By Professor Men Honghua

Dean of the School of Political Science & International

Relations, Tongji University

Dear Students and colleagues,

The opening ceremony of the new academic year held on Teacher’s Day is destined to be a brilliant chapter that we will remember for a lifetime. Mencius regarded “teaching the most talented in the world” as the source of happiness for a gentleman. On this special day, at Jishi College, I am honored to share my thoughts and experiences with you, the new blood of Tongji University.

The world today is undergoing unprecedented changes in a century with the coincidence of globalization adjustment, power restructuring and a new scientific revolution. Currently, the widespread COVID-19 has caused a serious influence on the economies of various countries and the world order, and resulted in sudden change in the international landscape. The convergence of risks and challenges has brought about a drastic change in China’s external environment. In the face of such turbulent and perplexing changes in the international landscape and the major country relations, only by maintaining a strategic focus, adhering to the bottom-line thinking and promoting strategic innovation can China achieve a strategic breakthrough and pave a sound way for national rejuvenation.

The spirit of partnership for joint response to challenges is the enlightenment from the times, and also, the responsibility of yours in the new era! You are young and filled with student enthusiasm, which endows you with the courage to pass judgment on everything. However, what really allows you to make a difference lies in your strategic determination from the inside and your broad horizon from the outside. Jishi College not only provides you with wisdom to shelter from the storm, but also bestows on you the courage to blaze a trail through all manner of obstacles, as we have not only profound philosophy, exquisite language, rigorous law, and quiet beauty of art, but also a sound understanding of the society and a broad and strong view of the politics.

You are born to be the practitioners connecting China with the rest of the world, and the School of Political Science & International Relations is willing to open the door for you to contribute to the country and the world. As a pioneer in academic development, our School adheres to the principle of “building the School on sound institutions, prospering it through academic excellence, making it stronger through discipline development, and putting students first”, and strengthens the research characteristics of governance - strategy - the history of ideology. In recent years, it has been successively approved to set up a primary discipline authorized to offer doctoral degree program in political science, and the primary discipline postdoctoral research station in political science. The Tongji Base for Research on International Cyberspace Governance was approved by the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) & the Ministry of Education (MOE). Our School has rapidly grown into an academic stronghold with extraordinary domestic and international influence in the new era. With a complete platform of disciplines, an optimized talent team, a rich variety of academic activities and a global footprint of international exchanges, our School has become a standard-bearer in the liberal arts of Tongji University, an outstanding representative in political science and international relations in Shanghai, and a backbone force respected by peer colleges and schools nationwide. Born in the era of upward development and flourishing in the process of reform, our School is proficient in the dialectics of balance between action and silence, and is committed to seeking for knowledge and adhering to the pure land of the heart in the bustling metropolis.

“The mountain has doubled its brilliance attributed to the beautiful jade in it, while the river has been so charming thanks to the pearls contained.” I always believe that you are the most precious wealth of Tongji. Looking ahead, I have great expectations for you as follows.

I expect you to ordain conscience for Heaven and Earth, and cultivate the values of honesty and faithfulness. There are no shortcuts to dreams, and only by working without bluster and ostentation and studying assiduously and perseveringly can our dreams come true. I expect all of you to be always firm in your faith and actively explore the true meaning of life, and expect you to open your mind, broaden your horizons, keep exploring the unknown, feel the colorful world, and maintain your purity, sincerity, integrity and dignity. 

I expect you to secure life and fortune for the people, and develop your sense of responsibility of serving our country and benefiting our people. As said in The Analects of Confucius, “extensively confer benefits on the people, and assist all.” This should also be the meaning of generosity of Jishi College. Please link your own destiny with our country, our society and our planet, by which, I believe, you will get to a higher life state, gain a broader vision, and thus lead a happier and more fulfilling life.

I expect you to continue lost teachings for past sages, and build a knowledge chain for application to meet practical needs. It is not easy to attain knowledge through studying the essence of things. Only by standing on the shoulders of giants can you look inside yourself and appreciate the pleasure brought by knowledge. At Jishi College, you will be inspired and guided by teachers to have dialogues with the ancient and modern Chinese and foreign sages, and exchange views with elites from all walks of life in an open and inclusive environment. I also expect you to cultivate awe-inspiring spirit through an immersion in the picturesque landscape of China, build your knowledge and skills reserve, and make good use of what you have learned.

I expect you to establish peace for all future generations, and develop the sense of mission of “serving our country and the worldwith one heart”. China has always cherished a world ideal, from the ancient Tian Xia (all under heaven) thought, to the vision of creating a harmonious world, and to the latest, innovative concept of building a global community of shared future. The realization of the national ideal requires the support of individuals’ ideals, while the emotion of “serving our country and the world with one heart” shines with your actions. May you grow with our country and the world.

Please allow me to share with you a famous saying of SIMA Qian, “Do not be conceited in prosperity; dispirited in adversity; arrogant in comfort; or scared in crisis. He who has an ambition but looks calm will be made a great general.” I look forward to your growth, excellence and success.

 Thank you!