—Written on the 40th Anniversary of Comrade Xi Zhongxun's Message toPeihua's Construction
As time passes and melodies echo far, looking back at the 96-year journey of Peihua, a magnificent path filled with trials and tribulations comes into view, and a glorious chapter of continuous inheritance reveals a new face.
Stepping through the corridor of time and opening the thick history of Peihua, there are always unforgettable and heart-pounding significant historical moments...
In 1984, the privately-run and publicly-assisted "Xi'an Peihua Women's University," established on the basis of the restored Peihua Women's Vocational School, was officially founded and included in the sequence of regular higher education, kicking off the era of private education development in Shaanxi.
December 4, 1984,is an unforgettable day forever etched in the annals of Peihua people.
On that day, Comrade Xi Zhongxun, who was then a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and the Secretary of the Secretariat, received President Wang Hongji and Vice President Jiang Weizhi of Xi'an Peihua Women's University in Beijing.
He expressed earnest expectations for Peihua's education and talent cultivation, and offered his message toPeihua: "Establishing a women's university is a great thing. No matter what you do, you must first consider the country and the party, look ahead and consider the future, which, from a philosophical perspective, means having a strategic viewpoint.to run a good school, it is necessary to cultivate a good school spirit, teaching style, and study atmosphere. It is essential to pay attention to the ideological education of young students and cultivate qualified talents for the Four Modernizations."
After listening to the school's report and learning that Shao Lizi and Fu Xuewen played important roles in the development of Peihua, Comrade Xi Zhongxun immediately rose from his seat to personally look for Fu Xuewen's residence address and instructed that she should be visited.
Comrade Xi Zhongxun also personally pushed for the school to hire Ms. Fu Xuewen as the first honorary chairman of Peihua Women's University (Comrade Xi informed President Jiang Weizhi throughComrade Bai Jinian, the then Shaanxi Provincial Party Secretary, to carry the letter of appointment to Ms. Fu Xuewen's residence in Beijing for presentation)
Ms. Fu Xuewen happily accepted the appointment and thanked Comrade Xi Zhongxun for his recommendation.
Touchingly, before her passing, Ms. Fu donated all her savings of 65,000 RMB to the school to establish the "Mechanics Scholarship" (named after Shao Lizi's "Mechanics" and Fu Xuewen's "Scholarship").
The 76th issue of the "Work Dynamics" of the Xi'an Municipal Party Committee in 1985 published the content of Comrade Xi Zhongxun's reception of the leaders of Peihua Women's University.
Ms. Fu Xuewen (second from the left), the 85-year-old honorary chairman of Peihua Women's University, is having a discussion with teachers at the school.
Like the moon rising regularly and the sun ascending,
Comrade Xi Zhongxun's earnest hopes, with both political height and emotional warmth, are highly political, ideological, forward-looking, theoretical, and instructive, becoming the strongest spiritual support for the older generation of Peihua people represented by Jiang Weizhi, and also an important factor in Peihua's continuation, development, and expansion.
They made Peihua people deeply feel Comrade Xi Zhongxun's care and love for Shaanxi's private education, pointed out the direction for how and what kind of people Peihua should cultivate, and also outlined a "roadmap" and "task list" for initiating Shaanxi's private higher education practice at the beginning of reform and opening up.
Therefore, Comrade Xi Zhongxun's earnest hopes are of significant milestone importance for advancing the development of Shaanxi's private education.
Over 40 years of time changes, Peihua people have always remembered Comrade Xi Zhongxun's earnest expectations, firmly grasping the development direction with a sense of mission to keep the original intention and remember the instructions, and building a firm belief in educating people for the party and the country.
When meeting with the two leaders of Peihua Women's University, Comrade Xi Zhongxun first mentioned that education should serve the strategic needs of the party and the country.
He pointed out, "No matter what you do, you must first consider the country and the party, look ahead and consider the future, which, from a philosophical perspective, means having a strategic viewpoint."
He hoped that the school would prioritize the interests of the party and the country in its operations.
