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[120th Anniversary] Know Beida via Keywords: Cultivation of Talents
May 29, 2018
Peking University, May 25, 2018: Peking University celebrated its 120th anniversary on May 4, the date of its founding in 1898. As a milestone in the history of PKU, the 120th anniversary serves as a key point to review past achievements and to look forward to future developments. Knowing Beida via 120 keywords, produced by Beidanews, is a series of historical snapshots that provide a fresh and immersive avenue to explore PKU’s illustrious past.

1. The 16-character education principle(德才均备、体魄健全、守正创新、引领未来)

The 16-character education principle encompasses the educational goals of Peking University. Its tenants include fine moral, academic, and physical qualities, and the hope of becoming a site of both traditional preservation and future innovation. Peking University aims to provide the best educational experience for students allowing them to fully realize their potential.

2. The May 4th Medals

The “May 4th Medals” for outstanding students and “May 4th Trophies” for distinguished classes were created in 1998, right before the 100-year anniversary of Peking University and commemorate the May Fourth Movement initiated by students of Peking University. Being the highest honor granted to individual students and classes, “May 4th Medals” and “May 4th Trophies” are awarded every 2 years. The awarding ceremony of the 11th May 4th medals has just been held in April, 2018.

3. Innovation and Entrepreneurship

Peking University promotes innovation and entrepreneurship through education, practice and a support system for extracurricular activities. Recently, enterprises created by graduates, such as OFO and Microchip, have been widely successful and celebrated. Peking University has also been honored multiple times as a higher education institution which makes significant contributions to the development of innovation and entrepreneurship.

4. Summer Social Practice

In July 2017, 20 graduate students from 16 faculties went to research and do volunteer work in the Philippines, under the theme of “Connecting China and the Philippines.” It was the first time since its creation 32 years ago that the graduate volunteer team went abroad. Peking University students, however, have a long tradition of forming different Social Practice teams to serve Chinese society, making practical and valuable contributions.

5. The Yuanpei Reform

Peking University first developed the principle of “consolidating the basis and diluting majors, dividing and educating the students according to individual talents.” The “Yuanpei Plan,” named after the first principle of Peking University, Mr. Cai Yuanpei, was initiated in 2001, followed by the establishment in 2007 of “Yuanpei College,” the first undergraduate college without major. Undergraduate education at Peking University is guided by the idea of “providing basic and liberal education in the first and second year, and gradually put individual and professional education in practice in the higher grades.” In 2016, Peking University reformed its educational framework to offer liberal education to all undergraduate students.

6. Emphasis on Seminars

Since 2012, Peking University has started combining large-scale lectures and small-scale seminars in order to motivate both the students and teachers. The increase in seminar-style classes also makes the curriculum more challenging and allows students to better develop their skills while also promoting increased communication between students and teachers.

Each semester there are almost 30 lectures transformed into seminars, and more than 100 faculty members are now teaching seminars.

7. “Application-Examination System” for Ph.D. students

In order to enrich the selection system for Ph.D. students and to promote educational quality, in recent years Peking University first implemented and then reformed the “application-examination system” for Ph.D. applicants. The new structure, based on comprehensive qualities and abilities was first implemented by 9 schools and departments. In 2017 all faculties put the new system into practice. The “application-examination system” is an example of educational reform in graduate education at Peking University.

8. The Green Growth Plan

Peking University supports students from families with financial difficulties from the admissions process through graduation. Loans and financial aid as well as 13 non-financial assistance projects are provided by the university in order to help students throughout their education at PKU.

9. The Star Teacher Lecture

During the afternoon of October 10th, 2014, Professor Li Yining spoke at the first “Star Teacher Lecture” at Peking University. His presentation, titled “Strong Country and Prosperous People,” was heard by about one thousand teachers and students. In 2014, 12 famous scholars were invited to interpret the 12 keywords of Socialism in China, in order to lead students to better understand the core values of modern socialism.

10. The “Family-Country” Strategy

The “Family-Country” Strategy of Peking University encourages graduates to contribute to their hometown and to serve local areas most in need. Peking University cooperates with more than 20 provinces and cities in cultivating talent and encouraging students to devote themselves to grassroots organizations, the western areas of the country, and the key Chinse industries. In recent years, a group of outstanding graduates has embraced this cause and their actions have received a great deal of attention. One graduate, Chen Lijuan, is one of the first University Student Village Officers.

11. The National Teaching Achievement Award

The National Teaching Achievement Award, recognizing the highest level of teaching in Chinese higher education, is the only national award granted in higher education. Peking University has acquired 71 National Teaching Achievement Awards since 2001. 

12. The National Project Teaching Materials

Peking University scholars have produced hundreds of distinguished teaching materials, including many classical textbooks known for their academic quality. These teaching materials not only enrich national education but also have entered the international market, contributing to the development of higher education worldwide.

Written by: Hu Yue
Edited by: Zhou Yijing, Erin Dunne 
Source: PKU News (Chinese)
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