To honor the memory of Mr. Jiang Weizhi, the founder of Xi’an Peihua Women’s University, and to carry forward the Peihua spirit of “upholding the university’s reputation above all, prioritizing quality, striving for self-improvement, and forging ahead with innovation”, Xi’an Peihua University held a commemorative ceremony on the morning of April 3 at Weizhi Square to mark the 100th anniversary of Mr. Jiang’s birth during the Qingming Festival. Members of the university leadership team, heads of administrative departments and colleges, secretaries of primary-level Party organizations, representatives of Mr. Jiang Weizhi’s family, as well as representatives of the “Jiang Weizhi Class”, recipients of the “Jiang Weizhi Scholarship”, representatives of outstanding CPC members, and faculty and student representatives—more than 200 participants in total—attended the event. The ceremony was presided over by Han Wei, Executive Vice President of the university.
Han Wei, Executive Vice President of Xi’an Peihua University, Presides over the Ceremony
Jiang Bo, Chairman of Xi’an Peihua University, Delivers a Speech
The commemorative event commenced in a solemn and respectful atmosphere. Jiang Bo, Chairman of Xi’an Peihua University, delivered a heartfelt address. He reflected on Mr. Jiang Weizhi’s remarkable journey of devoting himself to education—using education as a guiding light and his original aspiration as a driving force—deeply cultivating private education and serving the nation through education. He noted that Mr. Jiang Weizhi’s noble educational philosophy and commitment to nurturing talent have long been embedded in Peihua’s spiritual heritage, serving as an enduring source of inspiration for all faculty and students. Generations of Peihua members have carried forward this legacy through perseverance, dedication, and selfless contribution, building the university’s profound foundation and honor. In his speech, Chairman Jiang also recalled Mr. Jiang Weizhi’s steadfast commitment to educational ideals during times of hardship, as well as the touching support of Ms. Hou Huizhi, who stood by him through adversity and contributed to the cause of education. He emphasized that all members of Peihua should carry forward Mr. Jiang’s legacy, uphold the original mission of public-oriented education, and practice the belief that “the value of life lies in dedication”. Guided by Mr. Jiang’s vision and compassion, the university will continue advancing its goal of strengthening foundational disciplines and achieving master’s degree–granting status, while promoting high-quality development and contributing to the national endeavor of building a strong education system. He encouraged all faculty and students to remain true to their original aspirations, carry forward the legacy, and embrace the university’s centennial anniversary with confidence and determination.
Faculty and Student Representatives of the “Jiang Weizhi Class” from the School of Media and Design Deliver a Recitation
During the poetry tribute session, faculty and student representatives from the “Jiang Weizhi Class” of the School of Media and Design took the stage to recite the themed poem “A Century of Glory, the Torch Forever Burning”. The poem traced back to 1949, when Mr. Jiang Weizhi first stepped onto the podium at Peihua, and recalled his decades-long dedication to education. It also revisited the arduous journey in 1984 when he re-established the first women’s university in New China. Through its verses, the poem commemorated Mr. Jiang’s generous support for students from underprivileged backgrounds, his initiative to reduce or waive tuition fees, and his pioneering efforts in developing an “industry-supported education” model to sustain the university. It praised his unwavering belief in “upholding the university’s reputation above all and prioritizing quality”, as well as his spirit of selfless dedication. At the conclusion of the recitation, all faculty and students joined together in proclaiming, “a century of glory, the torch forever burning”. Their voices echoed across Weizhi Square, paying tribute to the century-long legacy of the University’s founder and expressing the firm determination of Peihua’s young generation to carry forward his spirit and continue writing a new chapter in education.
Li Yingfang, President of Xi’an Peihua University, Reads the Memorial Tribute
Following this, Li Yingfang, President of Xi’an Peihua University, stepped forward, bowed three times, and solemnly read the memorial tribute. Composed in a classical four-character style, the tribute conveyed profound remembrance and respect for Mr. Jiang Weizhi. Tracing the course of his life, the tribute recalled his early years in Nanyang, where he developed a passion for education, and his later dedication to teaching at Peihua. It recounted how, despite being wronged during the Anti-Rightist Movement and enduring two decades of hardship, he remained steadfast in his educational ideals, and how, after being rehabilitated, he resumed his efforts to re-establish Xi’an Peihua Women’s University. The tribute highlighted his educational philosophy of “supporting education through industry” and “integrating industry with education”, and praised his character—his devotion to the university as if it were his home, his care for students as if they were his own children, and his selfless dedication to public service. In its latter part, the tribute reviewed the university’s present achievements in discipline development, talent cultivation, and social service, demonstrating the enduring legacy of Mr. Jiang’s educational vision. It concluded with the words, “we shall carry forward your legacy, press ahead with courage, and create new brilliance”, serving both as a tribute to Mr. Jiang and a call to unite all members of Peihua in continuing his mission.
During the solemn wreath-laying ceremony, Jiang Bo, Chairman of Xi’an Peihua University, Li Yingfang, President, Yao Wenjing, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Committee, and Chen Ling, Chair of the Labor Union, together with family representatives Hao Lingling, Jiang Lang, and Jiang Tao, as well as student representatives, presented floral tributes on behalf of the Board of Directors, the University Administration, the CPC Committee, the Labor Union, Mr. Jiang’s family, and all young students. They carefully adjusted the ribbons and arranged the flowers, expressing profound remembrance and deep respect for the late founding president.
Following the wreath-laying ceremony, all attendees stood in silence and paid tribute with three bows, honoring the late founding president for his dedication to education, his unwavering commitment to his original aspirations, and the enduring legacy of his spirit.
At the conclusion of the event, Han Wei, Executive Vice President of Xi’an Peihua University, called on all members of the university to take the founding president as a model—remaining steadfast in the mission of serving the nation through education, upholding loyalty to the Party’s educational cause, and courageously undertaking the responsibility of fostering virtue through education. He urged the entire Peihua community to continue writing a new chapter in the university’s high-quality development and to contribute greater strength to the advancement of higher education in China.
The commemorative event concluded successfully in a solemn yet warm atmosphere. Afterwards, faculty and student representatives, holding flowers in their hands, stepped forward one by one to lay them before the statue of the late founding president, expressing their deep remembrance and highest respect.
A century-old flame continues to burn without end; the mission of serving the nation through education remains as steadfast as ever. Mr. Jiang Weizhi devoted his life to the noble belief that “the value of life lies in dedication”. His spirit has long become the most profound cultural gene of Peihua, deeply embedded in the hearts and minds of generations of its people. Standing at a new historical juncture, Xi’an Peihua University remains guided by his spirit, firmly pursuing its goal of strengthening foundational disciplines and achieving master’s degree–granting status, while advancing high-quality development with determination and diligence in the field of private higher education. Taking the 100th anniversary commemoration as a new starting point, all members of Peihua will carry forward his legacy and forge ahead with renewed vigor, striving courageously to build a distinctive, high-level application-oriented private university. In doing so, they will contribute greater strength and wisdom from Peihua to the flourishing development of higher education in China.
