The National Education Conference was held in Beijing from September 9 to 10, with Xi Jinping, General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, President of the People's Republic of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attending the conference and delivering an important speech. The speech attracted great attention from the faculty, staff, and students of Shenzhen Polytechnic University (SZPU). They eagerly followed the conference reports and promptly studied President Xi's remarks. In discussions, they explored how to align their thoughts and actions with the spirit of Xi Jinping's speech and the strategic decisions of the CPC Central Committee. By focusing on the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education, SZPU is committed to contributing its strength to building a strong education system in China.

Education is the foundation of livelihood, society, and national development. In his important speech at the National Education Conference, President Xi Jinping emphasized that building a strong education system is a complex and systematic endeavor. He highlighted the need to balance national strategic goals with the demands of the people, ensuring that the leading role of education in advancing national strategies is aligned with its core values. The speech clarified the strategic focus and ultimate goal of establishing a strong education system.The implementation of the "Double Hundred Action" plan is a key initiative from the provincial government aimed at addressing imbalances in urban-rural and regional development. It also serves the greater cause of China’s modernization. As a leader in vocational education, SZPU is committed to fully studying and implementing the spirit of the National Education Conference and the provincial reports on teacher development. SZPU will firmly grasp the political, societal, and strategic nature of education and actively align itself with both national and regional development strategies. SZPU will play its role as an “incubator” and “accelerator” for regional economic and social development by deeply advancing the "Double Hundred Action" plan. We will intensify our efforts in collaborative vocational education support, pushing forward the "Five Increases" plan: increasing capacity, productivity, income, sustainability, and well-being. SZPU will work to strengthen the talent, technology, and intellectual foundations for county-level development. By tailoring our support to local needs, we aim to create the "SZPU model" for promoting educational development and industrial revitalization in counties, contributing to a new chapter in vocational education’s role in supporting China’s modernization.

— Yang Xinbin, Party Secretary

Education is a fundamental priority for the nation and the Party. Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, the Party Central Committee, with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, has placed education in a strategically prioritized position. The Party has systematically addressed fundamental issues concerning the development of education in the new era, leading to historic achievements in the modernization of education and the building of a strong education system. To strengthen education, we must first strengthen our teachers, as they are the most vital resource for educational development. On the occasion of the 39th Teachers’ Day in 2023, President Xi Jinping, in his letter to outstanding teacher representatives across the nation, introduced the concept of the "spirit of the educator" for the first time, which has resonated powerfully among teachers. Over the past year, educators have taken this "spirit of the educator" as both their guiding value and behavioral standard, continuously contributing to the advancement of education in the process of building a strong education system. As the 40th Teachers' Day approaches, the Central Committee of the Party has once again convened the National Education Conference, providing a clear direction and an action plan for continuing to deliver education that satisfies the people as we move forward with the comprehensive modernization of China. In recent years, vocational education has entered its most promising period in history. Guided by the spirit of the National Education Conference, all colleagues on the vocational education front are steadfastly committed to promoting vocational education, focusing on new missions, and showcasing a fresh outlook. Through practical actions, we will contribute to the steady and long-term development of a strong education system.

