From September 29 to 30, the unveiling ceremony of “Caiyuan Lecture Series” was held at the Academic Center on Xiasha Campus featuring Professor Hu Jian’s lecture and a dialogue between Kong Shengdong, a national model worker and ZUFE’s students on How the Spirit of Lei Feng Thrives in the New Era.
Professor Hu Jian, a counselor of People’s Government of Zhejiang Province, a member of Provincial Advisory Council, former executive deputy minister of Publicity Department of the provincial Party Committee, and an expert at the Zhejiang Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, together with Li Jinchang, secretary of ZUFE’s Party Committee, jointly unveiled the “Caiyuan Lecture Series.”
Renowned calligrapher Zhu Changgen personally created a calligraphy piece to express high regard and good wishes for the lecture series. The term “Caiyuan” (菜园), an affectionate nickname for ZUFE, is also a homophone for “财院” (ZUFE). The lecture series symbolizes meticulous cultivation and patient accumulation, reflecting ZUFE’s vision to nurture seedlings of thought, converge springs of wisdom, communicate financial trends and illuminate future pathways and cultivate fertile ground for exemplary ZUFE students.
As the first lecturer of the Series, Professor Hu Jian, delivered a lecture titled “Virtue Leads, Knowledge and Wisdom Align,” discussing the six aspects highlighted by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the National Education Conference as requiring effort. His talk focused on how to become a well-rounded socialist builder and successor. Using rigorous logic, advanced academic insights, and detailed case analysis, he provided the audience with a feast of thought-provoking ideas, with a lively atmosphere.
He explained, “The realm of human devotion to family and country encompasses four levels: Solipsism, Individualism, Collectivism, and Altruism.” He encouraged, “Contemporary youth should strive for conscious self-cultivation and truly achieve the integration of both knowledge and wisdom.” He emphasized the need to strengthen ideals and beliefs, enhance intellectual capacity, and approach problem-solving from six perspectives: point, line, plane, solid, dynamic, and insight. This should keep pace with the times. One should immerse oneself in grassroots communities, perceive the rhythms of economic and social progress, and nurture a profound connection with the general public. He emphasized the importance of cultivating patriotism by closely linking personal, national, and ethnic destinies with humanity’s future. Following role models like Jiao Yulu as examples to embody the selfless transcendence of devotion to family and country, one should achieve a sense of patriotism with a selfless devotion to the country, embodying independence, kindness, morality, and faith. He highlighted the importance of moral cultivation, recognizing the arduous and long-term nature of self-improvement, and maintaining both consciousness and determination in this process. He encouraged exploration and enrichment in fields such as music, fine arts, drama, literature, philosophy, and history. He proposed efforts to increase knowledge and understanding by grasping the six features of knowledge: goals, quantity, levels, integration, development, and vitality. Through continuous learning, one can absorb new knowledge and discard outdated ideas. He suggested focusing on cultivating a spirit of struggle, drawing from excellent skills, experiences, and spiritual nourishment, making full use of subjective initiative, carrying forward cultural heritage continuing cultural traditions, striving with determination, and pioneering innovation to become trailblazers of the era. Finally, he emphasized the need to enhance comprehensive qualities by continuously learning, exploring, and experiencing, mastering knowledge, methods, research, and expanding one’s horizons to become a person with broad vision.
Cheng Shuang, deputy secretary of ZUFE’s Party Committee, noted while presiding over the event that Professor Hu’s lecture demonstrates clear thematic focus and substantive depth, offering profound insights into the contemporary significance of virtue-oriented education and the cultivation of both knowledge and wisdom. We must earnestly internalize the intellectual frameworks and methodologies presented, fortify our convictions, recommit to our founding aspirations, and courageously put these principles into practice—allowing noble character to nurture emotional fulfillment and exceptional abilities to sustain intellectual vitality. Furthermore, we pledged to continuously elevate the “Caiyuan Lecture Series” into a “gold-standard cultural brand” of ZUFE, thereby contributing to the cultivation of MAQ-type “exemplary ZUFE students” who embody lofty moral integrity, exceptional abilities, and well-rounded qualities.
