On September 2, 2026 Undergraduate Matriculation Ceremony of ZJUT-Exeter Joint Institute(ZUTE) was held in the Lecture Hall of Cunzhong Building, Zhaohui Campus. A total of 118 undergraduate students gathered from all over the country, embarked on a brand-new academic journey at ZUTE.

Distinguished guests from China and the UK attended the ceremony for this significant moment, including:

Professor Chen Jiming, President of Zhejiang University of Technology(ZJUT); Professor Zheng Huajun and Professor Wang Jianguo, Vice‑Presidents of ZJUT; Professor Yao Peng, Director of Student Affairs Office; Professor Liu Yujing, Executive Vice Dean of ZUTE; Professor Lisa Roberts, President of the University of Exeter; Professor Tim Quine, President’s Special Envoy of the University of Exeter; and Professor Bill Peng, Associate Dean for Global Engagement in the Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy.

All 2026 undergraduate freshmen, faculty and staff representatives, and parent representatives attended the event. The ceremony was presided over by Professor Qiu Mingming, Secretary of the General Party Branch of ZUTE.

On-site Photo

Qiu Mingming Presides Over the Matriculation Ceremony

Chen Jiming, President of ZJUT, extended a warm welcome to the delegation from the University of Exeter and the first cohort of new students of ZUTE. He stated that ZUTE integrates high-quality educational resources from both universities, and has three undergraduate majors focusing on digital intelligent transformation and global green development. He encouraged students to uphold independent thinking, develop interdisciplinary cognition, break disciplinary barriers, foster patriotism and global vision, and bravely pioneer the future and shoulder the missions of the era.

Chen Jiming Chen Jiming Delivers a Speech

Lisa Roberts, President of the University of Exeter, expressed great honour to attend the inaugural matriculation ceremony and welcome the first cohort of incoming students of ZUTE. She noted that the two universities have jointly built a world-class joint institute with shared visions. Based on over a decade of in-depth cooperative foundation, the institute has developed an interdisciplinary training model and fully integrated the concept of sustainable development into professional teaching. She encouraged the first cohort of students to cherish the precious learning opportunities, study diligently and practice earnestly, and grow into international talents with global vision and future adaptability.

Lisa Roberts Delivers a Speech

Liu Yujing , Executive Vice Dean of ZUTE, hoped that students would seize the opportunities of the new era, excel at thinking and innovation, forge ahead in the evolving digital and intelligent transformation era, apply what they have learned to practice, and contribute to social development.

Liu Yujing Delivers a Speech

Tim Quine , President’s Special Envoy of the University of Exeter, expressed gratitude to the students for choosing and trusting ZUTE. He hoped that students would make full use of the learning and growth opportunities in the coming years and cultivate future-oriented thinking patterns.

Tim Quine Delivers a Speech

Xu Tingxuan, representative of the 2026 undergraduate freshmen, delivered a speech, expressing her expectations for future study and life and vowing to strive for a splendid cross-cultural youth journey.

Xu Tingxuan Delivers a Speech

Wang Kanming, faculty representative, shared his insights with the students. He encouraged them to step out of the classroom, break through professional boundaries, and empower global development with professional knowledge and competence.

Wang Kanming Delivers a Speech

Subsequently, university leaders from China and the UK presented institute badges to all 2026 undergraduate freshmen.

The Institute Badge Presentation Ceremony

At the end of the ceremony, accompanied by the countdown of all teachers and students, student representatives placed their palms on the Tech Pillar, sealed the "Time Capsule", and lit up the brilliant light symbolizing the new journey.

Time Capsule Sealing Ceremony

Following the matriculation ceremony, Wang Jianguo, Vice President of ZJUT; Lisa Roberts, President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Exeter; institute leaders, together with all faculty, students and parents, attended the Parent Reception. Teachers, students and parents conducted in-depth discussions on growth confusion, future development paths, professional development directions and other topics. The Parent Reception has built an efficient home-school communication bridge, enabling families and the institute to cooperate synergistically to support students' growth and success.

Wang Jianguo delivers a speech at the Parent Reception

Lisa Roberts delivers a speech at the Parent Reception

Group Photo