— Xu Jianling, Deputy Party Secretary and President

Through our study of President Xi Jinping's important speech at the National Education Conference and the remarks of Secretary Huang Kunming at the Provincial Conference on Teacher Development, we have gained a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of the "Hundred Counties, Thousand Towns, and Ten Thousand Villages High-Quality Development Project" (“Hundred-Thousand-Ten-Thousand Project”). Our project team remains committed to our mission of fulfilling the 'Double Hundred' initiative, honoring the trust of the bamboo villages, and advancing scientific and technological innovation in the bamboo industry. We will always remember President Xi’s heartfelt directive to 'turn small bamboo into a big industry' and the responsibility of the 'Double Hundred Action' to promote high-quality development in county regions. Guided by the 'Five Increases'—increasing capability, productivity, income, greenery, and well-being—we will root ourselves in the bamboo villages of the mountains, integrating university-level scientific innovation with county-level industrial development, fostering collaboration between urban areas and schools, and merging industry and education. With a focus on high-quality development in the bamboo industry, we will actively contribute to rural revitalization. Our efforts will be concentrated on building the Heping Bamboo Industry Science and Technology Courtyard, training local bamboo industry talent, creating a 1,000-acre high-yield demonstration bamboo forest, planning a 500-kilometer bamboo mountain road network to solve the 'last-mile' problem of transporting bamboo from the mountains, constructing five demonstration workshops for Hakka dried bamboo shoots, building 15 bamboo irrigation ponds and pipe networks, and planning a Bamboo Park that integrates training, germplasm collection, science education, and cultural tourism. These initiatives will continually upgrade the local bamboo industry and contribute to rural revitalization, injecting new productivity and momentum into the industry. Our goal is to establish the 'Heping Model' for high-quality bamboo industry development across the country and a model of the 'Hundred-Thousand-Ten-Thousand Project' for vocational talent development."

— Jiang Jingyan, Full-time Lecturer and Associate Professor, School of Innovation and Design, Project Leader for the “Double Hundred Action” Heping Bamboo Industry High-Quality Development Base (Industrial Park)

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, President Xi Jinping has placed great importance on education, proposing a series of new ideas, perspectives, and strategies for education reform and development. His deep and insightful discussions on education have greatly inspired and enlightened us. On this new journey of the modern era, Shenzhen Polytechnic University finds itself at a crucial stage of development. As a vocational educator, I will uphold the university’s proud traditions, fully implement the Party’s educational policies, and adhere to the socialist direction of education. I will work to fulfill the fundamental task of fostering virtue through education, actively advancing the teaching and research efforts of the College of Food and Drug, and nurturing high-quality talent with innovative spirit and practical abilities. My goal is to contribute to the high-quality development of higher education and help build China into a strong education nation.

Teachers are the foundation and source of education, and they are the most critical resource for educational development. This year, the 40th Teachers' Day focuses on the theme of "Promoting the Spirit of Educators and Accelerating the Building of a Strong Education System". As a professional educator, I am guided by the ideals of serving the nation with a heart for the greater good. I will enhance my political leadership capabilities, remaining loyal to the Party's educational cause and answering the question of "who we are educating for". Guided by moral integrity and exemplary behavior, I will strive to lead by example, practicing what I preach, and holding myself to high standards to be a role model for my students. Using wisdom in teaching and adapting to each student's needs, I will improve my ability to guide students, carefully analyzing their individual characteristics, building friendships, nurturing their hearts, and helping them grow in a personalized manner. Through diligent study, a commitment to seeking truth, and a passion for innovation, I will enhance my research and learning abilities, ensuring that my scientific research enriches my teaching, and that my teaching feeds back into my research, creating a positive cycle of growth. With a heart full of love for teaching and a willingness to give, I will increase my capacity to care for my students, treating each one fairly and ensuring that they feel valued and supported by their teachers. Lastly, with a vision of cultural advancement and a dedication to holistic education, I will strive to pass on cultural traditions, promoting the Chinese national spirit of confidence, self-reliance, and resilience, and fostering a sense of ambition, determination, and strength among the youth of the new era.

— Li Yonghong, Vice Dean of the School of Food and Drug, Recipient of the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Scientific Research Excellence Award (First Prize)

President Xi Jinping's important speech at the National Education Conference has deeply inspired me. He emphasized the traditional virtues of respecting teachers and valuing education and outlined specific measures to improve the status and treatment of teachers. These steps have provided clear guidance for us as educators. In recent years, the Party Central Committee's strong focus on and support for education has led to remarkable achievements in education reform and development. Particularly under the guiding spirit of educators, there has been a noticeable strengthening of the teaching workforce over the past year. As someone working in higher education administration, I have personally witnessed these changes and have seen the rapid growth of teachers under the support of these policies, which fills me with great excitement. Looking ahead, I am full of confidence in the direction laid out by the Education Conference. I feel a deep sense of pride and anticipation as we contribute to building a strong education system and advancing Chinese modernization. I will actively respond to the spirit of the conference, fully supporting the efforts of the teaching team, and contribute my part to the realization of China's modernization.

