With pomegranate blossoms brightening the season and melodies of learning continuing without pause, distinguished guests from all walks of life gathered for this special occasion. On May 30, our university successfully held a series of events for its 23rd Campus Open Day. International guests, alumni from various regions, parent representatives, and faculty and students came together in celebration—sharing friendship, discussing development, and marking this significant occasion.
The event showcased the university’s achievements in internationalized education and highlighted the vibrant charm of its diverse and integrated campus culture.
In the morning, a large-scale float parade themed “OUR FUTURE, OUR MOVE” officially kicked off the Campus Open Day celebrations. Seventeen creatively designed floats set off from the north square of the Administration Building and slowly proceeded along the main campus road.
Each float carried a distinct theme, including slogans such as “Integrating Chinese and Western Cultures, Connecting the Intelligent World,” “Student-Centered, Empowering Youth Through Intelligence,” “Dual-Institute Collaboration, Cultivating Future Talent,” “Smart Empowerment, Advancing Education,” “Innovation-Led, Winning the Future,” and “Upholding Tradition and Innovation, Fostering Wisdom and Diligence.”
The floats featured diverse designs that blended elements of Chinese and Western culture, technological innovation concepts, and the unique characteristics of different schools and colleges. With a strong sense of youthfulness and modernity, the parade vividly showcased the university’s achievements in talent cultivation and its vibrant campus culture, becoming a striking highlight of the campus scenery.
The Campus Open Day celebration was then held at the Opera House Teaching Theater.
Distinguished guests in attendance included Tisa Mason, President of Fort Hays State University (USA); Alysia Johnston and Neelima Parasker, members of the Kansas Board of Higher Education (USA); Michael Fett, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Administrative Officer of the Southwest Behavioral Health Center (USA); Dr. Chen Xiaochun, Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the university and President of the World Federation of United Nations Associations; Marija Orlandić, Head of Asian Affairs at the University of Donja Gorica (Montenegro); Yan Yudong, international basketball referee, doctoral supervisor, and recipient of the “Top Ten CBA Referees” award; Lu Xiaodong, researcher and doctoral supervisor at the Graduate School of Education, Peking University; Deng Siying, professor in the Department of Chinese Language and Literature at The Chinese University of Hong Kong; Lu Xiaojun, associate dean and doctoral supervisor at the School of Arts, Wuhan University; Cheng Yongqing, Vice President of Xijing University; and Shang Luying, alumna of the Class of 2007, President of the North America Alumni Association, and Global Chief Marketing Officer of Metavit Group.
Also present were representatives from more than 70 universities across China and abroad attending the Second International Forum on the Reform of the Residential College Education Model; over 80 athletes from six countries across three continents participating in the 2026 Sias Intercontinental Basketball Tournament; and 150 participants from 16 countries and regions attending the 2026 Sias International Summer Camp. Representatives from partner organizations of the School of Cross-border Digital Trade Industry and the School of Smart Health and Elderly Care Industry also attended, along with members of the university leadership team, returning alumni, parent representatives, and friends from all sectors of society.
The ceremony was presided over by Executive Vice President Wu Hua.
All attendees stood to sing the national anthem of the People’s Republic of China. The passionate singing and powerful, rhythmic melody resonated deeply, stirring strong emotions among all present
Dr. shawn chen delivered a welcome address, extending his sincere greetings to all distinguished guests, alumni, and parents. He noted that the Campus Open Day is not only a celebration and an open-campus event, but also a window into the university’s educational philosophy and future development direction.
He emphasized that the core value of a university lies in its vitality, openness, and capacity for self-renewal. The university has always been driven by innovation, continuously advancing initiatives in internationalized education, residential college reform, industry–education integration, and “AI + X” educational innovation, with a consistent focus on cultivating talent for the future.
In the era of artificial intelligence, he stressed that the university is committed to fostering students with global vision, independent thinking, interdisciplinary competence, and the ability to solve real-world problems. He also expressed hope that the Campus Open Day would serve as a bridge to open the university further to society, bringing together broader social resources and jointly promoting high-quality institutional development.
Shang Luying delivered a speech in which she fondly recalled her years of study at her alma mater. She expressed deep gratitude to Sias for giving her the courage and confidence to step onto the global stage and pursue innovation and entrepreneurship.
