On September 25th, the Opening Ceremony of Dual-Degree Program of 2021 Cohort in Environmental Science jointly conducted by Northwest A&F University and University of Arizona was held in the lecture hall of the North Campus. Prof. Wang Yonggang (Vice-President of University of Arizona), Prof. Charles Kenneth Smith (Chief Coordinator of dual-degree program), Prof. Luo Jun (Vice-President of Northwest A&F University), Yan Dezhong (Party Secretary of the College of Natural Resources and Environment), and Prof. Tian Xiaohong (Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment) attended the opening ceremony. Relevant Staff from the Registrar Office, International Cooperation and Exchange Office, College of Natural Resources and Environment, and 85 freshmen attended the ceremony with the freshmen' counselors and parents who watched the live broadcast online.

First of all, Prof. Luo Jun, on behalf of the Northwest A&F University, extended a warm welcome to the delegates from the University of Arizona who attended the opening ceremony, and at the same time, expressed heartfelt congratulations to 85 freshmen of 2021 cohort. He said that in order to establish a world-class agricultural university, we must be in line with international standards and adhere to the road of education internationalization. Therefore, our university has formulated the development strategy of running international projects and actively expanded the cooperation and exchange of international education. In addition, vice-president Luo Jun introduced the background and basic situation of dual-degree program in environmental science with the University of Arizona in the United States, and places ardent expectations on all freshmen. (1) First, he expressed the hope that students could cherish their feelings for their homeland, keep their enthusiasm for learning, take on the mission firmly and confidently endowed by the times. (2) Second, students should cherish the favorable resources provided by this dual-degree program, study hard, constantly improve their abilities in various fields, and lay a good foundation for further strengthening international academic exchanges in professional fields. (3) Third, students should always keep in mind the university motto featuring honesty, honesty and courage, keep the determination to overcome difficulties, and be pragmatic and creative, carry forward the spirit of Northwest A&F University, and be practitioners of ecological civilization construction！

Prof. Wang Yonggang, Vice-President of Arizona University, warmly welcomed all freshmen to join the University of Arizona and start a new chapter. He expressed the hope that all freshmen can cherish their time, study hard, and grow into outstanding talents who are self-reliant, learn to communicate and express themselves, learn to tap their own potentials and learn from others.

Prof. Tian Xiaohong, dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment of NWAFU, warmly welcomed 85 freshmen, and expressed his welcome and gratitude to President Wang Yonggang and Prof. Charles Kenneth Smith. Prof. Tian Xiaohong introduced the basic situation of the college from six aspects: historical evolution, institutional setup, disciplines, teaching staff, scientific research, social services and international cooperation and exchanges, and encouraged freshmen to study hard.

Prof. John Chorover, director of the Department of Environmental Science of the University of Arizona, gave a vivid and detailed introduction to the university environment and resources and environmental science major by video, then sorted out the basic situation and advantages of the cooperative school-running projects between the two universities, and expressed his expectation for further cooperation between the two universities in the field of scientific research. Prof. Li Zhi, assistant dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment of NWAFU, gave a detailed introduction on the application background and process, training scheme, teachers and main advantages of the project. Prof. Charles Kenneth Smith, the chief coordinator of the Sino-foreign cooperative education program of the University of Arizona, expressed his confidence in the future of this Sino-foreign cooperative education program. As the representative of freshman, Li Xiao said that following the university motto of honesty, simplicity and courage, all students should devote their wisdom and strength to the historical process of striving for the prosperity and strength of China on the road of building a world-class university

After the ceremony, all the participants took a group photo in front of the library building.

All students are expected to cherish the platform provided by the dual-degree program, live up to the times, have a long-term ambition, be confident and resilient, and jointly write a new chapter in their lives!