Xi Urges Sichuan University To Back China’s National Strategy

President Xi Jinping has told Sichuan University to use its strengths across the humanities, sciences, engineering and medicine to support China’s national strategy, according to a letter released on Tuesday.

Letter to Sichuan University

Xi’s remarks were issued in a congratulatory letter marking Sichuan University’s 130th anniversary.

The letter also responded to faculty members and students at the prominent public university in Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan province.

“I hope you will strive to play a pioneering role in supporting national strategies in the new era and contribute to China’s efforts to build itself into a strong country in education, science and technology, and talent,” Xi said in the letter, according to state-owned Xinhua News Agency.

Push for interdisciplinary role

The message comes as the central government is pushing academic institutions to break down traditional silos, embrace interdisciplinarity and support national development.

Beijing is looking to higher education institutions to help advance hi-tech development, placing universities within a broader effort to strengthen innovation capacity.

Xi’s emphasis on Sichuan University’s interdisciplinary strengths reflects that policy direction, with the university urged to contribute through the humanities, sciences, engineering and medicine.

Wider higher education reforms

His message comes as Beijing steps up efforts to position universities as central pillars of innovation.

In guidelines issued earlier this month on reforming China’s vast higher education system, Beijing urged institutions to develop distinct roles aligned with different national priorities.

The guidelines indicate that universities are being asked not only to expand academic work, but also to connect their missions more closely with national priorities.

Source: South China Morning Post