Release time: April 15, 2023  Source: CPC Xi’an University Committee Publicity Department

　　On April 15th, the Inaugural Lecture on Guanzhong Academy began in Guangzhong Academy. Professor Zhu Hanmin, the dean of the Institute of Chinese Studies of Yuelu Academy, gave a lecture titled “How to Inherit and Innovate Traditional Colleges into the Future” based on his experience as the dean to promote the modern Renaissance of Yuelu Academy, which built a cross-time dialogue in “South Yuelu Academy” and “North Guanzhong Academy”.

　　Professor Zhu lectured on the development history, revival, and future of Shuyuan (academy) from three aspects, offering valuable suggestions for the development of Shuyuan. People can appreciate the unique charm of Shuyuan culture through his wonderful lecture. A lot of people came to listen to his lecture, including experts, scholars, residents, and tourists interested in Guanxue (a moral, ethical, and metaphysical Chinese philosophy influenced by Confucianism) and traditional culture, descendants of Zhang Zai (the founder of Guanxue) and Niu Zhaolian (a representative scholar of Guanxue), and representatives of teachers and students of the Xi’an University (Xi’an-U), who are devoted to inheriting the philosophy of Guanzhong Academy.

　　The Guanzhong Academy with a history of 414 years was founded in 1609 by Feng Congwu, an acclaimed scholar and educator from Shaanxi Province in the Ming Dynasty. Over the past 400 years, the Guanzhong Academy has changed from a traditional academy to a modern school and a modern university and has always been committed to education and academic study. It has become an important reference for studying the evolution of China’s education system, and is a truly “living academy”.

　　Xi’an-U, as the only municipal university, Guanzhong Academy is one of its campuses. Adhered to “Cities thrive on universities, and universities flourish cities”, Xi’an-U is dedicated to protecting and utilizing Guanzhong Academy to serve the development of Xian. Opening to everyone, the academy displays the study results of Guanxue and shows the culture of Xi’an, by incorporating the Shuyuan system and rules into its exhibition. The academy has created an immersive ancient academy through measures such as the discovery of Shuyuan stories, restoration of the academy, creation of teaching scenes, and improvement of the service facilities so that it can be seen, told, learned, and heard.

　　Xi’an-U aims to promote Guanzhong Academy Lecture Hall and establish its own cultural brand by spreading culture. By giving play to its own advantages and cultural leadership, the university will serve Xi’an and continue to promote the protection and utilization of the Guanzhong Academy, making it a nationally renowned educational base of excellent Chinese traditional culture, a unique cultural brand of Xi’an-U, and a meeting room of Xi'an, a sacred place of Guanxue culture, a treasure trove of cultural industry and a highland of Silk Road culture.

　　Experts and professors from the Institute of Guanxue Studies at Northwestern University, as well as governmental leaders of culture-related departments in Xi’an, were invited for guidance.