Distinguished Vice President Zheng Li, dear guests, fellow teachers and students,

Today, we gather here to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Xinya College, Tsinghua University.

First, I would like to express my gratitude to Xinya College for inviting me to witness this special moment and for giving me the opportunity to reunite with familiar faces.

For schools, teachers, and students, ten years is not a short period. However, for the field of education, ten years is not a long time, as the experience gained in these ten years is not sufficient for us to make an appropriate assessment of an educational undertaking. Therefore, what we should celebrate today might not be how many achievements we have made in the past decade, but rather the fact that over these ten years, we have developed good concepts, initiated strong beginnings, accumulated valuable experience, found clear directions, and, most importantly, nurtured outstanding students and welcomed an increasing number of capable teachers.

Thus, these ten years mark a period that makes Xinya College even more promising.

Based on my understanding and observation, unlike most other colleges and universities, Xinya College orientates its general education around the principle of "integrating liberal arts and sciences and combining general education and professional education". This is commendable and genuinely worthy of expectation.

Professional education has become the core task of university education, which is a phenomenon in modern education. Since the nineteenth century, some thinkers have expressed concerns and criticisms about this phenomenon. However, criticisms and reflections have not hindered or changed the strengthening of professional education in universities. This is because the division of labor in society is becoming increasingly complex and science and technology are becoming more specialized. These two factors mutually promote each other and drive the professionalization of education. This is an irreversible trend that emerges at a certain stage of human development.

It is rational for Xinya College to "combine general education and professional education". Under this orientation, general education is not meant to weaken or replace professional education, but rather to provide a broader foundation for it. At the same time, Xinya College attempts, with caution, to overcome the fundamental issue present in specialized education in universities, which is that individuals are often confined in their perspectives when they most need to broaden their thinking, and their life is often restricted at a time when they most need openness. This cautious and rational attitude distinguishes the general education at Xinya College, Tsinghua University from disguised quality-oriented education, generalized general education, and various forms of classical education, ensuring that general education maintains a modern theoretical aspect and a modern ideological height.

In terms of the integration of liberal arts and sciences, in addition to balancing courses from both categories, Xinya College places special emphasis on the curriculum related to "logic and rationality". This is particularly worth affirming because training in logic and rationality should be considered a fundamental part of general education. Logical thinking and rational abilities not only serve as a common foundation for both liberal arts and sciences but are also fundamental to the development of an excellent personality. An excellent personality encompasses at least two key traits:

The first trait is the ability to think in three dimensions—the ability to think from one's own perspective, to consider things from others' viewpoints, and to consistently maintain self-consistent thinking.

The second trait is the ability to make independent judgments and decisions. The ability to make independent judgments is a prerequisite for distinguishing right from wrong and good from evil; it is a condition for rejecting blind conformity and breaking free from mediocrity. The ability to make independent decisions, on the other hand, is the capacity for action based on one's judgment. This is an essential ability for initiating any endeavor, as it allows a person's insight, idea, courage, and adventurous spirit to manifest and materialize in reality.

Whether in making innovations and breakthroughs in professional fields or in serving as leaders in society beyond specialization, this excellent personality is needed. In this sense, the curriculum focusing on logic and rationality is fundamental for authentic general education.

This is my observation and understanding of Xinya College as a teacher. I'm glad to have the opportunity to share it with you today.

As a teacher who has been involved in teaching at Xinya College since its inception, I would also like to take this opportunity to thank my students: your exceptional questioning capabilities and reflective spirit make my classes challenging, full of anticipation, and joyous! In the context of both professional and general education, what could be more important than students' abilities to question and reflect? Nothing! This is also what makes Xinya College a place of great potential. Thank you!