On January 11, 2019, the 2018-2019 Chinese Educators Conference and Grand Ceremony was held at the Phoenix International Media Center in Beijing. With the theme of “Cultivating the Younger Generation and Leading the Future”, Chinese educators from around the world gathered together to share the tremendous achievements of China’s education systems over the past 40 years since the reform and opening-up, and envision a future of better education. Eight outstanding Chinese educators were selected as “Famous Chinese Educator”. Prof. ZHAO Pengda and Prof. YIN Hongfu from CUG, both are members of Chinese Academy of Sciences, were awarded this honor.
Prof. ZHAO served as President of Wuhan College of Geology, President of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) and President of China University of Geosciences from 1983 to 2005. He is the longest-serving president of the same university since People’s Republic of China was founded. As a famous geomathematician and mineral prospecting and exploration scientist, Prof. ZHAO established the theory and method system of quantitative prediction of mineral resources in China and developed the national key discipline - Mineral Prospecting and Exploration.
At the conference, a video commented that as a famous president in China, Prof. ZHAO was the first Asian to win the William Christian Krumbein Medal. A Chinese poem written about him, which could be translated as “He is determined to work in the field of exploration, broadening his horizon by studying at Peking University; indulging himself in work after studying abroad and shouldering the important responsibility with industriousness; he is diligent in earth sciences, and committed to mineral prospecting and exploration; devoting himself to geological education and building a brighter future.” Prof. ZHAO is a witness of the growth of the geological research and education in P.R. China. He expressed that he would continue working in the field of Mineral Prospecting and Exploration that had been his life’s work.
LIU Limin, president of the China Education Association for International Exchange and former Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Education, presented the award to Professor ZHAO.
Prof. ZHAO said that education is the cornerstone of a country, since a nation will prosper only when its young people thrive, and young people thrive only when they receive good education. He expressed that he would work with all other educators to make greater contributions to China’s education system.
Prof. YIN served as President of China University of Geosciences (Wuhan) from 1996 to 2003. Distinguished as a palaeontologist, he initiated a series of subdisciplines such as Paleobiogeography, proposing the discipline system and development strategy of Geobiology. The research team led by YIN overcame difficulties and put forward a new definition of an international Permian-Triassic boundary for the first time. Under his leadership, the Global Stratotype Section and Point of the Permian-Triassic Boundary (GSSP) was located in Changxing, Zhejiang.
At the conference, the video commented that Prof. YIN is a brave man devoted to earth sciences; he is an innovative scholar loyal to scientific research, and a master who cultivates people meticulously and develops a good learning style. He is always strict with himself and selfless. Despite his declining years, he still works tirelessly all day long. He is keeping his promise to serve the country as a geologist all his life.
CUI Qiang, executive vice president of Phoenix Satellite TV and chairman of Phoenix Education, presented the award to Prof. YIN.
At the award ceremony, Prof. Yin shared his opinion with other educators that only straight tree can be used as pillars or beams of a house; only people of integrity could shoulder great responsibilities of a country. Education bears the future of a nation. He would remain true to his original aspiration, and committed to better education of future generations.
After the award ceremony, Prof. ZHAO and YIN, were interviewed. Prof. ZHAO expounded his educational concept of self-discipline, honesty and integrity, diligence, persistence, and excellence.
Prof. YIN pointed out that the core of education is to educate people. “Talents” are composed of “people” and “professional knowledge and skills”. “People” means the basic principle and attitude of doing scholarly research for the development of next generation. “Professional knowledge and skills” means the abilities, knowledge and achievements. Developing capabilities of students means cultivating their patriotism and scientific thoughts, which requires high standard of morality of the instructors.
At the conference, 6 other people were also awarded the title. They are Prof. XIE Mian from Peking University, JIN Yaoji, former President of Chinese University of Hong Kong, GAN Feng, former President of Beijing Jingshan School, ZHAO Guanqi, former Executive Vice President of Beijing University of Chemical Technology, WAN Xuanrong, President of Beijing Yangguang Children's Early Education Experimental Center, and MENG Xin, Chairman of East University of Heilongjiang.
The conference was jointly organized by All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, Phoenix Satellite TV, and Phoenix Education, and Overseas Chinese Charity Foundation of China. The conference aims to spread the ideas of Chinese educators, tap into quality education, create future educational ideas, and link Chinese education to the world.
(Edited and translated from the Chinese version）
