The School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University of China successfully carried out a three-week "Mingxin Young Visiting Scholars Program" from May 31 to June 18, 2021.
In mid-May, the School of Journalism and Communication (SJC) recruited 48 outstanding young scholars from journalism and communication academic circle across China. Nine young visiting scholars were chosen after the Selection Committee evaluated the content of the their research program as well as the closeness to the research direction of the faculty of SJC: Professor Yan Qing from Jinan University, Professor Chen Qiang from Xi'an Jiaotong University, Associate Professor Bian Donglei from Nanjing University, Zhou Ruiming, researcher of the "Hundred Talent Program" from Zhejiang University, Miao Weishan, associate researcher from Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Associate professor Liu Yingcui from Henan University, and three lecturers: Qian Jiayong, Jin Hengjiang and Mu Xiaxi, from Shanghai University, Chongqing University and Northwest University of Political Science and Law respectively.
Prof. Hu Baijing, Vice President of Renmin University of China, Prof. Zhou Yong, Executive Dean of School of Journalism and Communication, Prof. Zhang Huifeng, Secretary of Party Committee and Vice Dean, Prof. Wang Runze, Vice Dean, Prof. Li Biao, Vice Secretary, Prof. Yan Yan and Ms. Pan Wenjing had a simple farewell ceremony with the visiting scholars on June 17. Vice President Hu Baijing briefly reviewed the development history, characteristics and experience of SJC, and exchanged views with the visiting scholars on the openness and subjectivity of journalism and communication. He encouraged the young scholars to do research in the new era with their roots in China, and hoped that the visiting scholars would "come back often". Executive Dean Zhou Yong said that "Mingxin Young Visiting Scholars Program" could be a platform to expand more forms of exchange activities for young scholars and promote the construction of an academic community of young scholars in domestic academia of journalism and communication.
On the day of the program, Professor Zhou Yong, Professor Zhang Huifeng, Professor Wang Runze, Associate Professor Han Xiaoning, Professor Li Biao and Ms. Pan Wenjing attended the welcome ceremony for the visiting scholars. Dean Zhou Yong introduced the background and the original purpose of the "Mingxin Young Visiting Scholars Program", emphasized the importance of strengthening academic exchange among young scholars and also among journalism schools of different universities in the new era and new media background, and he also hoped that the visiting scholars could gain something from the academic and intellectual exchanges with the teachers and students during the three-week visit.
During the visit, the visiting scholars participated in a number of thematic academic seminars presented by teachers of SJC. Seventeen teachers, including Prof. Yang Baojun, Prof. Wang Runze, Prof. Peng Lan, Prof. Liu Hailong, Prof. Deng Shaogen, and young post-80s teachers: Prof. Li Biao, Prof. Huang He, Prof. Wang Bin, Associate Prof. Zhang Di and Associate Prof. Yan Yan, had in-depth exchanges with the visiting scholars on their respective research fields and fully discussed the current academic focus as well as frontiers.
At the same time, taking into account the professional background and research expertise of the visiting scholars themselves, SJC conducted nine "Academic Sharing for Top Talents" and "Mingxin Academic Salon" activities, during which they discussed cutting-edge topics in the field of journalism and communication, such as health communication, urban communication, computational communication and international communication from global and interdisciplinary perspective, as well as the innovative development of journalism in China and the construction of a theoretical system of public opinion with Chinese characteristics in the context of new media and Chinese practice. The scholars not only presented academic achievements but also exchanged teaching and research experiences, covering a wide range of topics in various forms. In addition, the classes and public space for journalism students were open to the visiting scholars during the visit period so that these young scholars could arrange their study routine according to their own needs.
Besides the daily academic discussion and study, SJC also arranged rich after-school activities, such as visiting the museum and history museum of Renmin University of China, participating in book clubs and going on excursions to demonstrate the culture of the university, the school and the city from different aspects, in order that they can maintain a relaxed and happy state of mind during the intense and full study life.
Through the three-week visit, the nine young visiting scholars gained a lot in academic ideas, course teaching and college exchange.
(Professor Yan Qing, School of Journalism and Communication of Jinan University)
It was a wonderful academic journey! As the saying goes, "If you advance 500 years of new ideas, you will feel them old again in the 1000th year". During the three-week intensive exchange and collision of ideas, it was refreshing to feel that research, confusion, teaching interaction, and discussion of ideas were similar to those in my student days. In this process, as a young college teacher who has been working for eight years, I vaguely feel that I have pushed down some fences in my heart and built up some firmness. I would like to thank the School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University for providing this platform and the teachers who have contributed to it. Their insight, enthusiasm and thoughtfulness are impressive.
