On the afternoon of February 13, the 2026 Faculty-Student Chinese New Year Gala was held at the main station of the University’s “One-Stop” Student Community. Xu Yeqin, Secretary of the University Party Committee; Fang Debin, Standing Committee Member of the University Party Committee and Vice President; and Cai Qiong, Standing Committee Member of the University Party Committee, gathered together with faculty and students staying on campus over the holiday, sharing in the festive atmosphere and experiencing the warmth of community. The gala, themed “Ten Thousand Steeds Gallop, Together We Build Dreams”, offered a warm and culturally enriching New Year celebration for faculty and students remaining on campus during this time of bidding farewell to the old and welcoming the new.
Faculty and Students Celebrate the New Year Together. (Photo provided by the Student Affairs Department of the University Party Committee)
Around 2:00 p.m., the event kicked off with lively warm-up activities. Faculty and students exchanged New Year greetings, wrote couplets on site, and watched as auspicious lions leaped and danced, with the atmosphere gradually heating up. The warm-up performance,Awakening Lions Greet the Year of the Horse, ignited the enthusiasm of the audience with its powerful drumbeats and agile lion dances.
The Warm-Up Session Was Festive and Joyful. (Photo provided by the Student Affairs Department of the University Party Committee)
At 3:00 p.m., the gala officially commenced. Lions danced with joy, awakening millennial blessings; steeds galloped with vigor, stirring heroic spirit across thousands of miles. Xu Yeqin performed the dotting ceremony for the auspicious lions, intoning: “First dot on the left eye — with a sparkle bright; second dot on the right eye — with blessings in sight”. This bestowed New Year blessings upon faculty and students and symbolized that in the coming year, they would unite as one, spur their steeds forward, and embark on a new journey together.
On behalf of the University’s Party Committee, administration, and all faculty and staff, Xu Yeqin extended New Year blessings to the faculty and students staying on campus over the holiday. He noted that in 2025, the University focused firmly on the principal task of forging a strong sense of community for the Chinese nation, advancing with steady steps and achieving stable and far-reaching progress. He put forward three expectations for students staying on campus over the holiday: First, in quiet dedication, strengthen your foundation — let your time on campus become a period of self-reflection and renewal. Second, in shared companionship, feel the warmth — express gratitude to your teachers and peers, and let your family know you are safe and well. Third, in looking ahead, embrace your mission — dedicate your youthful energy to the University’s growth and the nation’s progress.
Exchanging New Year Greetings. (Photo provided by the Student Affairs Department of the University Party Committee)
Following this, a brilliant cultural performance unfolded. A band performance ignited the venue, integrating the University motto of “Faithful in Learning, Broad-minded by Nature” into youthful melodies. The Sichuan OperaFace-Changingcaptivated the audience with every move showcasing the exquisiteness and charm of traditional art. Community counselors delivered a warm chorus ofDear You, vividly demonstrating the University’s broad-minded cultural heritage and uplifting spirit. Meanwhile, a variety of interactive games, including “Name That Tune”, musical chairs, lung capacity challenges, and word-guessing games related to the Year of the Horse, brought smiles and laughter to the students present. The lucky draw segment brought wave after wave of surprises and warmth, repeatedly pushing the atmosphere to new heights.
The Scene Was Filled with Joy and Harmony. (Photo provided by the Student Affairs Department of the University Party Committee)
Finally, all attendees joined in a chorus of “Love My China”. The heartfelt and uplifting melody brought the New Year Gala to a perfect conclusion, symbolizing that all SCMU members will move forward with confidence, hand in hand in the new year, united in building dreams and riding the waves on their journey toward advancing the “Double First-Class” initiative.