Peihua Women's University is committed to cultivating talents for the socialist "Four Modernizations" (industrial, agricultural, national defense, and science and technology modernization) construction in China, meeting the era's demand for promoting women's diverse development. It contributes to nurturing female engineers, economists, writers, physicians, judges, and other professionals needed by the times, enabling women to make significant contributions to economic construction, social development, and the implementation of the western development strategy in Shaanxi Province. The university fully leverages women's role as the "half the sky" in the socialist "Four Modernizations" construction.
The restoration and establishment of Peihua Women's University represents an important exploration and practice in promoting comprehensive educational reform and diverse talent cultivation. It has become one of the first schools in the country to implement the Party's policy of "multi-level and multi-form education" under the new situation, demonstrating its commitment to placing the interests and needs of the Party and the country at the forefront.
With the care and support of successive Shaanxi Provincial Party Committees and Governments, in 2003, it was approved by the Ministry of Education to be upgraded to the first private undergraduate university in the twelve provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of the western region, and was renamed Xi'an Peihua University.
Over the past 40 years, we have remained steadfast in our commitment to serving the country through education.
Peihua has practically fulfilled the earnest expectations of Xi Jinping for Peihua.
During her time at Peihua Women's University, 80% of the students who graduated went on to become county- and department-level officials, making significant contributions to the economic development and social progress of Xi'an and Shaanxi Province.
After being promoted to a bachelor's degree program, the school has always regarded serving the economic development of local areas as its mission. In particular, in the past three years, 16,088 graduates have chosen to work or further their studies in western regions, accounting for 84.70% of the total employed graduates. Many students have actively participated in programs such as aid to Xinjiang, Tibet, the Western Development Project, "Three Supports, One Assistance," local special-post teacher program, enlistment in the armed forces, and entrepreneurship, which not only reflects the school's educational orientation of serving the nation, rooting in Shaanxi, and serving the grassroots, but also showcases the sense of responsibility of our graduates in making contributions to the development of the grassroots.
Over the past 40 years of unremitting efforts, the people of Peihua have actively fulfilled the earnest expectations of Comrade Xi Zhongxun. With a sense of responsibility to cultivate talents and revitalize China, they have laid a solid foundation for running the school and cultivated a tradition of rigorous scholarship and pragmatic truth-seeking.
"To run a good school, it is necessary to cultivate a good school spirit, teaching style, and learning atmosphere, and pay attention to the ideological education of young students," Comrade Xi Zhongxun clearly pointed out the key to running a good school.
Over the past 96 years, the school has always taken "educating people for the Party and cultivating talents for the country" as a clear political orientation in running the school and nurturing qualified talents. It has prioritized the enhancement of school spirit, teaching style, and learning atmosphere as crucial elements in the construction of a high-level university. Additionally, the school has regarded strengthening ideological and political education for young students as the lifeline of moral education and value guidance, thereby shaping a tradition of rigorous scholarship and a commitment to seeking truth and pragmatism, which has been continuously upheld and enriched throughout the entire process of talent cultivation to this day.
In implementing Comrade Xi Zhongxun's directive that "we must cultivate a good school spirit, teaching style, and learning atmosphere," the school has always regarded strengthening the construction of these three aspects as the foundational project for fulfilling the fundamental task of cultivating students' moral character and fostering talent.
In 1987, the school launched an educational campaign focused on "school spirit and discipline." This campaign summarized the teaching style of teachers as follows: leading by example, teaching through both words and actions, rigorous scholarship, upright behavior, educating students while teaching, being a model for students, fostering a sense of honor that "school reputation is supreme and quality is first," and taking full responsibility for students. The learning style of students was summarized as having a clear purpose for study, working hard and diligently, being eager to learn, being proactive and enterprising, and establishing communist beliefs and lofty ideals.
Through the "school spirit and discipline" campaign, the campus atmosphere improved significantly, providing a favorable learning and living environment for both teachers and students. Since then, the school has placed the construction of school spirit, teaching style, and learning atmosphere at a crucial position in the talent cultivation process, continuously reinforcing the central roles of teachers and students.
Cultivate students' strong abilities in comprehensive knowledge application, practical operation, and independent problem-solving. Guide students to aim high while remaining grounded, to learn knowledge well, lay a solid foundation, enhance their capabilities, and contribute their wisdom and strength to the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
In implementing Comrade Xi Zhongxun's instruction to "attach importance to the ideological education of young students," the school places great emphasis on ideological and political education as well as patriotism education for college students.
