From October 29 to 30, 2016, some 120 principals from 87 famous middle schools in 20 provinces gathered together at the South University of Science and Technology of China (SUSTech) to discuss the issue of “Selecting and Cultivating Innovative People”, during which they demonstrated their wisdom. During their visit, the guests got a thorough understanding of the campus and lab construction. Through the interaction with the 300-odd students, the guests were deeply impressed by their excellent spoken English, outstanding capacity for scientific research, vitality and recognition towards SUSTech. During the conference, campus correspondents of the university seized the opportunity to interview some of the principals. Now, let’s take a look at how they look at SUSTech.

Ma Li, Principal of the No.2 Middle School of Hailar, Inner Mongolia

“This is my ideal university!”

“I regard SUSTech as my ideal university as soon as I know the principles it follows”, said

Ma Li, principal of the No.2 Middle School of Hailar, Inner Mongolia, who has been following SUSTech since its birth.

“Nowadays, China’s education focuses its attention on classroom and theory teaching, while provides few hands-on opportunities for students. It’s good that students in SUSTech have access to laboratories from their freshmen year because I always believe that only by integrating theory with practice can we fully understand and grasp knowledge.”

“If I were given an opportunity to further my study, I would love to come to SUSTech”, said Ma Li.

Fan Xiaoyun, Vice-principal of the No.1 Middle School of Linchuan, Jiangxi

“Full-English teaching makes SUSTech an international university.”

Fan Xiaoyun, vice-principal of the No.1 Middle School of Linchuan, told the reporters that she felt an affinity with and was at the same time curious about SUSTech since one of her college classmates and her students are professors here.

As an English teacher herself, vice-principal Fan takes great interest in the full-English teaching mode of SUSTech. After knowing how well students here are accustomed to this mode, she pointed out that the full-English teaching, which facilitates students to keep pace with international standards, is one of the most distinctive features as well as strengths of SUSTech. Besides, its unique college systems can make students more closely associated with each other, thereby enhancing the cohesion among them. “I sincerely hope that middle schools can also try to produce such excellent students and assure them a brighter future.”

Wang Lisuo, Vice-principal of No.1 High School of Baoding

“Locating cross-disciplinary points.”

Wang Lisuo, vice-principal of No.1 High School of Baoding, paid tribute to SUSTech’s liberal education. He said: “Nowadays, most students are not open-minded enough because they are divided into liberal arts and science students in high school. For those science students, without knowledge of literature, history and philosophy, they can be narrow-minded, while, those liberal arts students tend to be hesitant when composing professional articles due to their lack of knowledge of mathematics or physics. In this case, as students in SUSTech are not divided into different majors during their first two years, they can have a broader scope of knowledge, therefore are more open and creative. Although it’s a university of science and technology, I highly recommend all of you to learn more about culture and philosophy because it will help you in your scientific research. Besides, you are so lucky that you can choose your major more prudently since you have

two more years than other high school graduates to find out what major you are really into, therefore, you will have a higher chance to undertake a job you like.

Yang Qingzhong, Vice-principal of Qingdao No.2 Middle School, Shandong

“ SUSTech is a right choice!”

According to Yang Qingzhong, vice-principal of Qingdao No.2 Middle School of Shandong

Province, who made its first visit to SUSTech this time, SUSTech is a university with great potential since it does not only have a pleasant environment, but also a lively atmosphere.

After a chat with a student in SUSTech, Yang Qingzhong said that SUSTech provides students with an environment that is tailored to everyone’s personal characteristics and conducive to their development, thereby helping them find their future directions. And he also said that he would introduce SUSTech to his students and their parents to deepen their understanding of SUSTech and let them know that “SUSTech is a right choice!”

Chen Yaofeng, principal of Baoji High School, Shaanxi

“Everyone here is so energetic, both professors and students.”

It has been 14 years since Chen Yaofeng’s last visit in Shenzhen. The principal of Shanxi Baoji High School talked about his first impression of SUSTech, “A student-centered and academic-research-oriented culture is deeply rooted in the institution. Professors and students have developed a relationship featuring democracy, equality and harmony, which is rarely seen in other universities. Besides, everyone in SUSTech has a positive attitude. Both professors and students are so energetic and motivating, poised to take any challenges.”

“I did not know much about SUSTech. This time, however, when I come back to our school, I will publicize it, trying to attract more of our students to SUSTech and make them become a part of it next year. I’m fond of the students here, who are proud of themselves and their university.” He remarked, “The reform of existing system has to be undertaken by several first-class higher institutions in China. And SUSTech is at the forefront of reform.”

Zhang Wanmin, vice-principal of Changsha No.1 High School, Hunan

“SUSTech will have a promising future.”

It’s not the first visit to Shenzhen made by Zhang Wanmin, vice-principal of Hunan Changsha No.1 High School. This time, he is mostly impressed by Shenzhen’s progress in cultural profundity and education quality. Speaking of SUSTech, he said, “It’s a university characterized by a high starting point, new system and rapid development. Its commitment to the reform of higher education goes in line with the international development trend.” He also suggested that students in SUSTech, provided with great platforms and abundant resources, would make great accomplishments if they worked hard enough.

Mr. Zhang said, “I am confident that SUSTech will have a promising future, because it receives support from the whole society and holds fast to its development philosophy.”

Wang Xuedong, principal of Baotou No.1 High School, Inner Mongolia

“I’d like to see our students enrolled in SUSTech.”

“I first got to know SUSTech through media reports. It was right before the College Entrance Examination in 2016, when President Chen Shiyi led a team to our school to promote SUSTech that I had an in-depth understanding of SUSTech.” In the eyes of

Wang Xuedong, principal of Baotou No.1 High School, SUSTech is a globalized university whose development is prioritized. What’s more, it is laden with great potential and destined to have a bright prospect.

He told the journalist that this year, SUSTech began to enroll students from Inner Mongolia for the first time. He was satisfied that though the province was given a quota of 20 students, three of them were assigned to Baotou No.1 High School. “As the principal of

the school, I’d like to see our students enrolled in SUSTech, which is a great choice for them. I feel proud and relieved.” He said.

Jiang Zhong, vice-principal of Mianyang High School, Sichuan

“Hope my daughter can study here.”

Jiang Zhong, vice-principal of Sichuan Mianyang High School, highly praised the environment of SUSTech on his first visit to Shenzhen. He remarked, “Shenzhen is a garden-like city with fresh air and an agreeable environment. SUSTech is exceptionally beautiful, especially those students’ dormitories and activity rooms by the side of the lake. It’s so beautiful!”

He thought, “SUSTech is geographically privileged. Located in Shenzhen, a first-tier coastal city, SUSTech has acquired a significant advantage. Shenzhen is suitable for youngsters to live in and have start-ups because of its innovativeness, a spirit which SUSTech shares and our students are required of. Shenzhen and SUSTech, both full of vitality, are inextricably interconnected and mutually beneficial.” He said fervently, “I will be very pleased if my daughter can pursue her study here in a few years.”