The Decline of Wuhan University and the Glory of Xiamen University

This is written by my undergraduate classmates. He passed N rounds of interviews and got a job in Xiamen. After Wu Da, I met Xiamen University. I think he still has some say in this title. He has deep feelings for Wu Da, hoping to be a cow sleeping on horseback and contribute to the rise of Wu Da.

Text:

Wuhan University and Xiamen University have something in common in many places, for example, they both have the most beautiful campuses in China, for example, they are both universities with comprehensive arts and sciences, for example, they are both located in second-tier cities, for example, many people eat crabs and so on. Moreover, the flow of teachers has also made the two universities have a close relationship. Most importantly, the news that Xiamen University embezzled the first teacher of Wuhan University, Zhao Lin, broke not long ago. One of them is so trustworthy that the students are so admired. I don't know, but there must be a reason. Wu Da is my alma mater, where I lived for four years. I often go to Xiamen University because of my friends. I have been to Xiamen University several times and I am amazed at many management practices of Xiamen University. Let me give you a few examples that I know.

1. canteen

Food is the most important thing for people! Let's talk about the canteen first. There are five canteens in the headquarters of Xiamen University with different tastes, including self-help, set meals, snacks and stir-fried dishes, which are supplied by Lamian Noodles. It can be said that flavors from all over the country can be found here. Walking into the dining hall of Xiamen University, the most eye-catching feeling is cleanliness and neatness. The people who came to eat were refreshed and their appetite increased greatly. Not only is the dining table clean, but the chef who cooks is also the face of Furong (clear water is Furong, not Sister Furong's Furong), wearing white clothes. People have great confidence in the hygiene of food. The taste of food is also two words: exquisite. I've never heard of whispers in meals. Moreover, the canteen here has a floor dedicated to ethnic minorities, which is very considerate. I have eaten here several times, which makes me envious.

Some people commented that Meiyuan, the canteen of Wuda University, is low in cost performance and unreasonably expensive. There is little food in Guiyuan except the occasional gravel. The second floor of the canteen in Wu Ce is ok, although it is expensive, but the cost performance is not low. The canteen on the first floor of Wuce hasn't changed its variety all year round. The masters of ethnic canteens are tough, and the autumn frost in Leng Yan is no less than that of the "extinct teacher", which has repeatedly been besieged by the world. Lake doctors don't know much about it. I'm ashamed.

dormitory

The dormitory of Xiamen University is estimated to be the envy of college students all over the country. The number of boarders is 4. 2. 1 (4 undergraduates, 2 postgraduates and doctoral students 1 person), the dorms are all air-conditioned (which makes me puzzled. In fact, the climate in Xiamen is very suitable, unlike Wuhan. Free water supply is available on every floor. Students can get hot water for free. Each floor has a bathhouse with a water heater, which can be used by credit card. Most of Wu Da's dormitories are in 6. 4.2 Formation (6 undergraduates, 4 postgraduates and 2 doctoral students). Although the weather in Wuhan is extremely cold in winter and it is fortunate to be one of the three stoves in summer, air conditioning is unimaginable. Only libraries and individual classrooms have air conditioning, so when the weather is extremely cold or hot, students are very eager to learn, and libraries are always overcrowded. Everyone takes books to the library for self-study, but students who want to read in the library are not allowed to enter. Of course, although Wuhan University does not have hot water bathhouses on every floor, there is still one in every campus, and you can often see dragon dancing scenes in winter. Because there is only one hot water supply place, many students buy their own water heaters and boil water in winter. Too much power violates school rules, and school security guards often catch mice like cats.

3. Toilet

Nowadays, the details of fashion determine success or failure, and many leaders like to inspect toilets when they visit cities. Let's make a comparison. The toilets in the teaching building of Xiamen University (all discussed here are men's toilets) are inductive, advanced and sanitary. There is nothing to say. What needs to be said is that the toilets on the whole campus are of the same grade. Is it because of democratic consciousness? Or is it because of the money? The quality of toilets in Wuhan University varies from building to building, and the best ones are the administration building (the principal's office area) and the Shaw Building. Other teaching buildings are relatively poor and the sanitary conditions are acceptable.

4. Swimming pool

Wu San Campus (formerly Wu Ce) has a swimming pool, and the hourly fee is 8 yuan. Except for the occasional financial loss in the bathhouse, other conditions are acceptable. At school, I made up my mind to learn swimming, but it backfired. The swimming pool had an accident and took a classmate away, and then it was closed. Then it opened again.

Many buildings in Xiamen University are the glory of alumni, and the swimming pool is no exception. It was built with the donation of an alumnus named Wang Qingming, so it was named "Qingming Swimming Pool" and became the largest swimming pool in Fujian Province. No matter indoors or outdoors, the conditions are extremely superior. As long as they are teachers and students at school, they can visit at any time with health certificates.

5. Library

It must be mentioned that the library is one of the symbols of the university. As far as the biggest function of the library is concerned, both of them are rich. But as far as the service function of the library is concerned, the library of Wuhan University is quite inferior. Xiamen University Library is a place that Wuhan university students have to sigh. In terms of borrowing books, a library card of Xiamen University can borrow up to 40 books for up to three months. Interlibrary loan is also very good. Books from other libraries will be notified to you within a few days after registration. In reading, the books in the library of Xiamen University can be read conveniently, because both the reading room and the circulation room are read by half bookshelf and half desk. Moreover, the arrangement of desks is extremely interesting, and they are scattered folding compartments, and bookshelves are scattered in them, so students do not affect each other when reading. This should mainly benefit from the relative opening of the library.