Peihua Women's University regards the "Two Courses" (ideological and political theory courses and moral education courses) as the main channel for carrying out ideological and political education for college students, with patriotism education serving as the main theme of these courses and ideological and political education. Patriotism education has always been integrated into various activities, becoming a spiritual pillar for teachers and students to unite and strive together.
In the new era, the school established the Shaanxi Red Culture Research Institute, combining red culture research with patriotism education for college students. An innovative theoretical propaganda team for joint education has been formed, consisting of "party and government officials + ideological and political teachers + counselors + academic mentors + professional teachers + student leaders."
They have carefully planned a series of branded activities such as "Ten Thousand Teachers and Students Taking the First Class Together," "Micro-Lectures Under the National Flag," "Collective Lesson Preparation by Ideological and Political Teachers," "Micro-Presentations Under the Red Flag," reading red letters, teaching classic revolutionary songs, and "Revolutionary Descendants Sharing Family Traditions." These activities create immersive and experiential new scenarios for ideological and political education, continuously enhancing the ideological and political guidance for young college students, and guiding them to listen to the Party, follow the Party, and strive to be new people of the era.
Over the past 40 years, we have deepened innovation and achieved steady development.
The school has cultivated a "campus culture of integrity and positivity, a rigorous teaching style, and a pragmatic learning atmosphere," firmly establishing the idea that "teaching and educating students is the primary responsibility of teachers, and studying diligently is the top priority of students."
The school has inherited the red gene and explored red resources, gradually forming a "five-in-one" ideological and political education mechanism with "ideological and political courses" and "ideological and political education integrated into all courses" as the main channels for educating students, ideological and political education and patriotism education activities as the main fronts for educating students, and "social practice classrooms," "mobile ideological and political courses," and "red venues and bases for educating people" as important components. This mechanism has issued the loudest call of the times to "cultivate talents and revitalize China."
Over the past 40 years, the people of Peihua have accurately grasped the earnest expectations of Comrade Xi Zhongxun, seized development opportunities with a sense of urgency to make every moment count, and written a splendid chapter of hard work and self-reliance.
Comrade Xi Zhongxun also said that schools should "cultivate qualified talents for the four modernizations." This is Comrade Xi's greatest hope for Peihua.
The staff and students of Peihua have always borne in mind Xi's earnest hopes, treating his messages and entrustments as the spiritual pillar and driving force for their vigorous efforts. Guided by the "struggle" spirit of "self-improvement in the face of internal difficulties, external challenges, and personal pressures," with a strong will to seize the moment, rush ahead courageously, and climb over obstacles, and driven by a sense of mission and urgency to be self-reliant, work hard, and have no regrets, they have seized development opportunities, faced challenges head-on, overcome numerous obstacles in the school's development process, and solved countless problems in education and teaching. They have written an epic history of entrepreneurship and continuous struggle, exploring amidst difficulties, advancing steadfastly, and developing through hard work and innovation.
In 2023, there was a cultural and artistic evening gala celebrating the 95th anniversary of the founding of Peihua.
Especially during the early days of Peihua Women's University, the former President Jiang Weizhi, with a keen understanding of the times, proposed the educational philosophy of "supporting education through industry and integrating industry with education". He aligned the school's development with the needs of the country and society, boldly forged close ties between the school and enterprises, and implemented the strategy of "supporting education through industry" to autonomously resolve funding issues and overcome the crisis in running the school. As private universities sprouted like bamboo shoots after a rain, the former President, with a sense of urgency and far-sighted strategy, actively promoted the upgrading of the school to a university level, further seizing development opportunities and striving for educational advantages.
After the upgrade to a university, the school promptly launched the "Undergraduate Major Innovation Project", emphasizing the strengthening of major construction, which brought excellent opportunities for implementing the connotative development of undergraduate teaching and greatly promoted the development of the college's undergraduate majors.
In the new era, driven by the strategy of building a powerful educational nation, the school centers on the goal of cultivating applied technology talents, guided by the needs of local economic development and industry enterprises, and focuses on the cultivation of vocational and technical abilities. Following the general requirements of "demand orientation, integration of industry and education, characteristic leadership, and innovative development", the school deeply promotes in-depth cooperation between talent cultivation in various majors and industries and enterprises.
