On May 16, the signing and unveiling ceremony for the joint training program for Sports Science master’s students between Xi’an Peihua University and Wuhan Sports University was held in Conference Room 1 of Mingde Building. Attending the event were Lyu Wangang, President of Wuhan Sports University; Yang Yi, Dean of the Graduate School; Peng Xiaowei, Dean of the Physical Education College; and Zheng Xiangping, Dean of the Sports Training College, together with Li Yingfang, President of Xi’an Peihua University; Wang Wenqiang, Deputy Director of the Office for Discipline Development (Master’s Degree Application); Wang Zhiqiang, Dean of the School of Physical Education and Sports; and Ma Dehou, Secretary of the General Party Branch and Deputy Dean for Administration of the School of Physical Education and Sports, along with faculty and student representatives from both universities. The ceremony was chaired by Jiang Yingchu, Secretary-General of the Board of Trustees and Vice President of Xi’an Peihua University.

Jiang Yingchu, Secretary-General of the Board of Trustees and Vice President of Xi’an Peihua University, chairs the ceremony

President Li Yingfang delivered the welcome address. He noted that Wuhan Sports University, as a pioneer of higher physical education in New China, has built a comprehensive academic system in sports science and has consistently ranked among the top institutions nationwide in successive Ministry of Education discipline evaluations. He added that the School of Physical Education and Sports, since its founding in 2020, has upheld the philosophy of “cultivating the whole person through physical training, culture, and moral character”, developing distinctive strengths and strong momentum. He said the signing of the joint training agreement reflects a strategic choice by both institutions to complement each other’s strengths and pursue shared development, as well as an innovative practice in collaborative education between a private university and a renowned public institution. President Li stated that the university would use this as an opportunity to strengthen the joint training base, deepen collaborative research and innovation, and broaden and deepen cooperation, contributing to the high-quality development of China’s sports sector.

In his remarks, Lyu Wangang, President of Wuhan Sports University, spoke highly of Xi’an Peihua University’s achievements in higher education. He said that Xi’an Peihua University, as a pioneer of private higher education in western China, has accumulated extensive experience in cultivating application-oriented talent. He noted that the two universities share common goals and complementary strengths in physical education, and that this cooperation is a practical step in implementing the national strategy for building a stronger education system. He added that Wuhan Sports University would fully leverage its strengths in disciplines, faculty, and research to work with Xi’an Peihua University in exploring new models for talent cultivation and setting an example for in-depth inter-university cooperation.

At the ceremony, Lyu Wangang and Li Yingfang jointly signed the Agreement on the Joint Training of Sports Science Master’s Students and unveiled the plaque for the “Joint Training Base for Sports Science Master’s Students”.

Lyu Wangang presented letters of appointment as joint training graduate supervisors to nine Xi’an Peihua University faculty members: Ma Dehou, Zhang Jinjin, Liu Lifeng, Zhao Xinying, Guo Pengju, Jin Ma, Lei Genghua, Lyu Jing, and Du Feng.

Keynote Report Session

The keynote report session was chaired by Wang Zhiqiang, Dean of the School of Physical Education and Sports 

at Xi’an Peihua University

Lyu Wangang, President of Wuhan Sports University, delivered a keynote report on discipline development in sports science, teacher certification, and master’s degree training. Drawing on Wuhan Sports University’s experience, he analyzed the new circumstances and challenges facing higher physical education in China, outlined the substance and pathways of discipline development in sports science, and shared successful experience in graduate training, research innovation, and community service. The report combined theoretical depth with practical guidance, offering valuable insight for Peihua’s work in discipline development and master’s degree training in sports science.

This agreement on joint graduate training marks a key step forward for Xi’an Peihua University in graduate education, one that will strengthen the university’s discipline development in sports science and help cultivate more high-caliber, application-oriented sports talent for western China. Professor Wang Zhiqiang, Dean of the School of Physical Education and Sports at Xi’an Peihua University, said that, building on this cooperation, the two universities would move forward together, sharing resources, and would elevate joint graduate training to a new level, jointly writing a new chapter in the development of higher physical education.