In addition, I would like to mention in detail that the library of Xiamen University supplies pure water for free. I know that students who are hungry for books will be hungry.

The above are some intuitive impressions of the external performance of the two schools, and the feelings are quite different. I'm afraid it's not the details behind these appearances This is a systematic management project, and it is also a concrete embodiment of a school's attitude towards students and school-running philosophy. Whether the service for teachers and students is in place reflects the respect and seriousness of the proofreader and shows his attitude and contribution to teaching and scientific research.

Xiamen University's student-oriented thought is particularly prominent in all its actions. If you want to write this article profoundly, you can do in-depth research from the aspects of teaching staff, attracting investment, and the students' achievements. But limited by space and time, I will stop here. Here, as a graduate of Wuhan University, I want to say a few more words. The core of a university is teaching and scientific research. The external strength of both is its students and teachers. The former cultivates a nation's hope for the future. The latter provides support for a country today ... but the biggest driving force behind this is the university president. The headmaster is like the commander of the school, just like the army. His influence on school development is quite great, especially under the administrative-led education management system in China. For example, the old headmaster of Liu Daoyu in the 1980s was a headmaster who made the defeated Wu Da brilliant for a while, and helped Wu Da regain its former glory and self-confidence. That is a headmaster whose educational philosophy is beyond the times, a headmaster with great personality and dignity, and a headmaster who belongs to students. It's a pity that I didn't have the opportunity to experience that era, but this book deeply touched me (strongly recommended to students at school here) and let me see the great charm of a scholar-type principal. Some practices of eating crabs introduced in 1980s have benefited Wuhan University so far. What the principal may think most about now is how to apply for two more doctoral programs, how to grab more projects and how to build two more big projects.

I have never met the president of Xiamen University in person, but I don't think this will prevent me from getting to know him. Let's take a look at the interview with the president of Xiamen University and learn about the school-running philosophy of this simple-minded president.

China Business News: You suggested that colleges and universities should cultivate social elites. Does this go against the direction of civilian higher education?

Zhu Chongshi: In the popularization stage of higher education, we should admit that the goal of talent training is mainly to meet the market demand, which is also a great progress of society. However, we should pay attention to the other side of higher education, which is to cultivate social elites. Social elites have a characteristic that they put social interests above personal interests and long-term interests above immediate interests. He has a very high and good personal quality, can unite people around him to struggle together, has a strong sense of innovation and innovation ability, and can stand in the forefront of the times and society. The ideals and pursuits of these people are no longer simply to meet the needs of the market, but have higher goals and pursuits, so cultivating social elites is a very important issue that needs attention in the popularization stage of higher education. If there are no schools in this society that aim at cultivating elite talents, this society will be terrible. What kind of education is elite education? My ideal is that we should cultivate a group of people who not only design their own life goals according to market demand, but also pursue and dream beyond reality and have the ability to lead the society. They value social interests above personal interests, long-term interests above immediate interests, have a strong sense of innovation and ability, and are willing to work hard to realize their ideals.

I often wonder why some of our students now take the pursuit of money and "what society can give me" as their primary consideration, rather than "what I can give society" as their pursuit. Therefore, in my opinion, if higher education simply aims at meeting the market demand, then this society is dangerous. China should have a number of first-class universities to cultivate elites needed by society. If the first-class universities can't do this, then by the time we realize this problem, several generations or even generations may have been delayed.

I remember that one issue of Wu Da School Newspaper published the school-running philosophy of President Wu Da. I don't remember the specific words, but I remember the general idea clearly. A good university provides a group of politicians, strategists and scientists for the society. . . . . . Universities seem to provide a bunch of "homes" for society. I don't know the difference between a university and a skill training college. I don't know if this is the result or purpose of the university. . . . . . )

I remember when I was about to graduate, I listened to the successful experience of Liu Jingnan, president of Wuhan University, in a classroom. When I heard a lot, such as the wisdom of ancient saints, such as believing in yourself and moving forward ... I was impressed, I asked a somewhat sharp question: Mr. President just told me many examples of going forward, which encouraged me. It is important to advance, and it is also important to retreat. He who knows others is wise, and he who knows himself is wise. It is very important for a person to accurately grasp himself and know how to advance and retreat. For example, I think Ma Su of the Three Kingdoms was not defeated by a street kiosk, but because he knew everything (believed Zhuge Liang's vision), but he was not handsome. If you are a unified army, you will lose your life. Another example is President Liu Daoyu, who resigned as Minister of Education and chose the principal, thus laying an extraordinary career. That's how he understood it.

He is an official because of his bad character. If he is an official, he will undoubtedly be shorter than his time as a principal. So, President Liu, how did you choose to go from the laboratory to the principal's office? Why did you choose not to come back? Why do you think you can be a good headmaster? At that time, I was quite disappointed with President Liu's reply, and I can't remember the specific reply. But the main idea is that being a principal is a challenge, and I like challenges. After listening to the reply, I left immediately in order to show my attitude politely.

The enterprising character is really admirable, but why can't this climbing spirit be in the academic field that you are familiar with? There are countless challenges in the scientific community. If Liu Xiang wants to be a national Sports director because he likes challenges, we have to wonder about the motives behind such challenges.

A headmaster who looks up at the sky and thinks down is building a school that is really student-oriented. This is Xiamen University. A president who likes "challenge" and pragmatism is reminding students of the once glorious school, that is, Wuhan University.