The President of the Chinese Society of Education and former President of Beijing Normal University, Zhong Binglin, visited Sias University on May 11. He was accompanied by the Deputy Director of the Beijing Normal University Education Foundation, Fan Zhe.

The Founder and Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen, and Vice President, Wu Hua, accompanied Zhong Binglin and his delegation on a campus tour that included the Chinese Garden, London Street, the Sias Library, and other educational facilities.

Zhong Binglin and his delegation then had a meeting with the Sias leadership on the top floor of the Library. Dr. Shawn Chen was present for this meeting, as were the Sias Party Secretary, Ma Jiansheng, President, Chen Sikun, Executive President, Wang Jialin, Deputy Party Secretary, Li Huafeng, Vice President, Wu Hua, and Prof. Guo Junfeng.

After the delegation was shown the official Sias promotional video, Ma Jiansheng welcomed Zhong Binglin and thanked him for his continuing support and guidance provided to Sias University. He said that Sias had adhered to the educational policies of the Communist Party of China and focused on ideological work with regard to the running of the university, academic courses, and teaching. Using Xi Jinping's Socialist ideology with Chinese characteristics, Sias had implemented the directives issued at the National Education Congress and the Henan Education Congress with regard to academics, international exchanges, and cooperation, while nurturing students to contribute to the region and nation's economic and social development.

Zhong Binglin pointed out that the reform and development of private universities should include a broad vision. He said that they should look beyond just education and face all challenges and seize all opportunities for educational development, and the increase of high-quality educational resources. He also put forward a series of suggestions on how to develop a high-level university, how to nurture high-quality talent, how to build a high-quality team, and how to create a good campus culture. He also emphasized the importance of clarity with regard to a university's educational philosophy, its objectives, requirements for staff, the optimization of its curriculum, capacity-building potential, teaching reform, quality assurance, Youth League involvement, and academic freedom. He also spoke about the integration of tradition and modernity, and pluralism and openness, with a view to nurturing talent with a strong sense of social responsibility.

Chen Sikun thanked Zhong Binglin for his guidance and suggestions on the reform and development of higher education. He said that it was not only innovative but gave a clear picture of the development of private education in China and how to adapt to the development needs of a new era.

Dr. Shawn Chen thanked Zhong Binglin for his report and his guiding role in the development of Sias University and private education in China. He also spoke of its significance and value for teachers and staff at Sias.

Zhong Binglin had last visited Sias University on March 20, 2017.