On September 8, 2018, USC-SJTU Institute of Cultural and Creative Industry (ICCI) welcomed 63 new graduate students as the Class of 2018, including one student from Taiwan, China and another from Canada.
On Saturday Morning, registration was open for all new students at the New Gymnasium on Minhang Campus of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (SJTU). Early by 7 o’clock, the ICCI staff and volunteers had already had everything all set, waiting for the arrivals of new students. The Institute has prepared a tailored gift pack with name tag for each student. Inside the pack, there are SJTU school badge, designed ICCI T-shirt, card sleeve, name card, notebook, pen, umbrella, institute brochures, mosquito bracelet, graduate student handbook and ICCI handbook, as well as Vitamin-C effervescent tablets to fight against weariness.
Holding admission letters in hand, students came with smiles and excitement. After completing the registration, they officially became a SJTUer & ICCIer. They took photos with families and newly-acquainted classmates to celebrate the memorable moment.
In the afternoon, Students had a tour of ICCI's academic and research base at Zizhu led by Jiaxing YE, Director of ICCI Lab Management Office, to familiarize themselves with the studying facilities and equipments. After the tour, the institute organized a warm-up activity titled "My CCI Dream", as a ritual marking the start of their postgraduate study at ICCI. Students wrote down their aspirations and hopes for themselves on postcards and dropped them into the ICCI Mailbox, which was locked then by the ICCI leaders and would not be reopened until their graduation 2.5 years later. To protect and nurture the dreams of young ICCIers and to provide them with the optimal learning and communication platform has always been a solemn and consistent commitment of ICCI.
The Orientation Ceremony began officially at 13:40 p.m. Vice Deans of ICCI, Jinzhang JIANG and Yelena ZHAO, all the Class of 2018 and some of students’ parents attended the ceremony. It was moderated by Yelena ZHAO, who gave a warm welcome to all the students and parents first and explained the profound meaning of "My CCI Dream". She encouraged students to stay true to their dreams and forge ahead with great courage and perseverance. Prof. Jinzhang JIANG introduced ICCI’s schooling characteristics and cultivation principles. He hoped that students could established their own goals and equipped themselves with creativity, academic research ability, technological knowledge and practical experiences at ICCI to build a solid ground for future success.
As one of the ICCI traditions, the online meeting with senior schoolmates abroad brought new ICCIers delightful surprises. Senior ICCIers who were studying at the Marshall Business School of University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and University of Hong Kong shared their study and life experiences. They introduced the basics for studying at Marshall, advised on application procedure, course selection and internship, and encouraged new ICCIers to study hard during their first year study at SJTU and kept a close contact with the institute to get assistance whenever needed. Zhuoqun SHENG from class of 2016 were present at the meeting onsite. He offered advices through face-to-face communication. New ICCIers showed their gratitude and appreciation with rounds of applause.
Afterwards, Yelena ZHAO introduced in details the curriculum, graduation requirements and USC application issues of the Joint Master Degree Program in Cultural & Creative Industry Management.
In order to help students adapt quicker to the new semester at ICCI, Vera CHEN, Manager of the Academic Affairs Office, introduced the course schedule of 2018 fall semester and elaborated the management regulations for graduate students. Student Counselor Ramila AZAT announced the election procedure for class committee and briefed the recent arrangement of activities. Lab Manager Jiaxing YE introduced the current regulations on lab management and equipment usage, and reminded students of safety matters in the education park.
After the orientation ceremony, two classes held their first class meeting respectively. Through an initial ice-breaking, classmates got to know each other better. And the Party members in the class encouraged other students to join the Party and made contributions to the development of the Party and the prosperity of our Nation. The class teacher also answered students' questions regarding study and life at ICCI.
On the morning of September 9, ICCI Class of 2018 gathered at the New Gymnasium to attend the grand university opening ceremony, wearing ICCI’s newly designed T-shirt. President Zhongqin LIN delivered a keynote speech titled Aim High and Treasure Time, asking new SJTUers to ponder on the purpose of study and hoping students could have first-class ambitions and become first-class talents. For professional degree students in particular, he emphasized the importance of training the problem-solving ability and building deep roots in industries beside acquiring the specific professional knowledge, which could benefit students' future careers in a more profound way.
