— 2025 New Year Message from Shenzhen Polytechnic University

By Party Secretary Yang Xinbin and President Xu Jianling

As the new year begins, we embark on a new journey. On this occasion, we extend our heartfelt New Year blessings and sincere gratitude to all faculty, staff, retirees, alumni at home and abroad, and friends from all walks of life who have supported the development of our university.

Over the past year, we have cultivated deeply and pursued breakthroughs, striving to deliver high-quality vocational undergraduate education. Facing challenges and dreams alike, we have undergone transformative changes. Like explorers climbing peaks and navigating uncharted waters, every step forward has been illuminated by the light of perseverance.

A Year of Progress: Establishing a New Model for Vocational Education Party Building and Ideological Work. This year, we set a new benchmark in Party building and ideological work for vocational education. Representing vocational colleges and Guangdong Province, SZPT was the sole participant to deliver a speech at the 28th National Conference on Party Building in Higher Education Institutions. We successfully passed the evaluation for the "National Model Vocational College for Party Building" initiative. Two faculty Party branches were recognized under the "Double Leaders Program" for national-level excellence. Our "one-stop" student community model received commendation and promotion from education authorities. The ongoing reform of ideological and political education has shaped the distinctive "Field Studies" course series, earning the National Grand Prize in the "Freshman Training & Faculty Excellence" contest for ideological and political courses in higher vocational institutions.

A Year of Achievement: Reaching New Heights in High-Skilled Talent Training.SZPT achieved remarkable milestones in high-skilled talent training. We were approved for 12 national-level online boutique courses, ranking first nationwide. The university was named a "National Quality Digital Resource Provider" for 2024. We won 9 gold and 10 silver medals in the World Vocational College Skills Competition Finals and 3 gold and 2 silver medals in the China International College Students' Innovation Contest, ranking among the top nationwide. We successfully completed the first phase of the "Double High Plan," passing the final evaluation. We also gained approval as a bachelor's degree-granting institution after the provincial degree evaluation. Our invitation to appear on CCTV’sLecture Room marked the first time a vocational college highlighted high-skilled talent training, garnering widespread attention.

A Year of Breakthroughs: Advancing Application-Oriented Research and Innovation.The university made significant progress in applied research and innovation. We were approved for 276 projects, including 15 from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, 1 from the National Social Science Fund, and 4 provincial or ministerial research platform projects. Research funding reached 234 million yuan, with enterprise cooperation funding exceeding 100 million yuan for the first time. Fourteen new university-enterprise joint research centers were established, and 658 academic papers were published. Notably, China’s first vocational education international journal,Vocational, Technical, and Education (English), was successfully launched.

A Year of Strengthening Foundations: Pioneering Faculty Development.SZPT achieved new breakthroughs in faculty development, adding one recipient of the National Outstanding Young Scientist Fund and one recipient of the State Council Special Allowance. We gained three new "Guangdong Special Support Plan" teaching masters and several provincial-level teaching and skills masters. The university recruited 165 doctoral-level teachers and promoted 98 to senior titles, making significant progress in national-level talent recruitment.

A Year of Milestones: Advancing Infrastructure Projects.Major infrastructure projects advanced significantly. The Shenzhen-Shenshan Campus was officially inaugurated, entering substantial construction. The Xiangmi Campus began operations, accommodating nearly 2,000 undergraduate and associate degree students. Strategic cooperation agreements were signed with the Shenzhen-Shenshan Special Cooperation Zone and Futian District governments. Eight new industry-education integration communities were established with leading enterprises, alongside the launch of the School of Innovation and Creative Design and the School of Integrated Circuits.

A Year of Responsibility: Contributing to Regional Development and Support.SZPT played a vital role in regional development and assistance, deeply participating in the "Double Hundred Initiative" to support counties such as Huidong. We contributed to building bamboo industry parks, full-chain lychee demonstration bases, and modern tea production demonstration parks. Focused on fostering industrial growth, four of our initiatives were promoted province-wide under the "Hundreds-Thousands-Tens of Thousands" Project. We also supported 13 institutions and four regions in central and western China in advancing vocational education quality.

A Year of Confidence: Demonstrating Global Partnerships and Openness.SZPT enhanced its international presence, actively participating in the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Conference and joining the World Vocational and Technical Education Development Alliance. Our involvement in the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Vocational Education Park advanced collaboration across the region. The UNESCO Chair for Digitalization in Vocational and Technical Education gained prominence, with five major research outcomes released at the 2024 Global Forum on Digital Transformation in Vocational Education (Shenzhen). The university also launched 14 "Shenzhen Digital Workshops" and signed or renewed 22 international cooperation agreements, bringing its global partnerships to 205 institutions across 45 countries and regions.

Soaring High Towards Greater Heights in 2025.As we step into 2025, let us unite more closely under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. We will deeply study and implement the spirit of the 20th CPC Central Committee's Third Plenary Session and the National Education Conference. Embracing the historic opportunities for vocational education development, we will remain committed to innovation, breaking new ground while building on tradition. Together, we will continue leading the way in high-quality vocational undergraduate education and contributing to the great cause of building a strong education nation.

We wish all faculty, students, alumni, and friends a joyous New Year filled with health, happiness, and prosperity.

May our university flourish and achieve even greater success in the coming year!