— Li Peidong, Coordinator, School of Artificial Intelligence

In his speech at the National Education Conference, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to elevate the political, social, and professional status of teachers, improve their compensation, protect their professional dignity and legal rights, and ensure that teaching becomes one of the most respected professions in society. This focus on the social standing and rights of teachers has greatly motivated educators and reflects deep strategic thinking and a sincere commitment to education. As a young teacher at a vocational college, I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders and now have a clearer understanding of the mission and duty of vocational education. Recently, I led students in the China International College Students' Innovation Competition, where I personally witnessed the vital role vocational education plays in fostering students' all-round development, promoting employment and entrepreneurship, and contributing to economic and social progress. These practical experiences have given me a deeper appreciation for the concept of "learning through application, and the unity of knowledge and action." The true essence of education lies in unlocking students' potential and helping them grow through practical experience. The spirit of the National Education Conference has energized us, and I will seize this opportunity to dedicate myself to vocational education with enthusiasm and a strong sense of responsibility. I will strive to contribute, in my own small way, to building a strong education system and advancing high-quality development.

— Yang Min, Full-time Faculty Member, College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

With the convening of the National Education Conference, we are celebrating the 40th Teachers' Day, a recognition of the hard work of all educators. As a Party member and teacher specializing in Communication and Planning at the School of Communication Engineering, I have been closely following the conference, and I feel deeply inspired by its key messages. President Xi Jinping emphasized the pivotal role of education in national development, reflecting the Party Central Committee's great concern and support for the education sector. Over the past year, we have witnessed the positive changes brought about by the introduction of the "spirit of the educator," which has greatly impacted the teaching profession. In my college and field, we have responded to this call by strengthening our teaching team and enhancing the quality of instruction. This not only boosts our sense of professional pride but also provides us with broader opportunities for growth. In line with this mission, I have actively participated in the Guangdong "Hundred-Thousand-Ten-Thousand Project" as a rural science and technology expert, stationed in Baokou Town, Huidong County. Through this experience, I have been able to put into practice the ideals of serving the greater good and sincerely dedicating myself to the country. The conference has set a clear direction for the future of education, emphasizing the need to build a strong education system to support and lead China's modernization efforts. This goal is both inspiring and full of new historical responsibilities. As a university educator, I feel a deep sense of responsibility and, at the same time, great confidence in the future. We will continue to study and implement the spirit of the conference, integrating it into our daily teaching and research work, and contribute to accelerating the construction of a strong education system in the new era.

— Wang Shang, Full-time Faculty Member, School of Communication Engineering

The convening of the National Education Conference has been like a gentle spring rain, nourishing our hearts. As a student Party member in the School of Business and Foreign Languages, I am filled with excitement and inspiration. The conference was clear in its objectives and far-reaching in vision, reflecting the Party's deep care and strong emphasis on education. Education is a fundamental priority for both the nation and the Party, and this conference has set the direction for the future development of our country's education system. President Xi Jinping's speech, like a clarion call, motivates us all. He emphasized that building a strong education system is a complex and systematic project, requiring us to focus on the core task of fostering virtue through education. We must aim to cultivate socialist builders and successors who are well-rounded in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor development. President Xi stressed the importance of maintaining a socialist orientation in education and using a systematic approach. We need to properly balance several key relationships: supporting national strategies and meeting public needs, learning knowledge and pursuing holistic development, cultivating talent and fulfilling societal needs, adhering to rules and regulations while fostering vitality, and grounding our efforts in China’s context while drawing from international experience. This has deepened my understanding of the immense mission and responsibility we bear. In my future studies and life, I will hold myself to higher standards, fulfilling my role as a Party member and setting an example for others. I will strive to improve my professional skills and acquire solid knowledge in business English, so I can one day contribute to sharing China's voice and telling China's stories on the international stage. At the same time, I will actively participate in social practices, care for my fellow students, and implement the spirit of the conference through my actions, contributing to the flourishing of China's education system.

