Youth is a time of opportunity—and a time to strive forward. As another graduation season approaches, the “My Story with GZU” 2025 Graduate Sharing Meeting was held on June 19. Six representatives from the Class of 2025 delivered heartfelt speeches, recounting their memorable experiences at Guizhou University, about how they pursued their dreams and grew through perseverance and dedication. Looking ahead, they shared their aspirations: to apply what GZU has taught them to inspire more young people to contribute to rural revitalization; to carry forward the spirit they developed at the university and keep pressing forward; to live up to the expectations of their alma mater by becoming compassionate and committed professionals; and to follow in the footsteps of their mentors and advance the cause of promoting human well-being.

Leaders of the university, including Yang Wei, Song Bao’an, Zhang Jie, Zhang Dalin, Chen Xiangsheng, and Wang Jinrong, engaged in a face-to-face discussion with students.Also in attendance were heads of relevant departments and colleges, along with representatives of faculty supervisors, counselors, and students. The meeting was chaired by Zhang Jie, Deputy Secretary of the CPC GZU Committee.

The attending students were also actively engaged in discussions on the high-quality development of GZU and how to better support student growth and success. They offered suggestions on areas such as curriculum design, teaching and research, interdisciplinary collaboration, campus facilities and services, and dining culture. Heads of relevant departments, including the Office of Academic Affairs, the Office of Infrastructure Management, and the Office of Logistics Management, responded to the students’ concerns one by one.

Yang Wei, Secretary of the CPC GZU Committee, spoke highly of the graduates’ stories, praising them for embodying perseverance and the spirit of “actively seeking hardship” advocated by General Secretary Xi Jinping. She noted that the students’ suggestions reflected their thoughtful engagement with the national goal of building a strong educational system and their understanding of the strategic and political significance of education. She encouraged the graduates to stay true to their aspirations, fasten the “first button” of life, remain resilient in the face of challenges, sharpen their skills and carry forward GZU’s spirit of “extensive learning and earnest practice.” She also urged them to stay rooted in the people, explore the land with their own feet, and discover the deeper essence of the nation through their own hearts. In response to students’ concerns, Yang called on relevant departments to “make a list, identify weaknesses, and bring in capable personnel,” adopt the Initial Inquiry Responsibility System, and implement experience-based office practices to better serve students.

Song Bao’an, President of GZU and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, praised the six graduates for their impressive growth at GZU and the inspiring spirit they conveyed. He extended his wishes to the Class of 2025 for a bright and promising future. In response to the suggestions raised by students, he reaffirmed GZU’s commitment to staying student-centered. He urged relevant departments to not only address the specific issues mentioned but also reflect on similar underlying concerns. Student feedback, he emphasized, should serve as a key driver for continuous improvement in university governance and service delivery, as the ultimate goal is to better support and serve all GZU students.

At the meeting, Vice President Zhang Dalin also reported on the progress made in addressing issues raised during the 20th session of “Face-to-Face with University Leaders.”

Editor: Pang Aizhong

Chief Editor: Li Xufeng

Senior Editor: Ding Long

Translator: Jia Haibo