On the morning of March 28, the School of Humanities at Shenzhen University held its 2026 spring semester "Party Secretary’s Ideological Lesson" at the Nanshan District Archives. More than 40 teachers, student Party members, and student leaders participated in the immersive session, which combined a guided exhibition tour with a themed micro-forum to explore the spirit of Shenzhen’s Special Economic Zone and reflect on the mission of youth.

Attendees included Yi Ling, Party Secretary of the School of Humanities; Zhang Jiaping, Director of the Nanshan District Archives; Jian Ming, Director of the Nanshan Local History Office; Li Shizhuo, the School’s student affairs lead; and Ye Kang, Dean Assistant and Deputy Director of the History Department.

Part 1: Learning in the Archives

At the Nanshan Archives, participants immersed themselves in historical displays that traced the area’s evolution from an ancient settlement to the booming district of today. From the "first blast" of reform and opening-up to Nanshan’s rise as a trillion-yuan economic hub, archival materials showcased the perseverance and hard work of generations.

In the "Time Theater," images from different eras offered a tangible sense of history. Postgraduate Party member Huang Yi shared, "These photos and documents made me truly feel that Shenzhen’s progress was built step by step with the sweat and wisdom of its people. As young people, we should cherish the present and continue striving."

Part 2: Forum on the Spirit of Shenzhen and Youth Responsibility

Following the tour, a forum chaired by Hu Shihan, postgraduate Party branch secretary, delved into three key themes.

On the essence of the "Shenzhen spirit," Zhang Jiaping framed it through Nanshan’s five-decade journey from a rural border town to a global innovation hub. Yi Ling connected the university’s motto of "self-reliance, self-discipline, self-strengthening" to the same pioneering ethos, illustrating how Shenzhen University has grown within the spirit of the Special Economic Zone.

On shouldering responsibility in changing times, Jian Ming drew from his cross-sector experience to emphasize the courage to "break new ground." Li Shizhuo encouraged students to move from anxiety to action through real-world research, while Ye Kang highlighted the irreplaceable value of humanistic insight and collaborative creation in an age of rapid technological change.

On career development for humanities students, Zhang Jiaping urged curiosity, persistence, and the ability to craft compelling narratives. Yi Ling outlined four key competencies: deep thinking, critical spirit, proactive action, and lifelong learning.

Part 3: Dialogue and Inspiration

During the interactive session, students engaged actively. Fourth-year student Party member Chen Jiayi asked how to cultivate courage and resilience. Zhang Jiaping emphasized that recognizing the value of one’s work provides inner motivation. First-year student Chen Mingjian inquired about how the Shenzhen spirit manifests today. Jian Ming pointed to inspiring stories encountered in local history work and encouraged students to document the lives of ordinary strivers.

In closing, guests shared words of encouragement. Zhang Jiaping likened youth to the "morning sun," full of vitality; Yi Ling called for unceasing effort; Jian Ming urged students to broaden their horizons; Li Shizhuo highlighted the value of lifelong sports habits; and Ye Kang reminded all to uphold the university’s motto.

The event reflects the School of Humanities’ ongoing effort to deepen its "Knowledge in Action" educational model, integrating on-site learning with ideological development. Moving forward, the School will continue collaborating with local cultural and historical sites to build a broader educational ecosystem, empowering students to contribute to national development and write new chapters in the story of Shenzhen.