Dear Faculty and Staff, Students, and Alumni,

Spring is coming and the new year is about to begin. As we ring out the old year and ring in the new, on behalf of the university, as well as Chancellor WU Guilong, I would like to extend warm New Year greetings and best wishes to all our faculty and staff, students, retired personnel, alumni, and friends from all walks of life.

Looking back at 2022, we celebrated the triumphant convening of the 20^th National Congress of CPC together, which illuminates the path for development with the light of faith. What heartened us was the inspiring letter from President XI Jinping to the senior professors at USTB before our 70^th anniversary; what moved us was the unity of all members of USTB to confront the challenges and overcome the difficulties of the pandemic. We are looking forward that the blueprint of the Xiong’an Campus will turn into a reality soon to hold the promise of development.

Looking back at 2022, we concentrated our minds and souls on studying and implementing the spirit of the 20^th CPC National Congress. Meetings of mobilization and deployment were held immediately, setting off a wave of learning, thinking, and practicing enlightenment. We promptly carried out strategic planning, systematic outline, and integrated promotion of education, science and technology, as well as talent cultivation. We fully applied the Party’s innovative theories to guide the development of our cause.

Looking back at 2022, we followed the past and heralded the future, celebrating the 70^th anniversary of USTB. Looking back on the past seven decades, we have kept pace with the development of China, with the call of the people, and with the reform of education. Looking forward to the future, we dream of building a world-class university with distinctive characteristics at the centenary of USTB and building on the spirit of unity and hard work.

Looking back at 2022, we planned at a high level and promoted the construction of a first-class university in depth. USTB insists on planning-centered development and drives the development of discipline clusters by the first-class subjects. Four disciplines, including History of Science and Technology, Materials Science and Engineering, Metallurgical Engineering, and Mining Engineering, were included in the new round of “Double First-class” construction disciplines. Nine disciplines were ranked in the top 500 of the 2022 QS World University Rankings. Nineteen disciplines of USTB were listed in the 2022 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects (GRAS), with our Metallurgical Engineering ranking 1^st in the world again.

Looking back at 2022, we emphasized the student-centered approach to improve the quality of talent cultivation. We continued to promote education and teaching reform, consolidate and deepen the mentorship system for undergraduates, and fully implement the thorough-training programs from undergraduate to graduate studies. We established the School of Elite Engineers and explored innovative models to cultivate excellent engineering talents. USTB was awarded among the first batch of the “National School of Innovation and Entrepreneurship.” Nearly 1,000 graduates have gone to China's central and western regions to build up their careers and serve the country. The high-caliber talents of USTB who remain true to the Party, with high ideals, professional competence, and strong will to serve the country, are the future of USTB and the hope of China!

Looking back at 2022, we valued talents and innovatively promoted the construction of our faculty team. We continued to promote the reform of educational evaluation and optimize the professional title and employment ranking system. We upgraded the "USTB Scholars" talent support plan, continued to optimize the policy of talent introduction and another 32 national-level talents joined us in 2022. All members of the faculty team have carried the spirit of rigorous research and dedicated teaching to nurture more high-caliber talents. We are truly grateful for your hard work!

Looking back at 2022, we worked together and strived to improve our strength in scientific and technological innovation. We focused on strengthening organized scientific research, improving strategic scientific and technological strength, and serving high-quality and independent technological innovation. The major national science and technology infrastructure projects have passed evaluation and were accepted. USTB has been granted the major projects of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) for five consecutive years, with 18 new national key research and development projects and two major projects of the National Social Science Fund of China (NSSFC). One achievement was published in Nature. We have demonstrated the mission and responsibility of USTB again with our core strength.

Looking back at 2022, we operated the university with open-up enrollment worldwide and continued to strengthen international exchanges and cooperation. We adhered to the concept of internationalization in school-running, established cooperative relations with world-class universities such as the University College London, and joined the Belt and Road Architectural University International Consortium. 39 national talent-introduction projects were approved in carbon neutrality and other fields. We will continue to promote high-standard opening up to the world and seek new opportunities for development.

Looking back at 2022, we worked hard to improve the reputation of our university. Two teachers of USTB have won the National May 1^st Labor Medal, and one team was selected into the 2^nd batch of the "National University HUANG Danian-style teaching team." 401 teachers and students of USTB served as volunteers in the "Dual Olympic City." Good news from alumni who worked in different fields across China spread frequently. 19 alumni attended the 20^th National Congress of the CPC, one alumnus won the National May 1^st Labor Medal, and two alumni won the May 4^th Youth Medal. Members of USTB are always shining in the place where the country needs them!

Start from the nil and down-to-earth. Seventy years ago, a group of people shouldered the dream of building a powerful country and set sail from the uncultivated land when the country was most in need. Over the 70 years, a group of people kept in mind of their original aspiration to serve the country and forged the iron and steel backbone of China at the crucial moment of national development. Let us inherit and carry forward the spirit of our predecessors, adhere to the characteristics, strive for excellence without regret, and deliver a satisfactory answer sheet to the people, the country, and the times.

We sincerely wish you all a happy and healthy New Year!

Translation: JI Shuang & ZHANG Guolin

Revision: CHENG Mingyuan & TANG Hui