In the golden autumn of September, dreams set sail. On September 12, the 2026 opening ceremony for new students of the School of Geospatial Artificial Intelligence, East China Normal University, was successfully held. Shi Guoyue, Standing Committee Member of the University Party Committee, Vice President of ECNU and Dean of the School of Spatial Artificial Intelligence; Cang Jirong, co-founder and CEO of Xingce Future Technology (Beijing) Co., Ltd.; Tan Kun and Lin Delong, Vice Deans of the school; as well as faculty, counselors, and all new undergraduate, master's and doctoral students attended the ceremony, embarking together on a new journey in aerospace intelligence. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Dean Sun Ting.
Vice Dean Tan Kun extended a warm welcome to all new students and delivered an address titled “You Are Standing at the Confluence of Three Eras.” He pointed out that remote sensing is evolving from space-based observation toward spatial intelligence, spatial data are moving from scarcity to abundance, and spatial analysis is shifting from manual processing to intelligent cognition. He urged undergraduates to lay a solid foundation in mathematics, physics and programming, to engage with real engineering problems as early as possible, and to deepen their understanding of spatial information and spatial attributes. For graduate students, he called for a problem-oriented approach, understanding the underlying logic, physical laws, applicable conditions and failure boundaries of models, and conducting research around national needs.
Industry guest Cang Jirong shared his message for the new students, drawing on his own experience in space science projects and in starting a commercial aerospace venture. He recounted how a young team took on a micro-nano satellite project and how his company has positioned itself in space computing power, noting that research exploration and engineering practice in emerging fields require long-term, deep commitment. Spatial artificial intelligence is characterized by multidisciplinary intersection and engineering practice; technical results must not only pass scientific scrutiny but also operate reliably in real scenarios and under constrained conditions. He encouraged the students to maintain curiosity and proactively build knowledge across remote sensing, geography, artificial intelligence, algorithms and aerospace engineering.
Faculty representative Zhou Yue spoke on learning, research and personal growth in the age of artificial intelligence. He noted that as large models become more capable, obtaining answers grows easier, making it all the more important to ask good questions, understand problems, and judge whether answers are reliable. “You may hand work to AI, but do not hand over your thinking to AI,” he said, adding that when using AI tools one should understand the principles behind the code and the conclusions. Mathematics, programming, spatial thinking, and the fundamentals of remote sensing and surveying and mapping remain the foundation of professional study. In research, data must be authentic and the principles of research integrity strictly observed. He also advised students to set their own pace of learning, tend to their physical and mental health, and seek help proactively from classmates, supervisors, counselors and relevant university departments when difficulties arise.
Current student representative Wang Qiuhao shared his experience in study and research and his reflections on campus life. He introduced the campus learning environment, the school's interdisciplinary courses and the undergraduate tutorial system, and advised new students to communicate proactively with teachers, take part in research training and join campus activities. On adapting to university life and making choices, he suggested clarifying direction through practical attempts and finding a rhythm of study and life that suits them.
New student representative Zhou Chongrong shared her reflections on starting university. She observed that spatial AI technology is evolving rapidly, and that research and study should be grounded in real needs, anchored on research directions, break down disciplinary barriers, and uncover breakthroughs in interdisciplinary integration. She called on all new students to make full use of the school's high-quality faculty, research platforms and industry-university-research resources, and to integrate their academic work into the broader cause of building a Digital China and achieving sci-tech self-reliance and strength.
The university emblem pinning ceremony that followed was solemn and warm. A university emblem is both a mark of identity for ECNU people and a symbol of mission and glory. Putting on the emblem signified that all new students had officially joined the big family of the School of Spatial Artificial Intelligence, East China Normal University.
Vice President Shi Guoyue delivered concluding remarks titled “Cultivating Outstanding Talents Between the Stars and the Code.” He introduced the university's educational heritage as well as the school's founding background, disciplinary foundation and development plan. He noted that the school draws on the interdisciplinary strengths of remote sensing and artificial intelligence to promote the coordinated development of basic research, applied research and the translation of results. He hoped the students would solidly master the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, mathematics, computer science and geography, adapt to the requirements of interdisciplinary talent cultivation, integrate personal aspirations into the country's economic and social development needs, use “transcendent thinking” to break down disciplinary barriers, contribute to sci-tech self-reliance and strength, and live out the youthful ideal of “studying to serve the nation.” Finally, he declared: The 2026 fall semester of the School of Spatial Artificial Intelligence, East China Normal University, is officially open!
A new starting point carries a new mission; a new journey calls for new endeavors. Standing at the forefront of the innovative development of spatial intelligence, may all 2026 new students take ECNU as fertile soil, their major as the foundation, and the times as the stage; may they delve deep into spatial artificial intelligence, study diligently and act earnestly, forge ahead with resolve, and, with youthful and striving selves, journey toward the mountains and seas and live up to the times.
