On March 6, 2023, to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of Shenzhen University, the Faculty of Education held an event of lectures by renowned scholars in Section D of International Conference Hall. Professor Chen Hongjie from Peking University gave a lecture entitled "How to Understand the Modernization of Chinese Higher Education" to the teachers and students of the Faculty of Education. The venue was packed with audience.

At the beginning of the lecture, Professor Li Jun, Executive Director of the Faculty of Education, extended a warm welcome to Professor Chen Hongjie. Then, Professor Chen Hongjie started his sharing. He analyzed the background of "Chinese-style modernization" and "Chinese-style modernization of higher education", and pointed out that "Chinese-style" is mostly discussed in the academic circle, while "modernization" is suspended. In respect of "modernization", Professor Chen Hongjie held that the key to modernization in China today is industrialization, which can force the reform of social culture and policies, so as to promote social development. Meanwhile, he also said that industrialization is not just about factories and machines, and it would not be able to run without the support of the corresponding cultural and social environment.

Professor Chen further stated that along with the popularization of higher education, institutions of higher education are faced with a host of problems, and one of the mostobvious problems is that a large number of institutions are stuck in a rut of beingneither academic nor technical, unable to train applied talents for enterprises, or academic talents. Based on that, Professor Chen held that academic universities should adhere to the academic focus, while applied universities should focus on industrial technology and culture, stay close to enterprises, and train applied talents.

In the end, Professor Chen concluded that the Chinese-style modernization of higher education cannot be separated from industrial technology and culture. By quoting Deng Xiaoping's original words, he pointed out that industrial technology and culture lies in liberating and protecting productive forces and satisfying various conditions required for the development of productive forces, including the progress of science and technology and the training of professional and technical talents.

In a burst of applause, Professor Chen Hongjie ended his lecture. Afterward, students actively asked questions, and Professor Chen patiently answered each of them. Teachers from the Faculty of Education also actively interacted and discussed with Professor Chen.

Professor Li Jun made a summary of the lecture and expressed thanks to Professor Chen Hongjie again.

The lecture was a complete success!