On the afternoon of March 27, the opening ceremony of the exhibition in honor of Tao Xingzhi, one of a series of tribute to “Great Scholar”, was held on NJU at Gulou. Zou Yajun, Vice President of NJU and Standing Member of CPC NJU Committee, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech. Huang Xianjin, Director of NJU Libraries, presided over the ceremony.

Zou pointed out that the exhibition is an active response to General-secretary Xi Jinping’s important letter to young NJU scholars who have returned from studying overseas. Tao Xingzhi himself was an outstanding model of young returned scholars dedicated to serving the country and its people. The exhibits here reflect his firm belief in saving the nation through education. Zou hoped that teachers and students at NJU will actively attend the exhibition to inherit and carry forward the spirit of Tao who “was committed to the welfare of the nation and to the unity of knowledge and action” and “put his heart and soul into his work and asked nothing in return”. It is vital that we combine our personal ideals with the Chinese Dream to make due contributions to the happiness of the people, the rejuvenation of the nation, and the progress of human civilization.

During the ceremony, Zhao Shuming, Distinguished Professor of Humanities and Social Sciences at NJU and Dean of Xingzhi College presented the certificate of “Special Advisor of Xingzhi College” to He Wenqiu, Secretary of the CPC Committee of Tao Xingzhi Research Institute and Head of Tao Xingzhi Memorial Hall. Zhao said that Tao, adhering to the spirit of “love, dedication, truth and innovation” through his whole life, took the rejuvenation of the nation as his mission and made great contribution to education in China. We should inherit his spirit and pass it on in our endeavors to build the “Unique NJU”. He pointed out that Tao’s four years as a student at NJU was critical to the formation of his worldview and values. Later as an educator himself, he put the idea of “education with warmth” into practice, which accelerated the reform and development of Chinese education. SunYuhan, Student Reprehensive from Xingzhi College, said that he shall inherit Tao’s spirit to become a warm, high-minded and responsible member of NJU.

After the ceremony, all attendees as well as directors from the College of First-Year Students, NJU Libraries and the School of Education, and faculty and student representatives from Xingzhi College visited the exhibition together.  

This exhibition is jointly held by NJU Libraries, Xingzhi College and the School of Education. It is part of a series of exhibitions in honor of seven “Great Scholars” who worked or studied at NJU, namely Guo Bingwen, Tao Xingzhi, Wu Youxun, Dai Anbang, Gu Yuxiu, Cheng Kaijia and Wu Jianxiong. Through precious relics, photos, documents and recordings, this exhibition presents a comprehensive and vivid picture of Tao Xingzhi to viewers. It aims to encourage young teachers and students to uphold their patriotism, develop good morals in their daily lives, and take the lead in enhancing cultural confidence and telling Chinese stories.

Translator: Zhu Yuntao

Editors: Chen Xing, He Yao