Professor Xiong Wei’s Letter to SME Students and Parents

Dear Students and Parents,

In this unusually difficult winter, I sincerely wish you all stay safe and sound.

We understand that such unusual circumstances may arouse many concerns about your further studies, internships, and employment. While the WHO has declared an international public health emergency over the global outbreak of novel coronavirus, many of you may also worry about Exchange & Visiting Programs and study abroad opportunities. Please know that University administration and our Faculty are working on corresponding solutions.

From Feb 17, online courses will be offered and all teaching staff will provide help and support to the best of our ability. While we may not explore the outside world in person, we can use this opportunity to read extensively and gain more knowledge. I hope you will use this time to continue to enrich your minds with reading.

Please also maintain healthy lifestyle habits and spend more time with your family. When you start to work and live in a different city in the future, you may find yourself with much less time to accompany your family. You may also find that as your Parents age they are more vulnerable to these diseases. Please encourage them to stay at home and to wear masks whenever they go out. Please also cherish and enjoy your family time as much as possible.

During this unusual period, I also hope that you think independently and critically as you are bombarded with information. Strive to understand the crux of the problems behind the facts and understand the critical role of human kindness. I will also be very proud of you if you contribute to fighting against the novel coronavirus. We must all follow the government’s orders and expert’s suggestions, staying at home as much as you can. I also sincerely hope you have the patience and empathy that President Xu Yangsheng has called for. Try not to blame or complain, but care more for others, especially for your schoolmates from Hubei who are suffering a lot these days.

This will pass and everything will be fine. I believe that China will effectively contain and eventually defeat this epidemic. As spring blossoms, let us meet again by the Fairy Lake.

All best wishes,