Since the 19th Communist Party of China (CPC) National Congress, Chinese President Xi Jinping has made a series of speeches highlighting the awareness and spirit of hard work, which brings the country''s personnel fostering system to a higher level. According to the guidelines from the CPC and the State Council, the cultivation of work skills should be an important part of the educational system with Chinese characteristics and it plays a key role in the whole-person development of all students.

To nurture active participators with comprehensive quality in the socialist cause, the School of Civil Engineering (SCE) acted in line with the guidelines by carrying out a series of activities to inspire students to engage in practical work with better-polished skills. The activities received awarm response from students.

1. Improve students’ awareness of work

To nurture the aesthetic sensibility about work, the management center of the SCE organized a calligraphy, painting and photography contest, encouraging students to leverage their creative and innovative ability to capture the beauty of working life. During the competition, many students actively participated in the contest and created multiple artistic works, illustrating their understanding of youth and contribution.

In addition to the competition, the management center also organized students to clean self-study rooms so that a cozy and comfortable studying environment is available. Participators experienced the hard work of cleaners and learned that everyone is responsible for a clean environment.

2. Develop students’ work skills by practicing

Students were organized to switch their roles of serving as security guards, canteen workers and cleaners. After that, they are expected to deeply respect every serviceperson and value the fruits of labor.

When fulfilling the duties, students wore masks and professional suits. They also made a contribution to the harmony and safety maintenance on campus when acting as security guards.

When they acted as canteen workers, after the disinfection part, they put on yellow aprons for canteen-related work including cleaning up and arranging tables and plates. Only through the practical engagement of the work can students deepen their understanding of canteen workers’ routines and their labor and contribution.

In the end, the students learned a lot from the activities. Not only did they have a deeper understanding of the hard-working spirit, but they deeply appreciated the fruits of people’s labor. They have reinforced their belief in hard work and respect for people from all walks of life.

3. Expand students’ work experiences

In addition to hands-on practice, some other forms of events were arranged for students, such as activities featuring national model workers like Shen Jilan and Yuan Longping in a bid to show respect for their working spirit and enhance students’ awareness of work in a relaxing way.

In the future, the SCE will continue to promote the spirit of hard work and hail it as a valuable quality. Activities honoring work will be diverse and carried out to train quality students who value and respect work, have dreams, abilities, and a strong sense of responsibility.