural communication and collaboration skills. He encouraged them to pursue personal growth while contributing to China-ROK scientific and cultural exchange and to strive to become key professionals in the field of intelligent materials.

Kim said the“4+0” dual degree program breaks geographical barriers and lets students benefit from both institutions’ strengths, allowing them to experience HIT’s research capabilities and HYU’s educational approach on campus. He encouraged students to draw on both universities’ strengths, broaden their globalvision and develop intointernationallycompetitive professionals.

Chu introduced the prospectsandeducational philosophy of the program, urgingstudents to build a solid academic foundation, improve their innovation ability and global competence, and grow into leading professionals in intelligent materials.

Freshman representative Wu Luofan spoke about his expectations for university life and his determination to engage in research and achieve excellence. HYU delegates presented souvenirs to the freshman representatives.

Drawing on high quality educational and research resources from both HIT Weihai and HYU, thejoint program in Intelligent Materials and Structures trains interdisciplinary talent for cutting edge engineering fields, with a focus on cross cultural competence and global competitiveness. The arrivalof the Class of 2026 marks steady progress in the two universities’ joint talent development efforts and signals a new phase of quality improvement for the program.

(Text by Zhang Wenjun; photos by Zhang Yuqin.)

Opening Ceremony

Address by Qian Hongliang

Remarks by Kim Tae-hyun

Remarks by Chu Guannan

Speech by Freshman Representative

Group Photo