The event was co-organized by the Office of CPC Publicity of ZUFE and School of Economics. Over 280 attendees participated, including the heads of related functional departments, vice-secretaries in charge of student affairs from various schools, leadership responsible for talent cultivation & management program “Program Directors & Class Advisors & Counselors”, along with faculty and student representatives.
Dialogue between National Model Worker Kong Shengdong and ZUFE’s students: How the Spirit of Lei Feng Thrives in the New Era?
To further promote the spirit of Lei Feng, the column Tide Salon of Tide News visited ZUFE for the second lecture of its “Caiyuan Lecture Series.” National Model Worker Kong Shengdong engaged with ZUFE’s students on how the spirit of Lei Feng thrives in the new era. Prior to the event, Li Jinchang met with Kong, acknowledging model worker as the nation’s elite and role models for the people. He hoped students to honor these model workers, vigorously uphold the spirit of Lei Feng, the ethos of labor, and the spirit of craftsmanship, striving to become a new generation equipped to shoulder the mission of national rejuvenation.
“A bus has a starting point and a destination, but serving the people has only a starting point and no end.,” said Kong, “I have two dreams: to drive a bus for a lifetime and to be a volunteer for a lifetime.” Kong considers his passengers as family. Every Chinese New Year’s Eve, he personally buys flowers and lanterns to decorate the bus, ensuring that every passenger on Route 28 can feel the warmth of home. “Serving my family is never a hardship.” he added. Sharing his story with the faculty and students present, Kong recounted his journey in the public transportation system since 1982. He has safely driven the Bus Route 28 for 27 years without a single accident and has spent 38 years voluntarily repairing bicycles for citizens, with over 40,000 service instances.
Li Yi, a faculty member from the School of Marxism, and Chen Xin, a counselor from the School of Finance, participated in the dialogue as observers. Li Yi even made a special visit to Master Kong’s bicycle repair stall to experience firsthand the extraordinary within the ordinary. “Ideological and political theory courses are about reasoning, and Mr. Kong has given us a vivid lesson through his personal example,” she remarked. “He demonstrates a spirit to revere, a starry sky to gaze upon, and a role model to follow.” Chen Xin also shared her sentiments, stating, “After listening to Master Kong’s report, I feel deeply inspired and encouraged. What he has done makes him a real-life superhero!”
The present were deeply moved by Kong’s deeds and engaged in enthusiastic interactions with him on topics such as the spirit of Lei Feng, dedication to one’s post, and volunteer service. Mr. Kong patiently answered each question. He emphasized, “the spirit of Lei Feng is all around us. Students should start with small acts, beginning with their surroundings, and build up from every little effort. Learning follows the same principle—one must not fear hardship, fatigue, or getting their hands dirty. We should learn from the older generations.” Du Xiaolei, a Class 4, Grade 2023 Professional Master in Finance remarked, “For 38 years, Mr. Kong has taken a simple task and elevated it to perfection. His story teaches us that no matter how the times change, our commitment to serving the people must remain unwavering. His persistence and dedication serve as a reminder to us all—wherever we are, we should do our best to contribute to society.”
Cheng Shuang, deputy secretary of ZUFE’s Party Committee, emphasized in the summary that Master Kong demonstrates through his actions what responsibility and dedication truly mean. By persistently infusing meaning into every task, everything becomes meaningful. The spirit of Lei Feng is about loving and excelling in whatever one does. In the new era, societal development offers more career choices, and the way we practice Lei Feng’s values continues to evolve. The essence of the spirit of Lei Feng in the new era continues to expand. We can first love what we do, then commit to it, and ultimately excel in it. As students of ZUFE in the new era, you should carry forward the spirit of Lei Feng, compose brilliant chapters of the times, and contribute your youthful energy to advancing Chinese modernization and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
This event was co-organized by Tide News, the Office of CPC Publicity of ZUFE, and the School of Finance. More than 260 participants, including heads of related functional departments, faculty and students from the School of Marxism and the School of Finance, attended the event.
