On September 18, 2017, the opening ceremony is held for freshmen of 2017 of Chongqing University-University of Cincinnati United at the Lecture Hall of the Library. Liu Hanlong, vice president of Chongqing University, American dean of the United School, Tom Huston, Zhang Zhiqing, vice dean, the University of Cincinnati delegation and Chinese teaching staff of the United School are all present at the ceremony, apart from all undergraduate freshmen of 2017. Vice Dean Zhang Zhiqing presides over the opening ceremony.

Vice President Liu Hanlong states in his speech that Chongqing University has been sticking to the international development strategy and has maintained a favorable cooperation relation with 117 well-known colleges and universities, as well as a great number of foreign and oversea companies and research institutions from more than 20 countries, including the USA, the UK, France, Germany and Russia. Chongqing University-University of Cincinnati United School, as the “pacesetter” for internationalization of the undergraduate education of Chongqing University, was established in 2013. It can always find the correct international school-running orientation, and solve the difficulties and challenges encountered during the joint school running. During the process, Chongqing  University gas gained extensive experience in China-foreign cooperative school running, and has played a demonstrating role. Liu expresses his hope that the freshmen of 2017 would grasp the learning opportunity and fully utilize the development platform of the United School, and that they could remain enthusiastic, curious, reflective, and positive to improve their comprehensive quality, and eventually develop into talents with international horizon and the profound knowledge of Chinese and American culture.

Vice Dean Zhang Zhiqing delivers a welcome speech. In the speech, Zhang extends his sincere congratulations to the freshmen newly admitted to the United School, and welcomes the American delegation coming from afar. He gives a detailed introduction to the Chinese teaching staff of the United  School, and goes over briefly the current situation of the School and the Co-op cultivation mode.

American Dean Tom Huston and UC officials also deliver speeches at the opening ceremony successively. Furthermore, the American dean gives an introduction to the opening ceremony and the joint school-running mode.

After that, as a tradition of the opening ceremony of the School, symbolic cultural T-shirts are handed out to the 88 freshmen. Under the lead of SOLs and the teaching assistant, the “down to drive” activity is held, which makes the ceremony relaxing and enjoyable.

The grand opening of the School is reflection of the emphasis laid on the joint school-running by the two universities. UC United School will make joint efforts to build a joint school-running brand with support of Chongqing University and the University of Cincinnati, and it is bound to achieve great success in cultivating international talents and improving the international level of Chongqing  University.