Harbin Institute of Technology's Heartwarming Spring Festival Gesture for Stay-on-Campus Students
On February 16, 2026, which marked Lunar New Year's Eve—the most important night of the Chinese Spring Festival—Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), one of China's premier engineering universities, transformed its campuses into festive havens for over 1,300 students who remained on site. Unable to travel home for the annual family reunion, these students were greeted with a lavish 106-dish New Year's Eve dinner, symbolizing the institution's upcoming 106th anniversary since its founding in 1920. This thoughtful initiative, coupled with 200 yuan red envelope subsidies and a array of cultural activities, underscored HIT's commitment to treating students like family during China's most cherished holiday.
The Spring Festival, also known as Chinese New Year or Chunjie, spans 15 days from Lunar New Year's Eve to the Lantern Festival. It emphasizes family reunions, symbolized by the reunion dinner (年夜饭 or niányèfàn), where symbolic dishes like fish for prosperity (年年有余, niányǒuyúyú) and dumplings for wealth are staples. For students staying on campus (留校生, liúxiàoshēng), often due to ongoing research, financial constraints, or international travel logistics, such efforts mitigate profound homesickness.
The Spectacular 106-Dish New Year's Eve Feast
HIT's cafeterias buzzed with regional delights tailored to evoke 'home' for students hailing from across China and abroad. The menu featured 106 meticulously curated dishes, a numeric nod to the university's centennial milestone. Highlights included Northeastern specialties like pot-baked pork (锅包肉, guōbāoròu)—a sweet-and-sour pork dish crispy on the outside and tender within—Sichuanese kung pao chicken (宫保鸡丁, gōngbǎojīdīng) with its spicy peanuts and diced chicken, whole steamed fish for abundance, and vibrant colorful dumplings stuffed with various fillings.
Preparation involved step-by-step collaboration: chefs sourced fresh ingredients, marinated meats overnight, stir-fried vegetables in woks for wok hei (breath of the wok), and assembled platters for buffet-style service. Students queued eagerly, piling plates high, with videos capturing the feast's abundance. This wasn't mere catering; it was a cultural bridge, blending HIT's engineering precision with culinary artistry to foster community.
Red Envelopes, Gift Packs, and Meal Support
Beyond the dinner, HIT distributed 'year goods' (年货, niánhuò)—traditional pre-festival staples like cartons of milk for nutrition and lavish snack gift packs filled with nuts, candies, and dried fruits. Each of the 1,300+ students received a 200 yuan cash subsidy, affectionately dubbed 'red envelope money' (压岁钱, yāsuìqián), a custom where elders gift juniors sealed in red packets for good fortune.
Practical aid extended to free meal coupons for Lunar New Year's Days 1 through 3 (February 17-19, 2026), ensuring sustained nourishment. These measures addressed common challenges: high travel costs during peak chunyun (the world's largest annual migration), lab commitments in HIT's seven national key labs, and for international students, visa hurdles or flight delays.
School Leaders Join the Festivities
HIT's leadership, led by Party Secretary Chen Jie alongside Sun Xue, Fan Feng, and others, personally visited Harbin's first and second campuses plus the Science Park. They toured dorms, security posts, and the hospital, distributing comfort items and toasting with students. Chen Jie reflected on 2025 achievements, urging a 'dragon-horse spirit'—blending the zodiac Horse's vigor with Dragon's power—for national progress.
Leaders rolled up sleeves for dumpling-making sessions, chatting about hometowns and studies. A multi-tiered cake-cutting ceremony symbolized reunion and sweetness, with students reciting poetry and chorusing festive songs. This hands-on involvement amplified the familial vibe.
Photo by Al Mahmudur Rahman Fahim on Unsplash
Student Reactions: 'The School Loves Us Like Parents'
Social media erupted with gratitude. One student posted: "Although we couldn't go home for various reasons, HIT made us feel the warmth of family. Red envelopes, garden fairs, dumpling wrapping, leaders dining with us—everything says HIT loves us like parents." Another marveled, "Didn't expect campus New Year to be so lively; teachers' care is touching!" Videos showed 'hands soft from gifts, stomachs full from feasting.'
These sentiments highlight emotional impacts: reduced isolation, boosted morale, and reinforced loyalty to HIT, a C9 League member renowned for aerospace and robotics.
Extended Cultural Activities Through the Festival
HIT's programming spanned New Year's Eve to Day 7:
- New Year's Eve garden tour (游园会): Printing New Year paintings, paper-cutting, horse blessings, DIY crafts.
- Reading shares, movie screenings, sports matches, talent shows.
- Folk experiences blending tradition with innovation.
Why Do Students Stay on Campus During Spring Festival?
In China, over 30 million migrate for Chunyun, but thousands opt to stay. At HIT:
- Research Imperatives: Engineering students maintain experiments in labs like the State Key Laboratory of Robotics.
- Economic Factors: Train tickets exceed 1,000 yuan; subsidies help.
- Demographics: 40%+ from outside Heilongjiang; intl students (5,000+) face barriers.
- Cultural Shifts: Growing lab culture prioritizes progress.
HIT's Legacy and Broader Context in Chinese Higher Education
Founded in 1920, HIT boasts 30,000+ students, excelling in 'Bingtuan Spirit'—selfless service. This event aligns with national pushes for holistic education under Xi Jinping Thought.
Peers like Renmin University (holiday meals/subsidies), Tongji (intl activities), Sichuan U (decade-long subsidies) mirror trends. In 2026, amid economic recovery, such initiatives enhance retention.
Photo by Ankara University on Unsplash
Implications and Future Outlook
This model yields benefits:
- Enhanced well-being, reducing mental health risks.
- Stronger alumni ties.
- Attracts talent amid global competition.
Exploring Career Opportunities Inspired by HIT's Culture
HIT's warmth reflects China's evolving higher ed. Job seekers can leverage university jobs, career advice, and professor ratings. Whether faculty or admin, such institutions prioritize people.