April 15, 2024 – Nanfang College, Guangzhou (NCG) officially inaugurated its School of Liberal Arts with a ceremony attended by academic leaders, faculty, and partners. President Tang Tao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, emphasized the School’s commitment to integrating classical Eastern and Western educational philosophies, exploring in-depth to innovate courses hence cultivating well-rounded, application-oriented talent.
The School of Liberal Arts will serve as a cornerstone of NCG’s mission to blend applied disciplines with whole-person education. President Tang stated:“Liberal arts education transcends specialization. It nurtures humanistic literacy, scientific curiosity, and artistic sensibility, empowering students to thrive in a complex world.”
Reflecting on his tenure as President of Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University (UIC), a pioneer in liberal arts education, Tang highlighted his goal to replicate this model at NCG:“Even in an application-focused institution, liberal arts principles enhance critical thinking, creativity, and global citizenship. This synergy prepares students to navigate diverse life paths.”
Strategic Initiatives
NCG outlined five pillars to advance liberal arts education:
Elite General Education Courses: Funding incentives for distinguished faculty to design interdisciplinary curricula.
Signature Textbook Series: Developing resources that bridge tradition and innovation.
Faculty Support: Policy reforms to encourage teaching in general education.
Collaborative Ecosystem: Implementing “all-staff, all-process, all-dimensional” education across departments.
Partnerships: Expanding ties with schools, universities, and international institutions to create a seamless K-12-to-higher-education pipeline.
Now the School of Liberal Arts has already assembled an interdisciplinary faculty team. Notable initiatives include:
“Appreciating Mathematics”: Co-taught by President Tang and Lin Yanan, Dean of Xiamen University’s School of Mathematical Sciences, this course explores mathematical beauty through cultural and historical lenses.
Language and Philosophy Offerings: Vice President Fu Ailan integrates global language pedagogy into courses, while Guo Haipeng, Acting Dean of UIC’s General Education School, delivers “300 Years of Critical Natural Philosophy.”
Rural Immersion: A “Study and Farming Garden” practice base in Conghua District will merge liberal arts learning with agricultural heritage.
Zhang Mingyuan, Presidential Advisor and Dean of the School of Liberal Arts:“Our vision extends beyond classrooms. By grounding liberal arts in both urban and rural contexts, we cultivate thinkers who appreciate tradition while embracing innovation.”
At the ceremony, NCG signed the “Liberal Arts Education Exchange and Cooperation Initiative” with UIC and Beijing Normal University. The agreement fosters curriculum co-development, academic exchanges, and international collaboration to build a shared liberal arts ecosystem.
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