In the spirit of spring, a gathering of scholars took place to discuss the concept of the "exemplary student", aiming to empower Qiantang through a new blueprint for development. In an effort to fully embrace and enact the principles enshrined in the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, and to foster the advancement of new quality productive forces, Talent Empowering Qiantang—ZUFE Talent Cultivation Forum (2024) successfully convened at Xiasha Campus on April 20.
This esteemed assembly brought together a diverse group of distinguished figures, including high school principals, financial elites, entrepreneurs, scholars, and experts. With the theme "United in Nurturing Elite Talents, Collaborating to Forge 'Exemplary Students'", it explored the new age and focused on the essential mission of holistic student development through intellectual, moral, physical, aesthetic, and labor education.
The forum discussed talent cultivation, pedagogical innovation, and ZUFE's development from a coordinated perspective, highlighting the high-quality development of high schools, universities, and employers. It also explored ways to cultivate more high-caliber innovative talents to drive economic and social development in our country and Zhejiang province.
More than 400 distinguished participants attended the forum, including principals from 76 high schools, leaders from 60 prominent employers, and alumni ambassadors from 11 prefecture-level cities. Key officials from ZUFE also participated, such as Li Jinchang (Secretary of the ZUFE Party Committee), Wei Jiang (Deputy Secretary and Vice President), Xu Xiaodong, and Cheng Shuang, who served as deputy secretaries of the Party Committee.
Li Jinchang, Secretary of ZUFE Party Committee, delivered a speech on behalf of the university, warmly congratulating the opening of the forum and extending sincere welcomes to the leaders and guests attending. He emphasized the significance of bringing together representatives from top talent pools and leading employers to foster dialogue and connections with secondary schools and organizations.
The collective goal was to develop a synergistic approach that cultivates talents aligned with the Party's and nation's aspirations, nurturing well-rounded socialist constructors and successors who excel in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic, and labor education. The endeavor aimed to establish long-term cooperative frameworks between educational institutions, businesses, and local governments.
ZUFE is poised to drive forward its "New Finance and Economics Strategy", creating a new student talent cultivation system that seamlessly integrates disciplines and combines science and industry into education. This initiative seeks to align the supply of educational offerings with the demands of the job market, ultimately propelling the identification, cultivation, and flourishing of exceptional and forward-thinking talents.
Fang Feiyan, President of Xiaoshan High School, delivered a speech on behalf of high schools at the forum. She emphasized the critical role of smooth transitions between high school and university education in fostering elite, innovative talents. Schools should cultivate top innovative Chinese talents in view of practical experience and create an environment to encourage intellectual freedom. Such an environment would enable students to harness their unique interests, aptitudes, and strengths, driving their personal growth and fostering a culture of diverse achievements.
Yan Feng, a Party Committee member and deputy general manager of CITIC Securities' Zhejiang Branch, represented the employers at the forum. He noted that as the finance and securities landscape continues to transform, there is a growing need for professionals with advanced capabilities. To meet this demand, he emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between academia and industry, aiming to equip students with robust training mechanisms that prepare them for success in the financial market.
As the opening ceremony got underway, ZUFE made significant strides to fortify ties with high schools, employers, and regional alumni associations. The university took a major step forward by establishing the "Collaborative Base for Promoting Civic and Community Engagement Across Universities, High Schools, and Elementary Schools", in partnership with 66 high schools.
This strategic move was followed by ZUFE's recognition as a "Campus Recruitment Strategic Partner" by 57 distinguished employers, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to provide students with top-notch career opportunities. This partnership underscored the university's commitment to fostering a culture of mutual support and shared goals among students, employers, and alumni.
The event concluded with a formal pairing ceremony between ZUFE and 11 municipal alumni associations within the province, as well as various regional recruitment teams affiliated with the university. This ceremony symbolized a renewed commitment to educational excellence and talent development, solidifying the university's position as a leader in fostering collaborative relationships among stakeholders.
Professor Wei Jiang, Deputy Secretary of ZUFE Party Committee and Vice President (in charge of executive work), made a keynote speech entitled "Education Should Focus on Cultivating the 'Whole-Person ". His discourse dissected this central theme through a tripartite lens: envisioning "what kind of university will ZUFE be like in the future", "what kind of people will be cultivated at ZUFE", and "how will ZUFE cultivate talent".
He underscored the imperative to fully execute the "New Finance and Economics Strategy", charting a pioneering course that transcends the confines of traditional finance and economics education to forge a distinctive trajectory for ZUFE' s evolution. This strategy involves dismantling the barriers between disciplines, faculty, and institutional walls to create an expansive, interconnected platform for learning.
