In the golden autumn of October, Tsinghua University is filled with a vibrant academic atmosphere. On the afternoon of October 19th, Zhishan College successfully held its inaugural "Pursuit of Excellence" Learning Journey Festival in the back hall of the main building. Centered around the College's signature course, "Global Deep Dive", the event showcased its implementation methodology and student outcomes. It was dedicated to building a platform for integration between teachers and students, where teaching and learning enhance each other, guiding students to identify, research, and solve problems in real-world contexts.
Peng Gang, Vice President of Tsinghua University; Tang Ke, Dean of Zhishan College; Jin Jun, Vice Dean of Zhishan College; along with tutors, class advisors, and course instructors of Zhishan College attended the event, engaging in discussions on growth with the students.
1. Opening Remarks and Keynote Speech: Focusing on Social Science Perspectives and Practical Spirit
The event commenced with opening remarks by Dean Tang Ke, who extended a warm welcome and sincere gratitude to the distinguished guests. He emphasized that Zhishan College, with its foundation in the social sciences, underscores the critical role of fieldwork in developing social understanding and theoretical frameworks. In the digital age, he noted, authentic problems often stem from the real world. He then further elaborated that "Global Deep Dive", a signature program of the college, will continue to diversify its presentation formats, promote the publication of findings, enhance policy impact, and strengthen media collaboration. This program is designed to empower students to venture beyond campus into the global arena, honing their academic skills and sense of social responsibility through immersive fieldwork.
Vice President Peng Gang, drawing on Tsinghua's educational philosophy, encouraged students to explore courageously and pursue all-round development. He noted that Tsinghua is vigorously advancing the reform of its college system, with 56% of the Class of 2025 now enrolled in these colleges, underscoring the university's commitment to interdisciplinary and personalized education. He emphasized that social science research must be grounded in reality while also leveraging cutting-edge methods, fostering a spirit of scholarship and igniting intellectual sparks within the "Cong You" (teacher-student learning journey) culture. Citing the example of Professor Chen Ning Yang's dedication to nurturing younger scholars, he encouraged the formation of a closer-knit academic community among faculty and students.
2. Thematic Sharing and Resource Introduction: Methodological Support and Platform Enablement
Vice Dean Jin Jun delivered a thematic report titled "Global Deep Dive: Objectives, Methods, and Implementation". He began with a vivid anecdote from a student's research trip in Shanxi province, where they evolved from "swatting flies away" to "tuning them out", eloquently illustrating the process of field immersion and the development of a genuine feel for society. He then systematically outlined the college's structured "six-week research mechanism" which comprises two weeks of preparation, two weeks of on-site investigation, and two weeks for synthesis and application of findings. During the summer, Zhishan College dispatched seven practice squads, each comprising several task groups, to conduct grassroots investigations. These efforts resulted in a series of high-quality and impactful research reports.
Afterward, Du Xing from Class 43 of Zhishan College provided a systematic overview of the research and innovation resources at both the college and university levels. She highlighted that long-cycle initiatives, such as the "Disruptive Innovation Project", "Student Research Training (SRT) Program", and "Big Creation (Dachuang) Program" offer students sustained, in-depth research support. Short-term activities like the "Spark Series", "LeXue (Happy Learning) Workshops" and "Dean's Tea Sessions" serve to broaden academic horizons and foster dialogue. Additionally, major competitions like the "Challenge Cup" (Tiaozhan Bei) and "President's Cup" (Xiaozhang Bei) serve as vital platforms for showcasing outcomes and facilitating their practical application.
Student representative Zhou Yinuo, from Class 41 of Zhishan College, shared her personal journey from coursework to research, detailing her own transition path. She credited courses like "English Reading and Writing" and "Writing and Communication" with laying a solid foundation for her scholarly expression, while her volunteer service and social practice engagements ignited her concern for real-world problems. Building upon this foundation, she has completed two socially impactful research projects: one on mutual-aid networks for families of children with leukemia, and another on the state of life education in county-level middle schools.
3. Interactive Exchange and Showcase: Where Minds Meet
The event featured three dedicated interactive zones: an Academic Advisors' Corner, a Global Deep Dive and Student Research Poster Exhibition, and a Zhishan Student Association of Science and Technology Help Desk. The atmosphere was vibrant, with faculty and students engaging in in-depth discussions on topics such as project design, research methodology, and academic writing, fully reflecting a dynamic academic environment and the living practice of the "Cong You" educational culture.
4.Fieldwork Stories and Honored Moments: Insight from Details, A Journey Without Pause
During the "Global Deep Dive Experience Sharing" session, representatives from each team took the stage to share their observations, reflections, and experiences from the field. From rural governance to urban transformation, from cultural heritage to technological empowerment, these firsthand accounts showcased the academic pursuits of Zhishan students, grounded in China yet with a global perspective. The college awarded prizes to outstanding teams that performed exceptionally well in their research, recognizing their exemplary performance and solid achievements in practice.
Thus, Zhishan College's inaugural "Pursuit of Excellence" Cong You Festival concluded successfully. Though the event has ended, reflection and exploration continue. Zhishan College will launch a series of publications featuring findings from the "Global Deep Dive" program, fostering a virtuous cycle of investigation, dialogue, application, and renewed exploration. It is hoped that Zhishan students will grow through these "Cong You" learning journeys, seek truth in the field, and, with steadfast steps, stride toward a broader social vision and academic future.