(Professor Chen Qiang, School of Journalism and New Media of Xi’an Jiao Tong University)
Ten years ago, being a master’s student, I was selected for the “International Summer School on Frontiers of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University of China of 2011”. Ten years later, being a teacher of journalism and communication, I was selected as one of the nine members of the first Mingxin Young Visiting Scholars Program. Now this program is close to the end, the answer I was looking for on the day of the program become clearer and clearer. How could young scholars improve ourselves? The answer is: to have a big vision, to be persistent, to be innovative, to be good at expressing themselves, to be brave enough to step out of their comfort zone. How could journalism and communication schools develop? The answer is: to have a global vision, to form Chinese style, to develop inclusively, to have the spirit of community. How to develop the discipline of journalism and communication? The answer is: to do something and meanwhile not to do something, to deepen the construction of academic community, to be good at "going out and bringing in".
(Associate Professor Bian Donglei, School of Journalism and Communication of Nanjing University)
For me, it was a very important experience to have a three-week "pause" at the end of my youth to reflect on myself academically. Walking around the campus of Renmin University, interacting with so many famous teachers in SJC and visiting scholars, all of these moments will become my precious memories.
(Zhou Ruiming, Researcher of "Hundred Talents Program" of School of Media and International Culture, Zhejiang University)
At a time when the impact of the pandemic cannot be ignored and long-term academic exchanges at home and abroad have not yet resumed, the School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University has organized such a long-term exchange program for young Chinese scholars, which is pioneering and opens a unique window for us young scholars to interact with each other and to improve academic capacity.
In my opinion, the core of this visit program is to treat each other with sincerity. The school invited some of its teachers to talk with the visiting scholars about their research, opened up accessible seminar space and course resources to the best of their ability, and provided an opportunity for each of us visiting scholars to share our recent research progress and achievements. To be honest, the humility and openness of the leaders as well as teachers and students of SJC are a good reminder for me to improve my research and optimize my teaching skills.
(Miao Weishan, Associate Researcher of Institute of Journalism and Communication, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences)
When I was a doctoral student in Tsinghua University, I often came to the School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University to listen to lectures. At that time, as a student, I never thought that I would come to Renmin University as a visiting scholar one day to communicate and interact with the teachers I admired. This is really a wonderful destiny in life! I would like to thank the faculty and all of you for your careful preparation, arrangement and reception, which left me so many wonderful memories here. It has been a short three weeks’ stay, but also a full, enthusiastic and happy one where we have gained knowledge and precious friendships. Our friendship is everlasting as green mountains and blue flowing waters, and I look forward to seeing you again!
(Associate professor Liu Yingcui, School of Journalism and Communication, Henan University)
The three-week study tour was not long, but it was enough to broaden my horizons and increase my knowledge. Here, I not only received the academic guidance from these excellent teachers, but also met a group of young teachers who are running in the forefront of journalism and communication academics, and gained a lot. In addition to that, I feel the beauty and happiness of academic research through the inspiration of these teachers, at the same time I’m deeply attracted by an academic atmosphere around here, which is so quiet and simple.
(Qian Jiayong, lecturer of School of Journalism and Communication, Shanghai University)
During my visit, I benefited a lot from the academic exchanges with teachers here and other young scholars. I admire the broad vision and rigorousness of the teachers of School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University in journalism and communication research, and I was also impressed by the depth of reading and thinking shown by the students here. This is a very inspiring experience for my personal research and teaching.
(Jin Hengjiang, lecturer of School of Journalism, Chongqing University)
During the visit, I have gained a lot and felt a lot. First of all, when I first came to the School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University, I really felt the inclusiveness, advancement and generousness of this top school. The overall atmosphere of the school is strong and full of warmth, and the academic culture of it is upright, rigorous and with social care. Secondly, I was inspired and moved by the academic seminars with all of the scholars during my visit. The serious attitude towards academics has enabled them to stand out in the international arena. I am appreciative of and moved by the early summer encounter in SJC of Renmin University, which would encourage me to be myself and stick with my original purpose to move forward firmly.
(Mu Xiaxi, lecturer of School of Journalism and Communication, Northwest University of Political Science and Law)
As a teacher of a university in the western region, I am overwhelmed with excitement to participate in this program, and I especially cherish this opportunity to study. Thanks to this platform provided by Renmin University, I am fortunate to feel the effect of the academic research on such a top stage and to feel the charm of diverse research fields through the exchange with excellent peers from different universities, which is very beneficial. I am also lucky to be able to improve my academic level and broaden my horizon through the lectures of professors here. By finding the gaps and strengthening the weakness, and then comparing with others to catch up, the direction I’m ahead for become clearer, and I will absorb what I’ve learnt and transform it into the motivation to improve my ability. I’m grateful to Renmin University and the School of Journalism and Communication.
The "Mingxin Young Visiting Scholars Program" makes full use of the resources of the School of Journalism and Communication of Renmin University of China, provides a good academic exchange and communication platform for young scholars nationwide, and makes an attempt as well as effort to enhance the construction of journalism and communication disciplines, promote the flow of talents among universities nationwide, and build an academic community of journalism and communication.
Photo: Gao Linxuan
Editor: Jiang Jian
Instructor: Sun Quan, Li Biao, Wu Yixiang
Translator: Huang Jing
Proofreader:Yuan Jiayi
