On the afternoon of April 12, the "Principal Express – Shenzhen University 2026 Teacher Mock Interview Competition" was successfully held. A total of 129 outstanding submissions from nine schools were received, with 21 finalists from six schools advancing to the final round, which attracted over 200 students as on-site observers. Attendees included Chen Yunfei, Director of the SZU Student Affairs Office; Yi Ling, Party Secretary of the School of Humanities; and Li Shizhuo, student affairs lead of the School.
The competition is part of a series of annual events held from March to May, aiming to strengthen the professional skills of teacher-education students, align university training with basic education needs, and enhance graduate employment quality. After more than a decade of development, it has evolved from a school-level pilot into a university-wide brand event.
The judging panel featured distinguished educators, including Zhao Shen, Vice Principal of Longhua Senior High School Education Group; Wang Hui, Vice Principal of Qianhai Harbor School, Nanshan Experimental Education Group; Peng Ting, Vice Principal of Luohu Experimental School; and Lin Shuna, Vice Principal of Futian Nanyuan Primary School.
In her address, Yi Ling highlighted the consistent mission of the initiative over its 11-year history, emphasizing the school’s efforts to align with national strategies, market needs, and student development. The "Principal Express" series not only invites school principals and renowned teachers to campus but also aims to nurture future leaders in education.
Chen Yunfei noted that nearly 2,400 SZU graduates have entered the basic education sector in the past three years, contributing to regional educational development. He encouraged participants to approach the competition as a valuable opportunity to hone their teaching readiness and urged observers to learn from the experience.
The finals were divided into undergraduate and postgraduate categories, with candidates undergoing a five-minute structured mock interview based on randomly selected topics. Judges provided professional feedback tailored to each participant’s performance, offering practical advice on areas such as resume refinement, interview techniques, topic analysis, and educational ethos.
Nie Yue and Xu Xiaoxue from the School of Humanities won the top prizes in the undergraduate and postgraduate categories respectively. Other awards, including first, second, and third prizes, were presented to students from multiple schools.
By simulating real interview scenarios and incorporating expert evaluation, the competition effectively enhanced participants’ teaching competency and career readiness. Moving forward, the School of Humanities will continue to refine its practice-oriented training platforms under the guidance of the Student Affairs Office, supporting more aspiring teachers in realizing their professional goals and contributing to the development of basic education in Shenzhen.
