Sias University held a Student Work Conference, beginning on August 17, organized by the Student Affairs Office and the General Office of the Residential Colleges. The goal of the conference was to improve the professional level of those who work with students in the university and give them clear objectives and tasks for the development of the university's education. Sias Deputy Party Secretary, Li Huafeng, and Vice President, Xu Shengdao, attended the meeting. Leaders from the Communist Party Office, the Student Affairs Office, and the General Office of the Residential Colleges were also present. The Deputy Director of the Student Affairs Office, and Executive Vice President of the General Office of the Residential Colleges, Bai Meng, presided over the conference.

The Education Tutor of Huanyu Residential College, Zhang Huasheng, shared a story, while the Education Tutor of Mingli Residential College, Zhang Ju, led those in attendance in an oath. The Executive Director of the General Office of the Residential Colleges, Lu Xuwei, introduced the schedule and arrangements of the conference.

The Founder and Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen, delivered a mobilization speech through a pre-recorded video. He said that the conference was very important, and put forward 4 requirements:

- First, the job of classification and personalized service for students should be done well;

- Second, the work of residential colleges should be sorted out to achieve results at a higher level;

- Third, students should be provided with practical lectures that give guidance to improve the effectiveness of the education they receive;

- Fourth, tutors should pay more attention to the students to nurture their behavior through education.

Li Huafeng delivered the first key work deployment of the Communist Party and Communist Youth League for the 2020/21 academic year. He presented an analysis of how to run ideological and political work with regard to student management from 3 aspects: how to perceive things, how to learn, and how to apply what is learned.

- First, the Communist Party's educational policy should be correctly understood along with the mission and fundamentals of China's higher education;

- Second, the theory of establishing a value-based orientation of student-centered education should be learned, educational concepts around the world should be learned, domestic conditions should be considered, and the guidance of the Party must be followed;

- Third, tutors should be willing to devote themselves to the ideals of education, strive to be cultured and refined academics, work towards mastering modern information technology, and become trusted mentors of students.

Xu Shengdao delivered the next key work deployment for students for the 2020/21 academic year and elaborated on the rudiments of the residential college system at Sias. He asked that all those working with students focus on their goals, and contribute to the development of the university. He also spoke on four topics:

- how to clearly understand the current complexities and changing situations both domestically and internationally;

- how to adapt to the changes in education and implement them in Sias' residential college system;

- how to realize the professional development of educational tutors in the residential college system;

- the role of educational tutors in helping students with the postgraduate entrance examination, and the CET-4 and CET-6 examinations.

The Director of the Office of International Affairs, Yue Junliang, spoke about international exchanges and study-abroad programs. He spoke about undergraduate study programs, graduate programs, and overseas study programs for Sias teachers. He also introduced the platforms and resources for teachers and students to study abroad.

Bai Meng introduced the key work of the Academic Affairs Office and the General Office of the Residential Colleges for the 2020/21 academic year. She said that they had made progress in 3 areas - the work for residential colleges, leading the tutors, and education for students. They had set up new tutor teams, improved the passing rate for the CET-4 examination and the postgraduate entrance examination, had improved mental health education, innovated in the setting up of student associations, improved the apartment and dormitory management, and assisted students with financial aid. She said that she hoped that all the workers involved with students would continue on the positive trajectory and improve the effectiveness of the education in the residential colleges.

The Deputy Director of the Office of Ideological & Political Work Training Center at Zhengzhou University, Nie Na, presented a special report on the exploration and practice of the improvement of college counselors. From both macro and micro aspects, she described the qualities and abilities of counselors, their professional contributions, student affairs management, ideological and political education, crisis management, and challenges faced in a new era.

Later, special training sessions were held on clean governance by Wang Pei from the Supervision & Audit Department, and grid management in fire protection by Bian Liang from the Security Office.

The 2020 Summer Student-Work Conference is scheduled for 3 days. The conference will have training sessions that are focused on the specific requirements for leaders at various levels, but will also hold a forum for all departments and residential colleges to share their experiences. There will also be special presentations by experts and scholars from outside Sias. A variety of team activities are also scheduled to improve the theoretical quality and practical skills of the students, build a platform for mutual exchange and learning, create an atmosphere of cohesion among staff, and promote the quality and efficiency of student management at Sias.