(Interview between the two sessions) What is a good university?

Thoughts on Education of "Treasure Principal" of Xi'an Jiaotong University

  China News Service, Beijing, March 5th, title: What is a good university?

Thoughts on Education of "Treasure Principal" of Xi'an Jiaotong University

  China News Agency reporter Zhang Yichen and Xing Chong

  What is a good university?

This is a basic and important issue that China's education circles have been discussing.

  From "Hundreds of Forums" to "Let's Talk", from "My Major Is Not So Cold" to "China Economic Grand Lecture Hall", Wang Shuguo, member of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress and President of Xi'an Jiaotong University, constantly discusses universities with students through innovative communication platforms The thinking of educating people, the visionary philosophy and the humorous words made the name of "Treasure Principal" spread.

  Regarding the above questions, Wang Shuguo responded to a reporter from China News Agency: “To become a leader in technology and thought, the talents trained can stand at the forefront of society and promote social progress.”

  Technology and thought are two words often mentioned by Wang Shuguo.

Wang Shuguo, who majored in mechanical manufacturing, gave an example: when he was in college, the teacher asked everyone to make a small hammer in the practical class; when he came to Xi'an Jiaotong University, the students still made small hammers in the classroom.

  "Unexpectedly, more than 40 years have passed. The practical classroom projects are still making small hammers." Wang Shuguo said that although a variety of skills can be exercised, making small hammers is obviously too old and old compared with the development needs of the fourth industrial revolution and the new era. thin.

  Wang Shuguo believes that many disruptive technologies, new industrial forms, and new economic models have emerged in the current society, but the knowledge supply of universities has failed to meet social needs, and even lags behind social development.

  Taking artificial intelligence as an example, he said that this new technology has entered millions of households, and the people expect it to develop in a more intelligent direction.

  "Under the rapid development of the Internet, the ways for people to obtain knowledge are enriched. If universities do not understand the needs of social development, then our talent training will be without a target." Wang Shuguo said.

  Science and technology is the foundation of Wang Shuguo's thought of educating people. The open nature of Xi'an as an important node city of the "Belt and Road" also makes Wang Shuguo think more.

  As a developed area of ​​education in Northwest China, higher education in Xi'an has new opportunities for development with the implementation of the innovation-driven development strategy. Education has gradually become an important area of ​​open cooperation between Xi'an and countries along the “Belt and Road”.

  In 2015, Xi'an Jiaotong University initiated the establishment of the Silk Road University Alliance. Currently, more than 150 universities from more than 30 countries and regions have joined.

Wang Shuguo said that education should play a role in cultural transmission in the development of the fourth industrial revolution, and it requires the collision of diverse ideas. It is hoped that more young people from countries can learn about China on such an open and shared platform.

  Regarding the new form of Chinese universities in the future, Wang Shuguo has a goal: to put the university at the forefront of society, but it is in the society, not outside the society.

He called this form "Innovation Port".

  This goal is gradually becoming a reality.

In 2019, the Science and Technology Innovation Port in Western China, jointly constructed by the Ministry of Education of China and the People’s Government of Shaanxi Province, was officially put into use, becoming an important platform for Shaanxi Province and Xi’an Jiaotong University to implement the “Belt and Road” initiative, innovation-driven development strategy, and western development strategy. At present, it has signed cooperation agreements with more than 200 Fortune 500 companies.

  During the interview, Wang Shuguo repeatedly emphasized that universities should open the walls and integrate deeply into society.

This year is the first year of the "14th Five-Year Plan". Wang Shuguo expects this plan to make a layout for China's future, and also expects universities to become an important engine leading China's social development on the new journey.

(Finish)