On the afternoon of December 14th, 2023, the School of ForeignStudies (SFS)of Jiangnan University held an onlineconference for allpostgraduatetutors. The conference was chaired by Xie Jingxian, the Vice Dean of SFS,who is in charge of the education for postgraduates. Other postgraduate tutorsalsoattendedthis conference.
At the beginning of theconference, Xie Jingxian briefed thetutors on the recent visit toSFSby Ma Xin, a member of the Standing Committee ofCPC JNUCommittee andthevice presidentof JNU. During the visit, theleaders gave presentations on various topics related toSFS’overall situation, thecultivationmodel, anddevelopmentbottlenecks. Other members of the leadership team shared their insights on scientific research innovation,training programs, andinterdisciplinarycollaboration. Wu Xiaojun, theDean ofJiangnan University Graduate School,and others offered guidance and suggestions on addressing current challenges and difficultiesfaced bySFS, expressing theirwillingness to support the development and construction of SFS. They encouragedSFSto seize opportunities and strive for innovative development in areas such asSFS’culture and academic disciplines.Ma Xin praised the contributions made bySFSto supporting the strategic development and talent cultivation of the university. He encouraged the leadership teamof SFSto overcome obstacles,andmove forward with determination. Ma emphasized thatpostgraduate educationwascrucial toSFSand servedas a“shoulder pole”and driving forceinthe developmentof SFS. Itconnectedscientific research and disciplineconstruction, moral education and character building,andfacultyteamsand student teams. Heexpected SFStoadhere to a problem-oriented approachand expand the internal optimization of resources,uphold integrity while innovatingandcollaboratingacross disciplines,and have a global perspective, seizeopportunities for transformation andtell compelling stories about China.He expressed his expectations for significant progress inpostgraduate educationmade by SFS,and looked forward to witnessing SFSfostering its own unique characteristics and showcasing Jiangnan University’s style.
Subsequently, the conference focused on potential issuesinpre-defense andput forward somecorresponding solutions. After a heated discussion, thetutors fully acknowledged thesignificantimportance of pre-defense in promptly identifyingproblemswithinstudents’papers and providing more effective supportfor them.Ultimately,all the tutorsunanimously acknowledged that the quality of a research paper is of paramount importance. The purpose of the pre-defense is to assist students in identifying anyproblemsthat may arise within theirpaperand to strictly monitor the process in order toguaranteethat the paper meetshighstandards of quality.
Finally, a training school in the second half of 2023fortutorswas held.Thetutors studied documents,such as“Learning Materials on Teachers’Ideological and Political Education and Construction of Ethics and Professional Conduct”,“President Xi’s Speeches at the Symposium on CulturalInheritanceand Development”. They alsowatched a series of micro-videos titled“The Spirit ofGreatEducatorsin My Heart”andexchanged their learning experiencesafterward.Teachers unanimously expressed that as graduate tutors, they should continuously learn from great educators, embracing their ideas of selflessness and dedication to the nation, as well as their exemplary moral conduct of speaking as scholars and acting as role models. They should also imbibe the wisdom of enlightening students’minds andadapt their teachingmethods to suitevery student’slearning needs. They should learn the attitudes of diligent learning, truth seeking, and innovative mindset. Moreover, they should possess a loving disposition towards teaching and a willingness to wholeheartedly contribute. They should have a broad perspective, pursuing the knowledge cultivation of people, thus truly fulfilling the mission of nurturing talents in the next generation for the CPC and China.
In conclusion, Xie Jingxian summarized the meeting and shared several hopes that she would like to encourage alltutors to adhere tothe guidance of academic leadership andimprove graduate educationon all fronts,dedicate themselves to scientific research and innovationandserve national strategy,devote themselves to teaching innovationandstrengthen curriculum construction,practice moral educationandbe exemplary teachers for students in their pursuit ofstudies, careers, and personal development. She urgedtutors to take this conference as an opportunity to further clarify the direction of graduate workin the futureand firmly promote the overall improvement of the school’s graduate education.