Within this framework, ZUFE aspires to nurture an invigorating, open, and innovative educational ecosystem, designed to cultivate a new generation of "exemplary ZUFE students"—individuals equipped with MAQ (Mastery, Adaptability, and Quality) competencies. These graduates will be primed to thrive and make substantial contributions two decades into the future, embodying the essence of a truly holistic educational approach.
Qiu Yueling, President of Hangzhou Xuejun High School, gave a keynote speech entitled "Pursuing Profound Scholarship, Embracing Leadership". He expounded upon Hangzhou Xuejun High School's philosophy of "Whole Person Education", advocating for the implementation of elite pedagogy aimed at fostering exceptional talents. His vision calls for educators to disseminate ideals of superior education while diligently refining the quality of instruction. He particularly emphasizes the necessity of holistic student development across multiple dimensions—physical fitness, ethical sentiments, cognitive abilities, and creative vitality. By championing these principles, the school aspires to pioneer the frontiers of future education, ultimately contributing to the enrichment of higher learning institutions and society at large through the provision of highly skilled, well-rounded individuals.
Yao Zhen, a Grade 1991 student and a partner at PwC Capital Management, delivered a keynote speech titled "Acquiring, Innovating, and Transcending——The Journey of Personal Growth for All". Drawing from her experience, she delineated a three-tiered pathway of growth and transformation—acquiring, innovating, and transcending—that leads to both societal impact and individual fulfillment. Her perspective, shifting from that of an investor to an entrepreneur, and subsequently honing in on the essence of talent, culminates in a profound emphasis on nurturing human potential and fostering personal advancement. She advocates that educational institutions and employers alike must dedicate themselves wholeheartedly to assisting each individual in uncovering and realizing their inherent worth.
This forum has also set up a special topic on "exemplary student" cultivation, one focusing on the collaborative efforts between high schools and university under the banner of "Joint Education and Progress for Seamless Transitions", and the other delving into the Integration of Academia and Industry via "Partnerships Between Universities and Enterprises". Participants engaged in vigorous debates on a spectrum of pertinent issues, including "Strategic Reforms for Basic Education amidst the Evolving College Entrance Examination Framework", "Efficient Linkages between Secondary and Tertiary Education", "Navigating Career Pathways and Academic Guidance for High School Students", and "Fostering Synergies in Education through University-Enterprise Collaborations".
The "High School to Higher Ed: A Collaborative Approach to Student Success" seminar brought together an esteemed panel of educators and experts from renowned institutions, including Yanzhou High School Principal Lai Zhonglin, Huzhou No.2 High School Principal Zheng Lu, Qingyuan High School Vice Principal Li Junhui, Beijing Normal University Taizhou Affiliated Senior High School Party Committee Secretary and Principal Sun Li, Wuyi No.3 High School Vice Principal Xie Deqiang, Quzhou No.2 High School Party Committee Secretary Weng Shenghua, Wenzhou No.8 Senior High School Party Committee Secretary and Principal Zhong Weiping, Haining Senior High School Principal Shen Zhongjie, Shengzhou High School Principal Ye Liping, ZUFE Law School Vice Dean Li Hailong, Finance and Taxation School Dean Fu Wenlin, and Accounting School Party Committee Secretary Zhang Hong, as well as Wenhua Innovation School Executive Dean Ye Zhou delivered keynote speeches separately on joint education and progress of "Golden Student” to smoothly transition from high school to university.
The seminar was presided over by ZUFE Academic Affairs Office Director He Wuhua. Fund Manager of Yingyang Asset Management Co., Ltd. Chen Zheping, Assistant General Manager of Hangzhou Yuhangtang Road Branch of Changcheng Securities Zhejiang Branch Jin Yuda, Vice President of Hangzhou Youcai Information Technology Co., Ltd. Liu Dan, Director of Human Resources at Hangzhou Yuanda Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd. Li Shengdong, Party Committee Member of Zhejiang Branch of Xinhua Life Insurance Co., Ltd. Liang Yiming, Deputy General Manager of Human Resources Department of Hangzhou Bank Co., Ltd. Zhao Yingzhen, Dean of ZUFE Information Technology and Artificial Intelligence School, Zhang Shuai, Vice Dean of Yingyang School of Financial Technology Fu Junhui, Professor of Management School, and Executive Dean of Human Resources Industry School,Wu Daoyou, conducted separate keynote speeches in the forum.
The forum garnered significant attention from prominent online media outlets, including Zhejiang Daily, Zhejiang Education Daily, China Education Online, Zhejiang Economic TV, Higher Education Online, 360 Education Online, and Tencent News. Through in-depth interviews and interactive discussions, these influential platforms joined forces with the forum to co-explore innovative models of talent cultivation and educational collaboration, leading to a deeper understanding of best practices and future development strategies.
