Author: Yang Xinyu

Publisher: School of Economics  

Date: October 10, 2024

On September 29th, the School of Economics at Jinan University held the award ceremony for its keynote speech finals and essay competition, themed  Sharing Youth with the Motherland to Celebrate its Birthday. The event took place in the alumni building's lecture hall and attracted over 100 attendees, including prominent figures such as Deng Wenyan, Deputy Director of the Organization Department of the School Party Committee; Gao Dexing, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Economics; and other faculty members, students, and guests.

(At the ceremony)

Deng Wenyan commended the careful preparation of the speech and essay competitions by the School Party Committee, noting that the event was not only a tribute to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China but also a platform for students to contribute Jinan’s insights for economic development and social progress. She encouraged students to love their country and people, establish strong ideals, value their time in education, and embody core socialist values.

In the final segment of the competition, ten contestants drew inspiration from China’s rich history to explore the theme through personal experiences. 

(Yang Zhou was delivering a speech)

Yang Zhuo, a master's student in finance from the class of 2023, used his hometown in Guizhou to reflect on 75 years of the motherland’s struggles, encouraging peers to embrace the waves of change. Zhao Zhiting, an undergraduate in economic statistics, shared stories of perseverance through the examples of Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen and her own journey at Jinan University, highlighting the multifaceted nature of struggle.

Zheng Anqi, another undergraduate finance student, spoke about engaging with rural communities during a summer project, emphasizing the importance of connecting classroom knowledge with real-world experiences. Zhong Wenxuan, representing the International Economics and Trade program, metaphorically compared resilient poplar trees to young people who should nurture their own determination and strength.

The event also featured presentations from Wu Zhen, Sun Jiawei, He Yehua, Wang Luoyi, and Li Guokun, each sharing their perspectives on a range of topics from grassroots enterprise research to honoring the Red Boat Spirit of revolutionary history. Following their inspiring speeches, audience members participated in a lively quiz session, further engaging with the themes of the competition.

(Audience Participation)

Suke, a faculty member, provided a summary of the contestants' performances, underlining the overarching themes of personal development, history, and social contributions present in their speeches. He expressed the importance for economics students to aim for contributions to China's modernization.

Yang Guangren, Vice Dean, reflected on the optimism and potential demonstrated by all participants and encouraged students to maintain enthusiasm for their studies and patriotism. Professor He Wentao, a retired faculty member, also presented inspiring notes to the contestants to motivate their continued growth.

(At the award ceremony)

After judging, Li Guokun was awarded the special prize, while He Yehua and Zhong Wenxuan received first prizes. Additional prizes were granted to other competitors based on audience votes, with Li Guokun earning the Most Popular Award.

In conjunction with this event, the School of Economics organized a themed essay competition titled 75 Years of Glorious Road, Forge Ahead on a New Journey. The competition received over 40 submissions, highlighting the literary talents of both faculty and students. Liu Jinshan topped the teacher category, while Xu Niye won first prize in the student group, with several other prizes awarded in various categories.

(Award Presentation to Representatives of Outstanding Teachers)

This event aimed to celebrate national pride and to inspire teachers and students to translate their academic experiences into practical contributions, in line with the ongoing commitment to patriotism and social responsibility within the school community.