On September 11th, Li Zhaohu, Vice Chairman of University Council and President of BFU, gave a lecture to the new graduate students of 2024 entitled "Strengthening the Foundation of Academic Integrity, Fostering a Culture of Scientific Truth-Seeking, and Aspiring to be Pioneers in Ecological Civilization Development". This session, considered the inaugural lesson of the academic year focused on scientific ethics and the development of a positive academic culture, was chaired by Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School, Li Xiong. The lecture was streamed live to a main venue and sub-venues, attended by leaders from the President's Office, Graduate Work Department, the Graduate Work Department of the Party Committee, the Graduate School, deputy secretaries of college Party committees, representatives of graduate student counsellors, and over 3000 new graduate students.

The presentation outlined BFU's innovative school-running model of "One University with Two Campuses" and celebrated the significant achievements of faculty and students, including academicians, who have made their mark by harvesting fruitful studies from exploration of the vast territory of our motherland. He addressed the importance of upholding academic integrity and maintaining research ethics through introducing the expectations of academic conduct, handling academic misconduct, examples of breaches in academic norms, and the essentials of performing scientific experiments.

Li Zhaohu stressed that academic integrity and research ethics are the foundation of a student's academic journey, making it both important and necessary to address these topics in the first lecture for new graduate students, which will help students achieve steady, long-term success in their research. He urged the new graduate students to adopt "seeking truth from facts" as the guiding principle of their academic careers, adhere to academic standards, and enhance their innovation skills, striving to become exemplary researchers.

Li also expressed three aspirations for the new graduate students. First, to maintain their academic integrity, develop virtue and skills, and align their thoughts and actions. Second, to relentlessly pursue truth, uphold ethical principles while fostering innovation, and take the lead in new developments. Third, to embrace their generational duties, actively engage with practical challenges, and contribute to the nation's green initiatives.

As the session concluded, Li engaged in a warm exchange with the new graduate students who were presented.

After attending the first lesson, the new graduate students expressed that they found the session extremely valuable and rewarding. They pledged to uphold academic ethics, embrace the spirit of truth-seeking in science, carry forward the legacy of great scientists, and strive to become responsible and dedicated researchers.

Written by Cui Xiao
Translated and edited by Song He
Reviewed by Yu Yangyang