“Riding with strong winds and breaking through heavy waves,we can go ahead without boundaries.” On the morning of September 11, the 2023 freshmen opening ceremony of Shenzhen Audencia Financial Technology Institute, Shenzhen University, was successfully held in No.1 Conference Hall at Huixing Building. The opening ceremony was hosted by Deputy Dean GU Wei and attended by Mr. Olivier NGO, the Consul for Science, Technology and Higher Education from the Consulate General of France in Guangzhou; Ms Clara HERB, Scientific Officer from Consulate General of France in Guangzhou; Mr. ZHENG Peng, academic officer from Consulate General of France in Guangzhou; Mr Nylam GAUTHIER,Head of Campus France in Guangzhou; Ms. ZHANG Shiyun,Head of the Promotion-Orientation Office at Campus France in Guangzhou, members of Institute’s leading group, representatives of teachers, as well as 260 undergraduate freshmen and 80 postgraduate freshmen of MSc in Financial Technology and Risk Control.
The opening ceremony officially began amidst the solemn and impassioned national anthem. Dean ZHANG Kai delivered an enlightening speech, where the original founding aspiration of “Establishing a Shenzhen-based Chinese-foreign cooperative education institution with excellent influence in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, focusing on the interdisciplinary field of financial technology, dedicating to develop international versatile talents in financial technology with solid academic foundation and practical skills” was shared with all people present.
Dean ZHANG Kai also pointed out that having been a pioneer of the first batch of financial technology institutes and an explorer in the field of Chinese-foreign cooperative education institution in the field of financial technology, Shenzhen Audencia Financial Technology Institute, Shenzhen University should keep in mind and put into practice the ideal of “Pioneering in Finance and skilled in Technology”, take a ride of the development opportunities in financial technology and to break through strong waves in the process of national development. Dean ZHANG Kai hoped that students could make full use of talents and resources in education from both China and France, base themselves on the Chinese financial landscape, look to the forefront of global technology, learn the true skills of financial technology, make self achievement and become international financial talents with the support of the Sino-French dual degree program.
Out of his busy schedule, Mr. Olivier NGO specially came from Guangzhou to join this opening ceremony. He addressed that though young in age, Shenzhen Audencia Financial Technology Institute, Shenzhen University is actually a result of the cooperation between Shenzhen University and Audencia Business School back in 2016. During President Macron’s state visit to China, the President also emphasized the importance of people-to-people and cultural exchange. As people-to-people and cultural exchange especially at student level between China and France has been reviving, students are encouraged to go to France for exchange, learn French and keep contact with the country. “You are fortunate to study in Shenzhen University where Shenzhen Alliance Française has just been established and many activities are under preparation. You are therefore very welcome to attend those activities. As the best representatives of Sino-French friendship, I wish you a good study here in Shenzhen Audencia Financial Technology Institute, Shenzhen University and hope we can meet soon in the near future.”
Tristan Pelloux, offline teacher representative at Shenzhen Audencia Financial Technology Institute, Shenzhen University from Audencia Business School introduced basic information about Audencia Business School in his speech. As one of the oldest business schools in France, Audencia Business School enjoys a long history and has been a home for generations of students to enrich their lives. Locating in Nantes, the biggest city in the west of France, this school not only provides higher education but also is a gathering place for French culture. In his enthusiastic words, Tristan Pelloux encouraged students to experience and understand French culture in France whether as exchange students or summer-camp participants. He mentioned that with progress in students’ grades, courses would be offered gradually and more French teachers would come to teach. As a French teacher, Tristan expressed his great honor to come to China and teach students the course of Introduction to Fintech, and to appreciate the charm of financial technology in the present era together.
2023 Freshman representative ZHANG Zhuoer also made a speech. “As all 2023 freshman gather together today, we have a shared identity: a student of financial technology despite the fact that we come from different countries or regions. Although there are numerous challenges and difficulties ahead, and some people may step back in the face of difficulties, we should however prove ourselves as students of Shenzhen University with the spirit of “Self-reliance, self-discipline and self-improvement” from the moment we were enrolled. Looking ahead, with the courage of expanding boundaries and challenging limits, the firm determination to overcome hardship and discouragement and both modest and confident attitude, we will embrace infinite possibilities in our future voyage.
Industry elites were specially invited by the Institute to serve as industrial mentors to help students master cutting-edge business and skills within this field. During the awarding ceremony of industrial mentors, Dean ZHANG Kai awarded letter of appointment to 15 mentors.
A Freshman scholarship was specially established for officially registered full-time first-grade undergraduate students of Shenzhen Audencia Financial Technology Institute, Shenzhen University and first-grade postgraduate students of MSc in Financial Technology and Risk Control in the aim of encouragement. Mr. LIU Haishan, secretary of the committee of CPC at the Institute, awarded prize money to winning students respectively.
Series activities in the name of Nantes Dream Credit were introduced to all undergraduate and postgraduate students at Shenzhen Audencia Financial Technology Institute, Shenzhen University, with short-video shooting competition as its first event. Students could share their studies and lives at the Institute based on the motto of “Never stop daring.” Mr. LOU Zhuonan, Deputy Secretary of the committee of CPC at the Institute, awarded prize to three winning students.
In July 2023, the first short-term summer study tour to Audencia Business School was organized, and each participating student was awarded 10,000 yuan as a special scholarship from Audencia. French Deputy Dean Ms. QIAO Jun awarded the prize money to students, while student representative LV Tianyi shared his feelings about the summer study tour.
At the end of the ceremony, Mr Nylam GAUTHIER gave a lecture about French culture and education. By introducing the education system in France, he encouraged students to work hard in learning French and make full use of learning conditions provided by Campus France in Guangzhou and the Institute so as to understand and experience French language and culture.
By “riding with the strong winds of technological development, breaking through heavy waves of national rejuvenation, and bravely exploring boundless future in the field of finance”, students of financial technology will set sails here and go on their voyage now!
