On the afternoon of October 14, the School of Traffic and Transportation at Beijing Jiaotong University (BJTU) held a welcome event for the new students of the joint education program with Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) in the Lecture Hall of the Transport Equipment Teaching Building. The event aimed to help the 2025 cohort gain a deeper understanding of the program, foster interaction between faculty and students, and lay a solid foundation for their future studies and campus life.

      The session opened with remarks from Vice Dean Bai Yun, who extended a warm welcome to all new students and gave a comprehensive introduction to the program’s development, distinctive features, and four-year curriculum. This was followed by a speech from Professor Rob Goverde of TU Delft, who offered an insightful overview of TU Delft’s rich history, academic structure, and its mission to cultivate globally minded engineers.

      After the opening session, all participants gathered for a group photo to mark this memorable occasion. Afterwards, Professor Gonçalo Correia from the Department of Transport and Planning at TU Delft gave an overview of the department’s distinctive achievements in research and education, providing the new students with a clear vision of their future learning paths and development opportunities.

      Then came a lively ice-breaking session, during which the new students introduced themselves, showcased their personalities, and engaged in animated discussions with faculty members from both universities. They eagerly asked questions about the curriculum, research directions, and overseas study opportunities, while the professors responded with thoughtful and detailed explanations, creating a warm and engaging atmosphere.

      The event also featured a special academic lecture titled “Towards Door-to-Door Intercity Public Transport: First/Last Mile Access and Efficient Railway Operations.” The two professors from TU Delft gave a comprehensive presentation on the current challenges and innovative solutions for first- and last-mile connections in intercity travel, with a particular focus on efficient railway operations. They also shared the cutting-edge research outcomes and real-world applications in the field. The lecture, rich in academic depth and forward-looking perspectives, provided students with fresh insights and valuable inspiration.

      This welcome event not only deepened the students’ understanding of the BJTU–TUDelft joint education program, but also built a strong bridge of communication between faculty and students. Its successful organization marks another step forward in the collaboration between the two universities. It is believed that the 2025 cohort will take this as a new starting point, fully leverage the high-quality educational resources offered by both universities, and grow into innovative transportation professionals with global vision and a commitment to excellence.