Speech by Dean Men Honghua

At the Opening Ceremony First Alumni Forum of the School of 

Political Science & International Relations, Tongji University

Dear Alumni,

Good afternoon!

The School of Political Science & International Relations (SPSIR) of Tongji University has been established for 11 years. Over these years, all of you have been caring about its growth and developed an ever closer bond with it. Today is a day of reunion. On behalf of all the faculty members and students of the School, I'd like to extend a warm welcome to your attendance online and express sincere congratulations on the successful convening of the first Alumni Forum of the School. I'm looking forward to recalling the past and looking into the future with you!

A towering tree must have its roots; a river that runs around the mountain must have its source. We are miles apart but close at heart. We gather in front of the screen to renew our friendship, recalling the good old days at Tongji, and catching up with each other on the life experience after leaving the university. Now we are no longer young and naive, but I believe, we will still uphold the ideals and work passionately to become the mainstay of our own fields. The internet makes the world small. Although I can't see all of your faces on the screen, I can feel your excitement and enthusiasm! Taking this event as an opportunity, I hope, you can come back to the school often. I'm looking forward to working together with you again to write a new chapter for the future!

The School has gone through trials and hardships in the early days. It was founded in 2009, coinciding with the beginning of China’s rise and the full display of its charm in the world. It is underpinned by the prosperity of the country. We are embracing a new era when the profound transformation of the world goes hand in hand with the all-round rise of China. Thanks to the grand, flourishing new era, we are given a rare opportunity to accomplish our mission of educating top talents for the country. The School was founded at the historic moment and will advance with the times.

The School is standing at the forefront of academia. We are committed to cultivating elites with a global vision and strategic thinking, who are able to provide innovative, interdisciplinary solutions to major practical problems, and have a good knowledge of national governance and international affairs. During the 13th Five-Year Plan period starting in 2016, we have, under the new leadership, adhered to the philosophy of 'openness, fairness and justice', upheld the tenet of 'building the School on sound institutions, prospering it through academic excellence, making it stronger through discipline development, and putting students first', sought development with an goal-oriented approach, and promoted reforms based on specific questions. In this way, we have made outstanding achievements in discipline development, institutional guarantee, scientific research, talent cultivation, social services and international exchanges, etc., embarking on a promising road of comprehensive development.

Bearing in mind the concept of “seeking a holistic approach to both the domestic and international situations”, we implement a differentiated development strategy to amplify our research characteristics of “governance & strategy”. We seek to develop the School into a strategic research platform with a significant influence at home and abroad. And we have made major breakthroughs continuously. In January 2018, the first-level discipline doctoral program in political science was established upon approval. In July 2018, the Tongji Base for Research on International Cyberspace Governance under the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) & the Ministry of Education (MOE) was established upon approval, becoming the first national research base for the liberal arts of Tongji University. And in September 2019, the first-level discipline postdoctoral research program in political science was established upon approval. Having what it takes for disciplinary development, we have successfully 'stood up' and begin to move towards a new era of 'getting stronger'.

We have made the following achievements in 11 years.

First, an impressive academic platform. We have consecutively set up doctoral programs, national research bases and postdoctoral programs. We have developed a rudimentary bachelor-master-doctor (BMD) straight-through program and an increasingly mature interdisciplinary cultivation system. Our call and influence in talent cultivation is greatly enhanced. Besides, we have continuously strengthened cooperation with the Office of the National Security Commission of the CPC Central Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the International Department of the CPC Central Committee (IDCPC), the MOE, the CAC and other central ministries and commissions. Our decision-making consultation reports have received affirmative comments from Xi Jinping, Li Keqiang and other state leaders.

Second, an optimized and upgraded teaching team. We have built a teaching team with optimized professional structure, relatively reasonable age structure, and a certain level of teaching & research and academic influence at home and abroad. We have appointed 2 chief experts under the Central Marxist Theory Research and Construction Project as distinguished professors. Our representative scholars have won titles including Leading Talent in Philosophy and Social Sciences of the National “Ten Thousand Talents Program” and Cultural Figure & Talent in the “Four Talent Programs” of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. And we have assistant professors awarded honors of Shanghai Chenguang Scholar and so on. Also, we have appointed a number of renowned political scientists to form an advisory committee on development of the political science discipline and hired over 20 domestic and foreign professionals as adjunct professors.

Third, breakthroughs in research output. We seek to build a strategic research platform with a significant influence at home and abroad, and play a leading role in academic fields including China & world studies. Meanwhile, we have organized a series of events such as the Forum on China & World Studies, the Youth Forum on China & World Studies and Global Emerging Scholars Summit, edited and published Chinese Journal of Strategic Studies, and organized publication of many book series, which help establish the School's pivotal position in the strategic research field.

Fourth, colorful academic activities. We have organized high-end forums co-founded with Social Sciences in China Press, such as the Forum on China & World Studies, the Youth Forum on China & World Studies and the International Academic Week in Marxism, which have received extensive attention and positive responses from domestic academic circles. Besides, we have held seminars including Tongji Lectures on China & World, Tongji Serial Lectures on Social Sciences and Tongji Youth Workshop on Governance & Strategy, and invited leading scholars and young talents worldwide to share their views and wisdom. These lectures provide our students with a good channel for learning China and the world. The above academic activities have increased the influence of Tongji's liberal arts, strengthened the presence of the School, promoted the sense of honor of our teachers, and enhanced the sense of belonging of our students.

