On September 14, 2020, the first class meeting of 2020 WIPO-Tongji MIP in Design and Chinese Government IP Master Degree Program Class（WIPO-Tongji MIP in Design and B&R MIP Class）was held in Room 1004, Zhonghe Building. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, 29 international students from 17 countries attended the conference via ZOOM in the home country to gather with 25 Chinese students. Assistant Prof. Wang Yukai, the headteacher of the 2020 WIPO-Tongji MIP in Design and B&R MIP Class presided over the meeting. Counselor Ms. Han Yue attended as well.

After the warm welcome from Prof. Wang, 46 new students introduced themselves in turn. Assistant Prof. Wang hoped that international students can accept the challenges of online learning at home and overcome difficulties. He advised all students to establish study groups in order to study together and help each other. Ms. Han introduced the study arrangement and the rules that should be followed in university.

Zhang Yumeng (from China in the WIPO program): We have experienced a long holiday due to the influence of COVID-19, and now the new semester begins! I'm so excited to start to study in SICIP! I also hope to study with international students in Shanghai as soon as possible. Although there is a lot of pressure to learn the courses of WIPO class, I will try my best to cope with the challenge. I really hope that I can learn more professional knowledge, improving my ability to professional English simultaneously.

Peng Yaoyao (from China in the WIPO program): In the golden autumn of September, the WIPO class held an international class meeting, where students from home and abroad gathered together. I was so excited about the all-English teaching methods and international training pattern. Choosing SICIP and choosing WIPO class means a bright future！

Fu Jiqin (from China in the WIPO program): It is really lucky for me to join the WIPO program of the SICIP and have classmates from more than ten countries. Although we have to gather on the cloud at present, I look forward to meeting them and have face-to-face communication soon.

Fahimeh Rastegar (from Iran in WIPO program): Actually, I was so excited all these two days, but I also had some worries like time differences. Some of our classes are at 4:00 am here. And the voices were so unclear. It’s difficult to hear another language, and it’s even harder to imagine what happens when you can’t hear clearly. And I’m always thinking that if I couldn't go to Shanghai for our second semester, I'll be so upset. I know they were lots of negative but I’m so excited and happy about studying at this university.

Jerome (from Ghana in B&R program): I actually cannot express the joy of been accepted to read MIP at Tongji. I am ready to face the challenges posed by online courses and time difference. I hope I can happily complete my study and research and become an expert in the field of intellectual property. The reception from the Chinese students has been phenomenal. They have helped us every step of the way and that gives me an assurance that I am not alone. I cannot wait to see my classmates and group mates in person.