She shared a heartfelt story of how alumni connections from Sias provided support and warmth as she established her career overseas. Addressing current students, she encouraged them to remain adaptable and action-oriented amid the transformative wave of artificial intelligence and the global expansion of Chinese enterprises. She urged them to make full use of the international perspective and open mindset nurtured by the university, and to bravely embrace opportunities on the world stage.
She also stated that she would continue to serve as a bridge connecting alumni with the university, contributing to its future development.
At the ceremony, Dr shawn chen and Tisa Mason exchanged commemorative gifts, symbolizing the deep friendship and long-standing, stable cooperative relationship between the two universities.
The unveiling ceremonies of the School of Cross-border Digital Trade Industry and the School of Smart Health and Elderly Care Industry were held in succession, further deepening industry–education integration and university–enterprise cooperation, and injecting new momentum into disciplinary development and talent cultivation.
Michael Fett presented awards to the student representatives of the “Integrating Chinese and Western Cultures Scholarship.” He encouraged the students to study diligently, put knowledge into practice, and strive for excellence.
The cultural performance segment opened with an AI-themed dance piece, Blue Sky, Sea of Flowers. A series of performances then followed, including the dances Fragrant Fans Concealing Spring, Harmonious Homeland, Duality, Vibrant Bloom, and ShinePower; the song-and-dance pieces Youth Toward the Future and Autumn Verse; and a martial arts performance titled Ink Shadow Martial Style.
The performances were diverse in form and style, combining artistry with strong visual appeal. They were presented one after another in a dynamic and engaging sequence, showcasing the students’ artistic competence and youthful vitality, and earning enthusiastic applause from the audience throughout the venue.
On the morning of the same day, a series of activities were carried out in an orderly manner, including the International Art and Design Exhibition of University Students, the Graduation Design Exhibition of the Class of 2026, and the Parent Committee Vice-Chair Election alongside a Parent Communication Conference.
At the Campus Open Day luncheon held in the Library Banquet Hall, faculty members, students, and alumni gathered together to share memories of past years and extend their best wishes for the continued development of the university.
The afternoon program was equally vibrant and full of highlights. The final of the Sias Intercontinental Basketball Tournament kicked off with great excitement, where Chinese and international students engaged in friendly competition and cultural exchange through sport. At the Second International Forum on the Reform of the Residential College Education Model, experts and scholars gathered to explore new approaches to talent cultivation.
Meanwhile, the “Birdman Competition” and various water-based fun games brought continuous joy to campus, vividly demonstrating the university’s dynamic energy. The Kansas International College also held its graduation ceremony, marking a new beginning for its graduates.
In the evening, the Glow Run set off from the north square of the Administration Building, as students measured the campus with their footsteps and illuminated their youth with glowing lights. The Music Festival, held at the Moscow Red Square area, concluded the day with an electrifying atmosphere, as dynamic rhythms ignited the entire audience and brought the Campus Open Day to a perfect close.
This year’s float designs were especially innovative. The entire parade was truly breathtaking. The cultural performances were also outstanding, blending traditional culture with youthful energy. It was an incredibly joyful and unforgettable day!” one attendee said.
“The basketball game was absolutely thrilling! Chinese and international players competed on the same court, building friendship through sport. It was so exciting to watch—it truly represents the best form of youth!” another participant shared.
“As soon as I stepped onto the campus, I was impressed by the atmosphere. The environment is beautiful, the activities are rich and diverse, and the students are confident and cheerful. As parents, we feel reassured and confident sending our children to study and live at Sias,” a parent commented.
Faculty members, parents, and guests at the event shared their genuine impressions. Amid laughter and joy, they immersed themselves in the campus culture and, through interaction and exchange, truly experienced the warmth and spirit of the Sias community.
This Campus Open Day was presented through a rich and diverse series of activities, using exchange and interaction as a bridge to connect multiple dimensions, including academic dialogue, cultural performances, sports competitions, and home–school engagement.
Faculty, students, alumni, and parents came together in an atmosphere of warmth and joy, building mutual understanding and emotional resonance. The event not only demonstrated the university’s educational strength and cultural heritage, but also further strengthened the collaborative network among families, schools, and society in cultivating talent, injecting new vitality into the university’s pursuit of high-quality development.
Standing at a new starting point, the university will continue to uphold integrity while embracing innovation and maintaining openness and inclusiveness, steadily advancing toward a higher-quality educational journey and writing an even more brilliant chapter in talent cultivation.
