The academic year 2025/2026 has started!
Students and faculty officially celebrated the opening of the new academic year when they gathered in the SDC building after a four-day introduction for all Chinese, Danish, and international students.
A group of Chinese students from the 2024 and 2025 cohorts had been dedicated to help the incoming students settle down, and it was appreciated.
Student Thit Norborg from the Innovation Management programme gave a speech on behalf of the international students:
“Thank you for asking questions - thank you for answering questions - thank you for smiling, for being patient, kind, and best of all, helpful. I think I speak for all the international students when I say that we all feel so welcome and seen by all of our new Chinese classmates,” she said.
A window to our world
Wu Xinran will study the Neuroscience and Neuroimaging programme and reflected on why the students have chosen to study at SDC:
“We were attracted by the promise of a Danish-inspired education, known for its creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative spirit – beautifully integrated with China’s profound depth of knowledge and rapid development. We chose not just a college, but a platform, a window to our world, and an opportunity to learn with and from the best partners.”
Vice President of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lin Xiao, also welcomed the new cohort:
“Through international cooperation, I believe that you will be able to broaden your horizons and enhance comprehensive qualities for future study and career. As members of SDC, you will have the opportunity to experience a unique educational model.”
2025 – a special year
Wang Haiyan, the Chinese Dean of SDC, reminded students and faculty that the 2025 opening ceremony held special significance. The year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Denmark, as well as the 50th anniversary of relations between China and the EU. She referenced a previous statement from the Embassy of Denmark in China, noting that although Denmark and China do not see eye to eye on everything, the relationship is characterized by valuable cooperation.
“I think these remarks are very practical and full of wisdom. And are also applies to describe the cooperation between us. At SDC, it is quite important for students to learn from each other and to understand different cultures to enhance understanding and cooperation,” Wang Haiyan said.
Agents of change
Stine Haakonsson, the Danish Principal Coordinator of the Social Science theme, emphasized that studying abroad at SDC is a great opportunity to get new insights into the world.
“Hopefully you will become agents of change. From innovation studies we know that if you engage in networks that are diverse in nature, you will be more innovative. You will be brokers, bridge builders and integrators. This makes the SDC community very unique, you are strong and brave to be here,” she stated.
Do something, anything – but do it together!
The Danish director Morten Laugesen ended the opening ceremony by appreciating the students for their courage:
“You are all here because you have made the brave choice of doing something special with your lives. When you applied for SDC, you all made a brave and visionary decision to pursue an international degree. By deciding to study at SDC in Beijing, you have demonstrated a deep understanding of the significance of international collaboration and mutual understanding in today's interconnected world,” he said.
Morten Laugesen also reminded the students that learning not only takes place in the classrooms:
“It takes place everywhere: in the breaks between classes, during group work in the evening, in the dorms at night, on the streets and in the markets, at the KTV bars and on the sports field… Do something, anything, but do it together,” he said.
The opening ceremony also marked the beginning of the academic introduction days, where students will spend time with their lecturers and fellow classmates within their specific study programmes.
