Shenzhen Loop Area Institute (SLAI) wrapped up its 2026 orientation season in early September, capping a month of activities that welcomed the Institute's incoming doctoral students and prepared them for the research journey ahead. From the first arrivals on August 3 and the start of English pre-sessional courses on August 24 to centralized check-in in early September, new doctoral students from different regions found their way to the young institute over the course of a month, bringing fresh energy to its campus. SLAI welcomes all doctoral students of the 2026 cohort as they begin their research journey here. 

Video (WeChat Channels): https://weixin.qq.com/sph/ArWO78oiQr

01 One-Stop Check-In Makes for a Smooth First Day

The first members of the 2026 cohort arrived on campus on August 3. A one-stop check-in service—clearly organized and smoothly coordinated—helped them complete registration and move-in quickly and settle into campus life and the Institute's academic environment from day 1.

The day was both a first encounter with SLAI and the start of years to be spent alongside faculty mentors and classmates, with new surroundings and new faces turning anticipation toward the research ahead.

02 Safety Inspection Secures Campus Ahead of Semester

On August 20, Ping Yang, Party Committee Secretary of the Institute, led a pre-semester safety inspection of key facilities, including the research centers, power distribution rooms, and the network aggregation room. He was joined by heads of the Administrative and Facilities Services Office, the Admission and Registry Office, and the AI Engineering Center.

The team reviewed equipment performance, the implementation of safety protocols, and the progress of semester preparations, issuing on-the-spot rectification requests to ensure nothing was overlooked. Stressing that safety and stability are the bottom line of the Institute's development, Yang called on every center and office to put "safety first, prevention foremost" and laid out 3 priorities: optimize space planning and tighten the management of chemical reagents; upgrade supporting facilities and the campus environment; and keep a close watch on key risks with strict on-duty coverage.

The inspection reinforced safety awareness in every corner of campus operations, setting the stage for a smooth start to the semester.

The inspection team reviews the spatial layout and laboratory planning of the research centers.

The inspection team examines equipment operation and power supply arrangements on site.

The inspection team checks on construction progress in the network aggregation room.

The inspection team reviews the operation of the fire safety and monitoring systems, along with on-duty staffing arrangements.

03 Pre-Sessional Courses Build Language Skills and Momentum

8月24日，英语先修课程正式开课。部分新生提前到校，在沉浸式英语授课与互动研讨中，快速适应国际化学术节奏，夯实语言与认知基础。

English pre-sessional courses began on August 24. Students who arrived early adjusted quickly to an international academic pace through immersive English instruction and interactive seminars, building a solid language and cognitive foundation.

Outside the classroom, ice-breaking games helped new classmates bond, while the English Academic Pub offered a relaxed setting to swap research interests and ideas, planting the seeds of cross-disciplinary collaboration.

SLAI also organized a visit to Tencent, where students got a first-hand look at the innovation ecosystem of a leading tech company and a broader perspective spanning academia and industry.

The brief pre-sessional program delivered both knowledge and friendship, giving students a running start into doctoral life.

04 Centralized Check-In Brings Students From Different Regions to SLAI

On September 2, with the campus freshly decked out, centralized check-in for the new students officially began.

Bold signage at the south gate and clear directions greeted the arrivals, with staff and volunteers in place early. Backed by a digital check-in system and hands-on guidance, students moved through every step without a hitch, from information confirmation and document verification to QR code registration, supply pickup, and housing arrangements.

Names once known only through admission letters and online exchanges became familiar faces on campus. Hailing from different partner universities, disciplines, and backgrounds, the young scholars now share a single identity: members of SLAI's 2026 doctoral cohort.

05 Orientation Assembly Clarifies Rules and Charts the Path Ahead

On September 3, SLAI held the orientation assembly for the new doctoral students.

Heads of the Institute's administrative offices walked the students through the talent development framework, student status rules, course selection, student development support, campus IT systems, and housing and logistics services. Together, these briefings mapped out the resources and pathways ahead, spanning study, research, and daily life.

Professional trainers also delivered dedicated sessions on fire safety and telecom and online fraud prevention, giving the students their first lesson in campus safety.

The assembly looked beyond rules to the longer run: SLAI faculty, industry innovation guests, and outstanding senior students spoke about the meaning of doctoral study, the choices and perseverance that research demands, and the meeting of academia and industry, sketching a range of paths the new students might take.

06 Research Showcase Turns the Focus to Academic Exchange

With the opening ceremony concluded, the orientation season turned from settling in to digging into research.

On the afternoon of September 4, the SLAI Research Showcase & Ideas Fair 2026 took place as scheduled, where students from the 2025 and 2026 cohorts presented research posters and traded progress updates and new ideas in in-depth conversations with faculty and industry guests.

A single poster can distill tireless exploration, and a brief exchange may be the starting point of future collaborations and breakthroughs. Designed as an open arena rather than a one-way exhibition, the fair encouraged new students to ask bold questions and talk across disciplines, broadening horizons and forging new connections.

By an on-site vote of faculty, students, and guests, the fair presented 3 honors: Most Inspiring Idea, Most Promising Project, and Best Research Journey.

Beyond the applause and honors, every idea was seen and every effort recognized, each a spark that may well ignite future innovation.

07 Welcome Dinner Brings the Season to a Warm Close

After a day of formal ceremonies and rigorous academic exchange, the welcome dinner for the new students opened on a warm note.

An opening round of Bingo broke the ice as students moved between tables, cards in hand, making friends over laughter. Professor Zhi Quan (Tom) Luo, Executive Dean of SLAI, raised a toast to welcome the new incomers with his best wishes, and everyone joined him in raising their glasses as the dinner officially began.

Over dinner, faculty and students traded stories of hometowns, campus life, and research ambitions,  and the easy, genuine conversation quietly deepened the bonds between teachers and classmates.

Raffles and performances followed in turn, drawing rounds of cheers and applause and giving students a stage to express themselves and share in the joy. A day spent on research gave way to an evening of connection, as the dinner brought the orientation season to a warm, fitting close.

The Season Concludes as a New Chapter Begins

The orientation season ran from the first arrival on August 3 to the final event on September 4. Over the month, hesitant self-introductions grew into confident academic discussions, and individuals arriving on their own became members of a close-knit scholarly community. The season has formally concluded; the story of the 2026 cohort has only just begun.

The road of research is rarely smooth. There may be experiments that fail, hypotheses that need rebuilding, open questions, and long stretches of quiet persistence. Through it all, the Institute will remain their staunchest support: a place to question boldly, explore freely, and venture into uncharted fields; to find companions for the journey; and to count on encouragement and professional support whenever the path grows uncertain.

With curiosity, courage, and perseverance, the 2026 cohort now sets out alongside mentors and peers to take on the defining questions of their fields.