Fifth, the international footprints. The School has a sophisticated internationalization plan and ranks at the forefront of the university in terms of key indicators like international admissions. It is listed as one of the first ten schools under the 'Three All-Round Education' comprehensive reform pilot projects in Tongji University. Meanwhile, we have held Global Emerging Scholars Summit continuously, and co-founded the 'Belt & Road Initiative' Development Forum with the IDCPC, the China-Japan Strategic Dialogue for Young and Middle-Aged Scholars with the University of Tokyo, the China-Japan Economic Strategic Dialogue with the Canon Institute for Global Studies, and the Shanghai-Busan Cooperation Forum with Dongseo University, thus creating a platform for transnational academic communication and providing a medium for foreign scholars to learn about China objectively.

With 11 years of hard work, we have become an active and confident standard-bearer for the liberal arts of Tongji University. Used to be weak and marginal, we have now evolved into a self-motivated school with high-potential disciplines. We also coordinate theoverall first-class discipline development in social sciences of Tongji University. By holding the Frontier Forum on Social Sciences in China, the Tongji Serial Lectures on Social Sciences and other activities and organizing publication of 'Social Sciences Series of Tongji University', we have developed into a school featuring fast development, strong presence and high recognition.

With 11 years of hard work, we have become an icon in political science & international relations in Shanghai. Many of our teachers assume leading positions in related associations in Shanghai. The dissertations of our students are becoming the new standard in the discipline of political science. Our school has multiple winners of the Shanghai Philosophy and Social Science Outstanding Achievement Award. We are growing from a nobody into a rising star that cannot be ignored.

With 11 years of hard work, we have become the backbone in the field of political science in China. We have actively made connections with the political science community nationwide, and hired well-known experts to form an advisory committee on development of the political science discipline. And we have drawn wide attention and won high praise from the academic circle for our mainstream-based, distinctive and rapid development. Based on our brands in China and global governance studies, we have maintained a good reputation as one of the most active colleges in political science and international studies in the country.

These achievements cannot be separated from your strong support. 'With jade contained in rocks, a mountain will loom in radiance; with a pearl cast in water, a river will gleam with splendor.' I always believe that our alumni are the most valuable asset of the School and the most reliable and trustworthy force for its development. You have displayed demeanor and faith as a SPSIRer in your contributions to national construction and a harmonious society. In your loving care for the School's development, we have seen the lofty ambitions of 'serving the people and the world with one heart, on the same boat, and with the responsibility of rejuvenating the Chinese nation' on every member of the School. Looking into the future, I hope you can:

Keep your eyes on the stars and your feet on the ground. The university life must be an unforgettable experience for you all. During that period, the mentors or peers may have helped you find your way in life, trust the voice within and explore the true meaning of life. After entering the society, your companions may be more and may be fewer. No matter what, I hope you will aim high and stay true to the original intention. There is no shortcut to the realization of a dream. The only way is being down-to-earth and persistent. I hope you will devote wholeheartedly to the cause that you are passionate about and resist the temptation of temporary fame and fortune. I wish you all satisfaction and achievement from a successful career and lasting happiness from a peaceful heart.

Have a good heart and awe-inspiring spirit. I hope you will bear in mind what you've learnt at the School, to be candid with others and yourself, love your family and the country and be grateful to teachers for their hard work. We hope, all of you can have an open mind, broad vision and exploring spirit, and realize the value of life by contributing to the society.

Work together to go through thick and thin. To further strengthen the work of alumni, making activities of Alumni Association and Homecoming Day a routine, is the need of the School to both develop and serve the alumni. The establishment of the Alumni Association of the School aims to strengthen the identity of SPSIRer and create positive interaction between the alumni and the School. It offers an opportunity for us to rely on you and cheer for your achievements on the one hand, and an opportunity for you to work together with us and add luster to the School development on the other hand.

Today, the world is undergoing the greatest changes in a century; and the School is entering a new era of development. This is a period of strategic opportunity for us. It's highly anticipating that we can be mutually supportive to each other and forge ahead together. I believe that you will stand out in your own fields to add glory to the name card of SPSIRer and to the School. The School needs your help and support. Welcome you to come back home often and contribute to the future of the School by suggesting more on its development and devoting greater effort in the growth of the younger students.

'The extensive creation of material and spiritual wealth is called a great cause; and the continuous day-by-day innovation is called a great virtue.' The School of Political Science & International Relations was born in the rising age of China and flourished in the midst of changes. We insist on fostering virtue through education. In the bustling city, we hold fast to the pure land of our hearts and persevere in seeking innovation. In an era of change, we need to help and support each other. I hope the Alumni Forum of the School will become a platform for closer cooperation. We will do our best to provide support to strengthen the relations among alumni and between alumni and the School. We will persist in the goal of contributing to the great cause of the nation and promoting the great virtue of education. Let us make concerted efforts to add luster to the School development, write a glorious chapter for social progress, and contribute to the national prosperity and world peace!

At last, I wish this Alumni Forum prosperity! Wish you all a successful career and a happy, healthy family! Wish our School a promising future!

Thank you!