From July 16 to 18, the School of Political Science and Public Administration of Shandong University organised 2018 Summer Camp for nationwide outstanding college students. More than 50 outstanding students from renowned universities all over the country showed anticipation and enthusiasm in the camp. Gathering along the Aoshan Bay where turquoise blue waters surround "verdant fields in three directions, and a mountain towers high above all red houses”, these students spent three tense yet fulfilling days.
On the morning of July 16, the opening ceremony was held at Zhensheng Garden, Qingdao Campus. Two school administrators attended the opening ceremony and briefed participants about the event. Besides, Cao Xianqiang (Vice President of Qingdao campus, Shandong University and Executive Vice President of School of Political Science and Public Administration) gave a comprehensive introduction of Qingdao campus and the school’s scale, different disciplines and majors offered, internationalisation strategy and features of graduate training programs. Peng Zhan (Deputy Secretary of the School Party Committee) introduced the merit and support system of the school and the employment opportunities for graduate students. Liu Changming, Vice President of the school, presided over the opening ceremony.
A series of symposia were held during the summer camp. On the morning of the 16th, Professor Cao Xianqiang gave a report on the theme of "Urbanization and the comparison between Two Instances". He analysed the problem of urbanisation historically and realistically, explained trends and implications of urban transformation, and touched upon some countermeasures.
On the afternoon of 16th, Professor Liu Changming delivered a lecture on "The Security Situation around China and China's Diplomatic Strategy." He analysed new changes in China's peripheral security situation, international cases, based on which he also discussed the adjustment and trends in China's diplomatic strategy.
On the morning of 17th, Professor Kong Xinfeng gave a lecture on the subject of “Pondering over the Great Learning (one of The Four Books of Confucianism)”. He answered the question of what is The Great Learning by taking the Preface of Chapters and Sentences of The Great Learning by Zhu Xi as an example. He cited the classics to explain the profound connotation of the work and emphasised that "the truth of learning lies in the clear virtue, in the kinship of the people, and at the end of the best." With Leviathan as a reference, the author compared Confucianism and liberalism group views.
In the end, Professor Bei Danning, Dean of the School, lectured on "China's Political Model: Meritocracy, Democracy, or Both". In the lecture, he started from the division of the political world in the West, showing that division between democracy and autocracy was not suitable for China. Then, he explained about a political system that is based on "virtuous and capable politics". A comparative assessment was made between China and the West, he examined standards of "virtuous and capable politics", and briefly discussed its ideal mode. Also, Bei shared his experience and feelings about his teaching career at Shandong University with the campers and also stressed the profound academic strength and development prospects of the school.
The campers enquired and discussed with teachers about topics they were interested in and all have said they had gained a lot from the camp.
In order to give these campers a comprehensive understanding of Qingdao Campus and the School of Political Science and Public Administration, on the evening of 16th, a sharing session was held in Zhensheng Garden, where three outstanding students shared their experiences on their campus life, learning experience and career planning.
At the end of the summer camp, the school also organised a professional group interview. The instructors conducted a comprehensive examination of the campers' personal quality, basic theoretical knowledge, and English proficiency and so on, and issued ‘certificates of outstanding campers’ to students with excellent performance. In addition, the school also organised a visit to the Qingdao campus, Haier Industrial Park, the venue of SCO summit 2018, and other places.
The summer camp went to a triumphant finale on July 18th. Nearly 50 students from 33 universities attended this summer camp, such as South China University of Technology, Central China Normal University, Minzu University of China, Ocean University of China, China University of Petroleum (Eastern China) and China Agricultural University.
