Recently, the People's Daily highlighted a signed piece by Wang Hongyuan, Chairman of the University Council at BFU, titled "Fostering New-Era 'Great Teachers' for Ecological Civilization: Guidance from the Educator Spirit".

Here is the complete article:

Fostering New Era 'Great Teachers' for Ecological Civilization: Guidance from the Educator Spirit

The prosperity of a nation is deeply connected to education, and the foundation of a strong country rests on its educators. In September 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping praised the enduring contributions of teachers to national development and rejuvenation in a letter to exemplary educators across the country. He detailed the essence and expectations of the educator's spirit, assigning a significant mission to teachers in the new era. His words reflected the deep commitment and hopes of a leader for his nation's educators, offering a clear path and specific guidelines for the ongoing enhancement of the teacher workforce. In response, Beijing Forestry University has diligently applied Xi Jinping's directives on fortifying teacher development, actively embodying and advancing the spirit of educators, and dedicated efforts to cultivate a skilled teaching staff for the modern era.

Solidifying Ideological Foundations: Cultivating Educators with Moral Integrity

Educators need to continue their own education as well. As dream builders of the "Chinese Dream Team", teachers must uphold their Marxist beliefs and practice socialist core values, inspiring students to pursue their dreams. Recognizing the critical importance of developing its teaching staff, BFU prioritizes enhancing political and ideological qualifications as a core task. The institution has implemented weekly concentrated sessions for political theory learning among its teachers. Over the past five years, BFU has deployed 106 young teachers to support poverty alleviation and rural revitalization efforts in Inner Mongolia. This initiative not only contributes to national goals but also enriches the teachers' sense of national spirit and dedication. Going forward, BFU plans to deepen the infusion of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era into the university's educational principles, promoting educational spirit and mission through targeted activities to enhance the teachers' ideological and moral standards.

Advancing Educational Expertise: Developing Educators with Pedagogical Skills

Strong education stems from strong educators. Since its establishment, BFU has made historic leaps in developing a resilient and ambitious educational ethos, enhancing openness, and fostering innovation. Teachers are encouraged not just to educate in classrooms but to engage deeply with ecological and geographical challenges, instilling fundamental moral and educational values while contributing significantly to the nation's forestry and ecological initiatives. BFU has been committed to enhancing teachers' expertise in high-quality education and self-reliance in technology through "5·5 Program", recognizing them as crucial to talent development. Future efforts will focus on aligning closely with national strategies, enhancing teacher training and support systems, and nurturing teachers who are adept in knowledge and rich in moral integrity.

Focusing on National Priorities: Fostering Educators for Ecological Civilization and Green Innovation

Fruitful studies from exploration should be harvested in the vast territory of our motherland. Over the past 70-odd years, BFU has cultivated educators who embody sincerity and patriotic devotion, such as the academician who dedicated his life to soil conservation and the "Father of Triploid Poplar" who focused on tree breeding and education. As a leading institution in green education, BFU thrives on its forestry-focused foundation. Moving forward, BFU is tasked with nurturing a cadre of pioneers adept in learning, innovation, and addressing major challenges, contributing to the harmony between humans and nature and the beautification of China. In future, ecological civilization will continue to be prioritizd as the foundational principle, guiding our teachers to align personal growth with national strategic needs, focus on organized research in ecological systems, and illuminate the path to high-quality development with a greener approach, painting a picturesque vision of China.

Embracing the spirit of educators is vital for nurturing a skilled teaching workforce, pivotal to bolstering China’s aspirations as a leader in education, technology, and talent. Positioned at the crossroads of these three fields, universities are tasked with deeply embedding this spirit into faculty development to harness teachers’ potential as foundational resources for national progress. BFU is dedicated to actualizing Xi Jinping’s important expositions on education, enhancing the teaching resources to spearhead initiatives in ecological civilization and educational excellence. The teachers are shaepd to be frontrunners in green development and innovation in forestry and agricultural education, playing a proactive role in building a robust educational framework and a sustainable China, while cultivating versatile leaders for the nation’s future.

Paper link: http://edu.people.com.cn/n1/2024/0826/c1006-40306437.html

Translated and edited by Song He
Reviewed by Yu Yangyang