The First Class for New Students: Patriotism and Dedication

On an October morning, Li Jiajun, the Party Secretary of Tianjin University (TJU) delivered a speech to over 700 new students as their first lesson into university. From aspects of understanding changes of times, shouldering responsibility to boost education and strengthen national power, sticking to traditions of patriotism and dedication, and cultivating prominent talents, students are encouraged to undertake their duty in TJU, and inherit long-standing traditions to strive for the rejuvenation of China.

"Today’s world is undergoing great changes unseen in a century. China's change is the root of the great changes in the world." Li reviewed the world’s development history over the past century, described the ever-changing international situation over the past century, and the ups and downs of modern China. Today, China has become the world's largest industrial country, the largest trader in goods, the largest foreign exchange reserve country, as well as the second largest economy in the world. It has achieved a series of major scientific and technological achievements in many fields such as manned spaceflight and deep-sea exploration. Major national projects have been constructed and put into operation including the West-to-East Gas Transmission Project and the South-to-North Water Transfer Project. Li Jiajun said: "Through unremitting efforts, today's China has not only successfully satisfied the subsistence needs of nearly 1.4 billion people, but has also become a major economic power in the world which plays a pivotal role in promoting world economic growth."

“Instead of a boast, the leading role of the Communist Party of China is a choice made by the history and Chinese people under the guidance of scientific theories, which can be proved by the strenuous efforts of modern China.” Li decoded the development miracle of China from the facets of Party leadership, Chinese roads, scientific theories, institutional advantages, cultural self-confidence. And Li also described the importance of China’s great practice in the fight against the pandemic and the historical mission of poverty-alleviation, which can inspire students to integrate the love for our country, the aspiration of strengthening our country, and the action of constructing the country into the struggle to build socialism with Chinese characteristics, develop a modern and powerful socialist country, and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

"From the very beginning, to build a powerful country through learning became the spirit of modern universities in China. Since its birth, TJU has been shouldering the mission of boosting education to make China stronger and is deeply involved in the great cause of national rejuvenation, country’s prosperity and human progress." Li reviewed the past 125 years history of Tianjin University (Peiyang University)--from building a strong country through education to saving the country through industry, from developing the country through science to rejuvenating the country through science and education, TJU remains true to the original aspiration and undertake its mission, taking the lead in building a stronger China through promoting education.

When he mentioned the responsibility of young people, Li said. “For the Chinese youth in the new era, love for the motherland is the foundation of their lives and future success.” Supported by numerous examples of revolutionary heroes and other prominent alumni of TJU, patriotism and dedication, according to Li, is an honorary tradition as well as a natural choice of Tianjin University’s students. “For them, patriotism is something engraved in the soul, and must be put into action”

“Cultivating first-class talents, building first-class team, striving for first-class disciplines, contribute first-class academic achievements and creating first-class university atmosphere,” Li explained Tianjin University’s important path to achieve the overall goal of building a world class university from the five aspects of “first-class”. Also, he elaborated TJU’s comprehensive reform in talents cultivation by promoting the proposal of “Three Involvements” and ”Five Excellences”. A work plan of high-level cultivation system will be released, encouraging TJU’s students to become stand-outs with “deep love for the country, global vision, innovation spirit and practical ability”. The young generation should be employed to pursuit dreams with great passion, more importantly, it enables us to make contribution to the national rejuvenation and country’s construction.

By: Ren Xiangyun

Editor: Qin Mian