Later in the evening, SJTU Class of 2018 listened to their First Lecture on the theme of Aim High with Gratitude, Forge Ahead through Challenges, given by Sixian JIANG, General Secretary of the CPC SJTU Committee. He introduced the glory history and countless achievements of SJTU, and welcomed the Class of 2018 to join the big SJTU family. He emphasized that here in SJTU students should take the advantage of the companionship of academic masters, innovative spirits, and nurturing study atmosphere to pursue excellence. SJTU was well worth the choice. Each new SJTUer should shoulder the responsibility of being one. The ICCI Class of 2018 listened carefully and took notes accordingly.
On September 10, the ICCI Class of 2018 officially started their study. There were four courses held on day one, Management Essentials taught by Prof. Sunghan RYU from Korea, Theories of Journalism and Mass Communication by Prof. Cornelia BOGEN from Germany, The History of Chinese and Foreign Journalism and Mass Communication by Prof. Titus LEVI from America, and Business Communication instructed by experienced industry professional Donna WONG from America. Students were excited to have dived into the immersive English-learning mode and have met so many interesting and knowledgeable professors. They were confident to adapt quickly into the novel learning environment and make solid progress soon.
On the afternoon of September 10, Weimin ZHANG, ICCI Executive Dean, delivered the Dean's First Lecture to the ICCI Class of 2018. He encouraged all students to train their international viewpoint, build an interdisciplinary knowledge base and dive deep into industry and practice. He talked about the heated topic trade war between the U.S. and China, analyzed the current international relations and future development trends. He also traced the history back to the first and second world war period to remind us of the lessons we should have learnt from the national setback, help us understand how and under what circumstance the Communist Party came into being and acknowledge the greatness of our nation's current achievements. We have come a long way through arduousness, and we should be proud of what we are today with our staggering advancement. Although still behind others in certain areas, we are ready to catch up shortly and the young generation should surely take up the responsibility during the process. He wished that young ICCIers may live up to the expectations of SJTU and our nation and take actions in the cultural and creative industry through innovation to make contributions to a better life in a better world. Furthermore, the Dean also explained the profound meaning of the institute motto-Sincerity, Professionalism and Innovation, and reiterated the importance of training good communicational skills and problem-solving ability. He genuinely hoped that we can do everything well and treat everyone with sincerity. Four student representatives were invited on stage to share their thoughts after the lecture.
Having experienced a series of activities, 2018 ICCIers have words to say: ICCI's gift pack for new students is the largest among different schools in SJTU. It is so thoughtful of ICCI to have organized the orientation and class meeting at the very begin-ning. Everything is fresh new to us and we are looking forward to the new life here in ICCI.
------ Class of 2018 Eric WANG
After the orientation, I am full of wonderful expectations for my future study life. I hope to make the most out of diversified courses and a variety of extracurricular activities, perform well in all kinds of study tasks and master as many skills as possible within the realm of culture, art, technology and management through practices like filmmaking, visiting exhibitions, field research and artistic creation. I am very excited about the coming ICCI life!
----- Class of 2018 Lihua LIU
This is my second time to be at the New Gymnasium for the school opening ceremony at SJTU. I chose ICCI because I have a genuine interest in the Cultural and Creative Industry. I can do things I love here, which makes me feel full of hope. I will push my own boundary to find my own direction of future development and meet the best self in 2.5 years.
----- Class of 2018 Huijin HAN
Although I have already attended many ICCI activities earlier, I felt excited all the same when I officially entered ICCI as a member of the Class of 2018. For me, culture and creativity are not only where my passion lies but also representing the lifestyle that I dream of. I really appreciate the superb platform and great mentors that ICCI provides us with. I will take every opportunity to learn and grow through continuous practice.
----- Class of 2018 Hongbin DAI
I talked with senior ICCIers who are currently studying in America and Hong Kong. Their passion inspired me. I am a curious person who wishes to dig out the creative genes in me through the platform that ICCI provides and start a company with real influence. I met lots of entrepreneurs while working earlier, whose ventures were rarely successful. I hope to find like-minded partners in SJTU to start our business together and make it right.
----- Class of 2018 Cheung Wah Lap