The opening ceremony of the Third Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST) Global Competence Talents Class (2025-2026) was held on Dec 20, 2025, marking the formal launch of a new cohort dedicated to cultivating internationally competitive talent.

Li Donglin, former Country Director of the International Labour Organization and former Director General of the department of international cooperation at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and Zhang Yao, Vice Chair of the University Committee, attended the ceremony.

Zhang presented the class flag and reaffirmed HUST’s commitment to nurturing innovative talent with global competitiveness, emphasizing the goal of developing young people who understand China and can confidently engage with the world. He encouraged participants to strengthen their sense of national responsibility, enhance their professional competence through practice, and broaden their global outlook so they can respond proactively to global opportunities and challenges.

Li spoke highly of HUST’s long-standing alignment with national strategies and its achievements in international talent cultivation. He urged students to anchor their development in national commitment, sharpen professional skills, enhance cross-cultural communication, and build resilience so they can become globally competent professionals familiar with international norms and rules.

Xu Mingwu, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, presented the program’s third-edition training framework and its recent enhancements. Student representatives also shared their perspectives.

Following the ceremony, Li delivered a lecture on the qualities required for global competence talents in global governance.

Jointly organized by the Office of International Affairs (Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan affairs Office), the School of Foreign Languages, and other units, the program selected 70 undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students from 29 schools and colleges.

Source: School of Foreign Languages, HUST