The UIC President's Talk was held at the campus on 28 February 2024. Prof Tang Tao, Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fellow of the European Academy of Sciences, Fellow of TWAS and UIC President, gave a lecture on liberal arts education to the students and staff. UIC Academic Registrar Prof Li Jianhui hosted the lecture.
Prof Tang Tao
Prof Li Jianhui
Prof Tang introduced the definition of liberal arts education from the perspectives of modern educational thinking, its development, and its adaptation in China. He said that although the notion originated from the West, the idea of human-centred education, which aims to develop human intellect and mind comprehensively and cultivate all-rounded talents, coincides with the traditional Confucian education ideology.
After reviewing the development of liberal arts education in China and the West, Prof Tang explained the requirements of liberal arts education further. He pointed out that liberal arts education advocates interdisciplinary and cross-field learning and explores the breadth and depth of knowledge; it enriches learning, improves cognition, and pursues the value and significance of a life of truth, goodness, and beauty; it emphasises undergraduate education; fourthly, it is student-centred, highlights teaching and learning while paying attention to the educational experience and exploration.
Prof Tang also mentioned UIC's management, academic construction, academic research, faculty, and programmes, as well as its fruitful achievements in exploring the journey of liberal arts education for students. During the Q&A session, students spoke enthusiastically and engaged in a heated discussion with Prof Tang on the development of the College, campus life, and other aspects.
From MPRO
Reporter: Cecilia Yu
Photographer: Li Bohan, Liu Yong
Editor: Deen He
