The golden autumn breeze ushers in a festive occasion, while the fragrance of peaches and plums evokes memories of our original aspirations. On the afternoon of September 10, Sias convened the Celebration for the 41st Teachers' Day and Honorary Commendation Ceremony at the Opera House Teaching Theater. Dr. Shawn Chen, Founder and Chairman of Sias University, Ma Jiansheng, Secretary of the CPC Sias Committee, Wu Hua, Executive Vice President, Vice Presidents Zhao Yuxin and Yuan Guanglin, along with all faculty and staff, gathered together. The event focused on the development of private education, Sias's construction achievements, and particularly highlighted the direction of higher education reform in the AI era. It clarified the Sias's "AI + X" development strategy and fostered a consensus on leveraging educational innovation to contribute to the building of a strong education nation. The ceremony was hosted by Wu Hua.
At the meeting, Dr. Chen delivered a special report titled "Co-creating AI: Reshaping the Future of Undergraduate Education," combining current hot topics in the education sector with Sias's actual development. The report outlined the direction for the university's educational development from dimensions such as the global development trend of AI, the global development trend of higher education, China's higher education AI practices, and the next steps for Sias. By analyzing the cognitive challenges in the development of private education, he emphasized that "quality, characteristics, and advantages" are the core keys to breaking biases and establishing a brand. The report pointed out that the university still needs further integration in cross-disciplinary construction and AI major layout, and that future actions should accelerate with the core goal of cultivating students' AI thinking and cross-disciplinary abilities.
Regarding the implementation path of the AI-empowered educational concept, Dr. Chen clarified the transition direction from "knowledge transmission" to "ability cultivation." He noted that while China's higher education has received policy, funding, and standard support from the government in AI practices, it still faces some practical challenges. In response, Sias has taken the lead in launching a series of measures, such as involving all staff in AI-related projects and organizing AI experience projects for family members in October. Going forward, Sias will also refine the "AI + X" implementation plan, encourage teachers to participate in AI teaching innovation competitions, focus on the accelerating effect of "AI + X," explore interactive and project-based new teaching models, and promote a shift in education from "memory-oriented" to "problem-solving-oriented," further strengthening students' critical thinking, creative thinking, and lifelong learning abilities.
The speeches by teacher and student representatives became warm and powerful chapters of the ceremony. Teacher representative Li Huan shared her understanding of the "spirit of educators" based on her teaching practice and expressed her determination to uphold the original aspiration of nurturing talents and innovate teaching methods amid the AI wave. Student representative Li Rui, in sincere language, recalled moments of interaction with teachers, expressed gratitude for their guidance in academics and companionship in growth, and pledged to embrace the AI era with a positive attitude and carry forward the striving spirit of Sias students.
Subsequently, all attendees watched a special "Teachers' Day Greetings" video produced by the CPC Sias Publicity Department. Using AI technology, the video created a dialogue channel across time, allowing teachers in the footage to have a heartwarming reunion with their younger selves. Through memories and conversations, they reconnected with their passion and commitment to the education cause, creating a warm and touching atmosphere on site.
During the honorary commendation session, a total of 19 honors were awarded in five batches, covering areas such as teaching achievements, scientific research innovation, discipline construction, and service management, demonstrating Sias's recognition and encouragement of the comprehensive abilities of its faculty and staff. Yuan Guanglin presented the Excellent Achievement Award in the Digital Transformation of Higher Education in Henan Province to five individuals, including Chu Jinjin, and the First Prize in the 2024 Teaching Skills Competition of the Henan Provincial Education System to three individuals, including Song Xiaoqin. Zhao Yuxin awarded the First Prize in the 2024 Provincial School Ideological and Political Theory Course Teaching Skills "Grand Competition" to three individuals, including Jin Chaonan, and the Bronze Medal in the National Final of the 14th "Challenge Cup" China College Students' Business Plan Competition to five individuals, including Yin Changtao. Wu Hua presented the First Prize in the Henan Provincial Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project to Liu Wentao and five honors, including the 2025 Henan Provincial "AI + Higher Education" Typical Application Scenario Case, to units such as the Information Construction and Management Department. Ma Jiansheng awarded honors to projects and individuals such as the "An Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on the Rule of Law" by the School of Law.
At the end of the commendation ceremony, Chen Xiaochun presented awards to ten representatives of teachers who have been teaching for 20 years, including Wang Guilan, and five representatives of retired faculty and staff in 2025, including Liu Ruolei. This segment not only expressed respect for the selfless dedication of teachers over decades but also upheld Sias's fine tradition of respecting teachers and valuing education, inspiring young teachers to take old teachers as role models, nurture students' growth with love, patience, and responsibility, and jointly safeguard Sias's original aspiration and mission of education.
After the commendation ceremony, Ma Jiansheng delivered a concluding speech, extending festival greetings to all faculty and staff and congratulating the awardees. He reviewed Sias's remarkable achievements over the past year in areas such as the undergraduate teaching work qualification assessment, exploration of the "AI + X" educational teaching model, approval of scientific research projects, and construction of provincial-level scientific research platforms. He also outlined key work directions for the new semester, including strengthening Party building, formulating the "15th Five-Year Plan," promoting the application for master's degree programs, deepening teaching reform, optimizing personnel and institutional reforms, expanding international exchanges, advancing digitalization efforts, strengthening industry-education integration and dual-college collaboration, and fortifying safety defenses. In line with the theme of Teachers' Day, Ma Jiansheng put forward three requirements for all teachers: first, cultivate noble professional ethics and become "great masters" who guide students in learning, conduct, and character; second, diligently improve teaching skills and become "vanguards" of educational reform and innovation; third, focus on scientific research innovation and become "contributors" to local development.
As a new semester and a new journey begin, all faculty and staff will approach their work with greater enthusiasm and a solid work ethic, striving to compose a magnificent new chapter in the university's high-quality development and contributing Sias's strength to the building of a strong education nation.