The school adheres to the OBE (Outcome-Based Education) concept, promotes the construction of industry-oriented colleges, cultivates innovative momentum, seizes development opportunities, and lays a good foundation for the school's third entrepreneurial endeavor.
Over the past 40 years, we have braved wind and rain, remaining steadfast in our original aspiration.
Peihua has faced great difficulties in every period, process, and stage of its development. However, no matter what challenges it encounters, the people of Peihua always firmly believe and steadfastly act and face difficulties head-on.
The people of Peihua have taken Comrade Xi Zhongxun's earnest hopes as their greatest spiritual support and source of motivation. They seize opportunities, solve problems, stand on their own feet, work hard, and have explored numerous educational experiences for private education. They have forged a path of distinctive development and made their due contributions to serving local economic development, writing a splendid chapter of hard work and self-reliance.
The torrent of history rushes forward with the change of time, and the ship of development sails ahead with vigorous rowing and competition.
The message given to Peihua by Comrade Xi Zhongxun 40 years ago is highly consistent and in line with the essence of the important speech made by General Secretary Xi Jinping at the National Education Conference in 2024, which emphasized "closely centering around the fundamental task of cultivating people with morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor skills, and aiming to cultivate socialist builders and successors who are well-rounded in all aspects." Both emphasize that universities should cultivate talents to serve the needs of the Party and the country.
It also makes the people of Peihua deeply feel Comrade Xi Zhongxun's loyalty to the Party, pursuit of truth, emancipation of mind, seeking truth from facts, love for the people, and deep affection for education. This further demonstrates his profound concern for the development of Shaanxi.
It also reflects Comrade Xi Zhongxun's profound care for the humanities of his homeland, deep attachment to the mountains and rivers of Shaanxi, and immense love for the people of his hometown. At the same time, it showcases the revolutionary spirit, wise and far-reaching strategic vision, and lofty personal demeanor of the older generation of revolutionaries who fought their entire lives. These precious spiritual wealth left by Comrade Xi will forever inspire generations of Peihua people to inherit the red genes, carry forward the glorious traditions, and forge ahead with vigor and determination.
Yesterday's struggles have written today's achievements, and today's endeavors will surely bring tomorrow's glory.
The earnest instructions of Comrade Xi Zhongxun still echo in our ears, imbued with profound meaning and heartfelt concern, which warms our hearts and coalesces into a magnificent force driving us to remain true to our original aspiration and write a new chapter of glory. His heartfelt messages, visionary and insightful, fill everyone with warmth, confidence, and encouragement. Facing new historical opportunities and challenges, the school takes Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its fundamental guide and the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee as its direction. It thoroughly studies and implements President Xi Jinping's important exposition on building an educationally powerful nation and the spirit of the National Education Conference, keeps in mind Comrade Xi Zhongxun's kind care and earnest instructions, and promotes the school motto of "Prestige Above All, Quality First, Striving Continuously for Self-improvement, and Marching Forward with Courage." It upholds the spirit of "A Century-old Institution in Its Youth, Striving Forward in the New Era," focuses on comprehensively deepening comprehensive education reform and achieving overall high-quality development of the school, and advances audit assessment rectification, professional master's degree program applications, and professional structure optimization. It gathers social innovation resources, focuses on the forefront of industrial development, connects with local industrial needs, introduces industrial development models, and cultivates applied innovative talents. By taking the deep integration of industry, academia, and research as a breakthrough, it promotes teaching reform, industrial development, and talent cultivation in unison. It strives to cultivate applied innovative talents who meet the needs of social development and industrial dynamics, contributing to the cultivation of applied talents and the development of vocational education in the country.
The road ahead is as hard as iron, but now we are taking a new step. Pui Hwa people will always bear in mind the exhortation of Comrade Xi Zhongxun, be grateful for the new era of hard work, understand the responsibility with a historical perspective, recognize the responsibility with the new yardstick of the times, and take on the responsibility with the new expectations of students and parents. They will march forward with confidence on the journey of promoting high-quality development and building a first-class private university.
