On the afternoon of April 24, Sias University invited Professor Liu Yufang, former Vice President of Henan Normal University, to deliver a special lecture titled “Discipline and Degree Program Development in Local Universities under the Context of Master’s Degree Authorization.” The event was hosted by Vice President Yuan Guanglin and attended by all mid-level administrators.

Focusing on the national agenda for high-quality higher education development and the realities of local universities, Professor Liu analyzed the opportunities and challenges in advancing degree program development. Drawing on her extensive experience in discipline construction and graduate program management, she provided an in-depth discussion across multiple dimensions, including educational reform, discipline development, scientific research, academic exchange, the refinement of research directions, and graduate education. She systematically outlined key pathways and implementation strategies for degree program development, offering practical guidance for Sias University’s efforts to obtain master’s degree–granting status.

In his remarks, Yuan Guanglin expressed sincere appreciation for Professor Liu’s insightful presentation. He noted that the lecture was forward-looking, practical, and highly relevant, providing valuable reference for advancing the university’s discipline development and degree program application. He emphasized that all departments and academic units should carefully study and apply the insights from the lecture, align efforts with the university’s development goals, and focus on enhancing discipline strength. With a clear target of achieving master’s degree authorization by 2029, he called for strengthened accountability, targeted improvements, and coordinated efforts to ensure tangible progress in this strategic initiative.