— Yang Yan, Party Member, Student in Business English Major, School of Business and Foreign Languages

In his important speech at the National Education Conference, President Xi Jinping emphasized the need to implement the spirit of educators to strengthen and empower teachers. He highlighted the importance of building a high-quality teaching force in the new era by enhancing teacher ethics and improving teacher training. As full-time faculty members, we must deeply understand the spirit of educators and, by integrating it with the characteristics of vocational education and our specific professional fields, continuously practice this spirit to lead the development and improvement of our teaching teams. The biopharmaceutical industry is a critical national strategic sector, and the cultivation of skilled talent in this field is crucial to the high-quality development of the biopharmaceutical industry in China. We must focus on the needs and trends of the biopharmaceutical industry in the Greater Bay Area, pushing forward reforms in teaching methods and expanding the construction of online teaching resources. We should explore innovative digital teaching models and actively engage in enterprise visits and practical training to stay informed about changes in industry technologies, standards, and job roles. By dynamically adjusting our curriculum and teaching processes and incorporating the latest technologies, processes, and standards from the industry into our teaching, we can better equip our students to meet the evolving demands of the market and enhance their competitiveness.

— Wang Yinan, Full-time Faculty Member, School of Food and Drug

As we welcome the 40th Teachers' Day in this golden autumn season, we reflect on the historic achievements and transformative changes in China’s education system, brought about under the leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. Education has been prioritized as a key strategic focus, propelling our country into a new phase of high-quality development and accelerating the building of a strong education system. Ideological and political education is a critical course for fulfilling the fundamental task of fostering virtue, as it directly addresses the core questions of "who we are educating, how we are educating them, and for whom we are educating". Shenzhen Polytechnic University, located in a city born and thriving through reform and opening-up, has harnessed the vibrant lessons of Shenzhen’s development to enhance ideological and political theory classes. By integrating the "living" textbook of reform and opening-up, our faculty and students actively tell the "Shenzhen story", promoting reform and innovation in political theory courses. This has significantly enhanced the courses’ ideological depth, theoretical rigor, appeal, and relevance, yielding remarkable results. The entire faculty of the School of Marxism remains steadfast in upholding innovation while staying true to core principles, guiding students to strengthen their pride, integrity, and confidence in being Chinese. We strive to inspire our students to contribute their youthful energy to the realization of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, laying a solid foundation for the full establishment of a modern socialist country and the fulfillment of the Chinese Dream.

— Zhang Shasha, Full-time Faculty Member, School of Marxism

The convening of the National Education Conference is not only a great source of encouragement for educators but also a powerful call to society as a whole. In recent years, under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, the nation’s education system has achieved remarkable progress. I deeply feel the Party's high regard and deep care for education, especially with the introduction of the spirit of the educator, which has pointed the way for building the ranks of educators and infused new energy into the field. The National Education Conference has laid out a grand blueprint for the development of national education, and I feel immense pride in being part of this great endeavor, while also recognizing the significant responsibility it entails. As a higher education research administrator, I will actively respond to the call of the conference, remain firm in my ideals and beliefs, uphold moral integrity, and put my work into action to contribute to the high-quality development of our school. I firmly believe that under the strong leadership of the Party Central Committee, we will undoubtedly achieve the goal of building a strong education system, using Chinese-style modernization to fully advance the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

— Fan Yujun, Research Office Staff

(Compiled by the Publicity Department)