The freshman orientation program for the Class of 2025 in the Department of Economics at Shenzhen MSU-BIT University lasted from August 23 to September 5. Centered around four modules—"Understanding, Experiencing, Planning, and Setting Sail"—it created a comprehensive and immersive growth experience for over 240 undergraduate freshmen majoring in International Economics and Trade, Financial Technology, and Economics. Over the two weeks, more than 20 thematic lectures, one corporate visit, two types of skill-building activities, and multiple faculty-student interaction sessions were conducted to help students smoothly transition from "high school students" to "university students."
I. Opening Ceremony: Home-School Collaboration to Foster New Talents
On August 23, the first day of orientation, an immersive campus experience began immediately. After completing registration at the gymnasium, all freshmen and their parents visited the Department of Economics' Experimental Teaching Center and the Digital Economy Innovation Laboratory, gaining firsthand exposure to the integrated teaching environment of "classroom + research + industry."
On the afternoon of August 24, the freshman welcome ceremony for the Class of 2025 in the Department of Economics was held in the lecture hall on the ninth floor of the library. Professor Meng Fanchen, the Chinese Director of the Department of Economics, Ms. Xie Yin, Commercial Director of Shenzhen Edan Instruments Co., Ltd., along with all faculty members, outstanding alumna Han Xinyi, and senior student representative Hu Yu, gathered with the freshmen to mark the beginning of their university journey.
In his speech, Professor Meng Fanchen encouraged the freshmen to "measure the world through the lens of economics and define youth with a sense of national responsibility." Three freshman representatives—Li Zimo from International Economics and Trade, Yu Jiahui from Economics, and Gu Jiaheng from Financial Technology—delivered speeches, sharing their unique "unboxing" experiences of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University using keywords such as "novelty," "romance," and "mission."
Senior student Hu Yu from the Class of 2022 shared "three keys"—"taking the initiative to knock on doors, daring to make mistakes, and upgrading cognition"—to help the freshmen unlock the "hidden levels" of university life. Alumna Han Xinyi from the Class of 2021 offered three pieces of advice: "aim high, take small steps, and breathe deeply," encouraging the freshmen to "transform anxiety into exploration."
Tutor Dr. Ye Ziwen, Dr. Huang Yiqi, and External Mentor Xie Yin provided "guidance" to the freshmen from three perspectives: character development, academic learning, and professional competencies.
II. Professional Awareness: Synchronizing Curriculum Maps with Academic Frontiers
From August 25th to 29th, intensive sessions on "Introduction + Course Navigation" were conducted across various majors.
On the afternoon of the 25th, the Department of Economics hosted a "Finance Workshop" for freshmen majoring in Financial Technology and International Economics and Trade. Three lecturers from Guosen Securities—Zeng Xiwen, Zhou Zhihua, and Mei Yuanbei—were invited to deliver themed presentations, helping students unlock the door to university-level economics.
Zeng Xiwen opened with the "Planning Chapter," analyzing career planning from three dimensions—"meaning, methods, and action"—while recommending the documentary 7 Up and providing a four-stage growth roadmap for university life. Zhou Zhihua presented the "Investment Chapter," using relatable examples to break down types of index funds and ETFs, such as broad-based, cross-border, and bond funds, advising freshmen to "learn to walk before running." Mei Yuanbei concluded with the "Industry Chapter," reviewing the history of global securities and humorously answering "What are securities?" to continuous applause. Lasting three and a half hours, the event left students feeling it was "packed with insights, instantly clarifying their direction."
On the 28th, Professor Meng Fanchen, Professor Zhang Lingxiang, and Dr. He Zhepure provided major-specific interpretations of the academic training plans throughout the day. Six faculty members, including Yao Zhenyu and Wang Bin, outlined the knowledge framework for freshmen under the theme of "Economics Course Learning."
Professor Huang Weige and Dr. Yu Junbiao focused on "Finance and Financial Management Courses," analyzing core modules with case studies. Six management course instructors, including Professor Cheah Chee Wei and Dr. Iqbal Muhammad Farrukh, took the stage together to guide freshmen on how to effectively study core courses such as Management and Managerial Economics. Over the four days, the curriculum map was gradually "illuminated," giving students a comprehensive grasp of "what to learn and how to learn."
III. Career Navigation: Multi-dimensional Empowerment through Masters + Alumni + Enterprises
From August 26th to 27th, the department collaborated with the university to launch a "Career Planning Lecture Series." National First-Class Actor Wu Qun interpreted aesthetics and creativity in Art and Life; young guzheng performer Wang Yan, through Building Foundations on Strings, translated "fundamental skills" into career resilience; while Professor Zhang Nan, in the Chasing Light, Building Dreams report, inspired freshmen to "plan their university journey with a light-chasing mindset" using cutting-edge stories from optics.
On the afternoon of the 27th, all freshmen majoring in International Trade and Financial Technology visited Shenzhen Edan Instruments, Inc., where they learned about "China's Solutions in Medical Technology" and completed their "First Lesson in Industry Awareness" at the company's exhibition hall.
IV. Growth Mentorship: Seamless Integration of Moral Education Tutors and Peer Experience
On August 29th, the "Youth in My Hands—Academic Planning and Growth" sharing session was held all day in the lecture hall on the first floor of the library. Five young faculty members—Dr. Ye Ziwen, Dr. Zhang Na, Dr. Dong Sichen, Dr. Fan Zhening, and Dr. Jiang Zejun—shared their personal stories of studying abroad, conducting research, and job hunting, offering freshmen practical tips on "time management, mindset adjustment, and global perspectives."
That evening, the counselors provided explanations on classroom attendance, dormitory safety, and the procedures for joining the Communist Youth League and the Party during the grade-wide meeting, helping freshmen establish a sense of rules.
V. Resource Empowerment: Comprehensive Coverage of Library, Psychological, and Safety Services
On the morning of August 29th, the freshman library orientation was held in the audiovisual room on the first floor of the library. Teacher Luo Xiaoying demonstrated literature retrieval, identification of risky websites, and effective questioning techniques on-site. Psychological quality development activities took place on August 30th, followed by anti-fraud and anti-drug education on the 31st, along with the "First Lesson in Mental Health." These initiatives collectively strengthened the "dual defenses" of safety and psychological well-being for freshmen.
At 7:00 PM on September 5th, the warm and welcoming party for the Class of 2025 from the Department of Economics took place in the lecture hall on the ninth floor of the library. Freshmen showcased their youthful charm through singing, dancing, and talents, bringing the orientation program to a perfect conclusion.
The freshmen unanimously expressed: "The intensive two-week orientation not only helped us find our academic bearings but also filled us with anticipation for the next four years."
This orientation program, centered on "laying a professional foundation, broadening horizons, and empowering growth," deeply integrated industry-academic resources and international characteristics to help freshmen quickly adapt to university life. The Department of Economics will continue leveraging the industrial resources of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to support every student in setting sail toward success on this fertile ground of Shenzhen MSU-BIT University.
