Chen Pingyuan Lectures on the History, Legends, and Spirit of Modern Chinese Universities

On the evening of March 18, 2025, Professor Chen Pingyuan, a senior professor of philosophy and social sciences at Peking University, Director of the Institute of Modern Chinese Studies at Henan University, and a member of the China Central Institute for Culture and History, gave the 480^th Lecture of the Luojia Forum at the Old Library, Wuhan University. His lecture was titled “The History, Legends, and Spirit of Modern Chinese Universities.”

Using time as a narrative thread, Professor Chen delved into six pivotal moments over the past 120 years that have shaped the development of Chinese universities. By tracing the historical development, legends, and spirit of Chinese higher education over the past century, he reflected on what he sees as the seventh critical juncture in Chinese university development. He shared three observations: first, universities should be “rooted in China,” developing together with the country’s political, economic, cultural, and intellectual progress; second, education should proceed at its own pace, with dignity and independence, following a path of its own choosing; and third, educators should maintain a deep connection to local culture, noting that local talent cultivation is crucial for the development of economically underdeveloped regions.