New Year Greetings to all faculty, students, alumni, and friends:

As the seasons change, new chapters unfold. 2024 draws near, and on behalf of Xi'an Jiaotong University (XJTU), we extend our sincere respect and New Year's wishes to all faculty, students, staff, retired faculty, alumni both at home and abroad, and friends from all walks of life who have long been supportive of the university.

In 2023, XJTU achieved new successes in fostering talent. The university explored and implemented innovative models for cultivating top-notch talent, established interdisciplinary centers, and founded the College of Outstanding Engineers. The selection of 510 industry mentors and the approval of 37 projects in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and industry partners highlighted our commitment to synergistic education initiatives. Twenty-two achievements were honored with national-level teaching awards, the third-most nationwide.

The university introduced 51 new national-level first-class undergraduate courses, totaling 129 approved courses, also the third-most nationally. Additionally, XJTU students excelled in events such as the "Challenge Cup" and "Internet+" competitions, with a 98.5-percent employment rate for graduates.

Last year, there were new breakthroughs in technological innovation. The university has made significant progress in promoting organized scientific research, with remarkable achievements made in the construction of national major science and technology infrastructure, national medical centers, key national laboratories, and national industry-education integration innovation platforms. The school has undertaken major and multi-million-dollar projects, reaching historic highs, and has achieved a series of landmark accomplishments in various fields.

XJTU has taken the lead in winning awards at the provincial and ministerial levels, as well as significant awards for scientific and technological achievements. As the first-author unit, the university has published two papers in "Science" and has participated in or co-authored over ten papers in "Nature," "Science," and "Cell." The university has also been awarded two China Patent Excellence Awards, more than any other university in the nation. Additionally, one think tank from XJTU has been selected for the CTTI Top 100 University Think Tanks A+ category.

Last year, the school's faculty saw significant improvements. More than 80 national-level talents have been added to the team. Several individuals and teams have been honored with awards such as the "National University Huang Danian-style Teacher Team," the National Innovation Vanguard Award, the Wu Wenjun Artificial Intelligence Highest Achievement Award, the Hua Luogeng Mathematics Award, and the Ho Leung Ho Lee Foundation Scientific and Technological Progress Award.

During the same period, the school pioneered a new pattern of openness and cooperation. In line with the spirit of "supporting universities in Central Asian countries to join the University Alliance of the Silk Road (UASR)," XJTU has implemented an upgrade action for the UASR by hosting the "University Alliance of the Silk Road Forum 2023," establishing the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Industry-Education Alliance, and promoting the construction of the Silk Road International College.

The university also released the XJTU Global Development Action Plan 2030," participated in forums and dialogues among university presidents from China, the United States, Europe, Japan, Mexico, and others, consistently enhancing its international influence.

Furthermore, the university organized the Central Asia-China Higher Education Cooperation Forum, collaborated in establishing the China-Central Asia Joint Research Center for Rule of Law, inaugurated the Innovation Center in Uzbekistan, and established the China Center at Samarkand State University. These initiatives contributed to the deepening and solidification of the high-quality development of the BRI.

Also in 2023, XJTU continuously improved its institutional normative system, consistently optimized organizational restructuring, shifted the focus of management, and enhanced governance capabilities. Livelihood projects, such as the renovation of old housing, home-based elderly care services, and targeted financial assistance, have been strongly promoted. Efforts to build civilized, smart, safe, and green campuses have yielded fruitful results. Through collaborative construction and sharing, faculty and students have experienced a greater sense of achievement, happiness, and security.

A sincere thanks to all faculty, students, staff, and alumni for their hard work and dedication over the past year. We are wishing everyone a happy New Year and smooth sailing in all your endeavors!