UM and Fudan Students Collaborate to Advance Rural Revitalization and Educational Empowerment

To deepen the exchange and collaboration between universities in Shanghai and Macau, to enable students to gain a deeper understanding of China’s rural educational resources, and to enhance cultural awareness of Chinese agrarian civilization, 17 Resident Fellows (RF) and students from Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College (HFPJC) and  Cheong Kun Lun College (CKLC) of University of Macau (UM) traveled over a thousand miles to engage in a meaningful summer service-learning activity with Fudan University. This event took place in Jiangcun, China, which is known as a “window for the world to understand China’s rural areas, from July 8 to 19, 2024.” The activity was led by RF Chang Kit Peng from HFPJC and Fang Shimin from CKLC.

UM students first participated in a three-day intensive training at Fudan University, where they learned about the crucial role of education in rural revitalization and studied interdisciplinary problem-based learning. They mastered core concepts and research methods of educational empowerment, laying a solid foundation for rendering subsequent practical activities. This service learning experience not only included comprehensive theoretical background knowledge but also featured an in-depth cultural exploration in Jiangcun, Jiangsu, China. The aim was to inject new insight and vitality into rural education and the development of future rural builders.

During the exploration in Jiangcun, UM, Fudan, and Jiangcun Experimental School’s teachers and students were divided into five groups: “The Story of Fei Xiaotong and Jiangcun”, “The Evolution of Education in Jiangcun”, and three focus groups on “Exploring Jiangcun’s Ancient Bridges”. The groups engaged in various exploration activities in Jiangcun. The “Story of Fei Xiaotong and Jiangcun” group conducted interviews with residents, they visited the Fei Xiaotong Memorial Hall and reviewed historical materials to delve into the connection between Fei Xiaotong and Jiangcun. The “Evolution of Education in Jiangcun” group visited the village to find mysterious friends and closely interacted with residents to understand the educational development process and the differences between urban and rural education. The “Exploring Jiangcun’s Ancient Bridges” groups investigated historical sites and reviewed village records to explore the history and culture of Jiangcun’s ancient bridges. The group studying “Hong’en Bridge” created catchy rhymes, while the “Guangfu Bridge” group collected and organized patterns on the bridge, learning about its history and producing a brochure on ancient bridge conservation. The “Dongmiao Bridge” group created a physical bridge model, showcasing the harmonious blend of ancient charm and modern technology. These exploration activities not only enhanced the teachers’ and students’ understanding of Jiangcun’s history and culture but also promoted the excavation and preservation of local educational and cultural resources.

At the closing ceremony of the programme, each group showcased their research findings to residents and students’ parents in the Jiangcun Cultural Hall, receiving enthusiastic responses and bringing substantial cultural and educational outcomes to the community. Through the combination of theory and practice, teachers and students from both universities conducted in-depth discussions on important topics such as the relationship between rural revitalization and education, providing strong support for implementing the rural revitalization strategy.

Additionally, the teachers and students visited the Jiangcun Elderly Center, bringing joy to the elderly. During interactions, they discovered that the elders possessed unique skills, and the lively tunes of Wu songs (Yangcheng Fishery Songs), a form of intangible cultural heritage, captivated the teachers and students. Finally, UM students toured museums, historical sites, and modern architecture in Shanghai and Jiangsu. They gathered information and stories about the attractions in advance, acting as “tour guides” to provide detailed introductions to other members.

Through exploring their hometown with primary school students from Jiangcun Experimental School, conducting field surveys, and engaging in interactive exchanges, the college students not only deepened their understanding of Jiangcun’s unique culture and history but also gained a deeper appreciation for rural education through practical experience. They gained a comprehensive understanding of China’s development and cultural heritage from ancient times to the present, experienced the scenery of the water towns in Jiangsu, and forged deep friendships through a series of icebreaking, interactive, and discussion activities!

Text: Lin Yunyi, Ao U Ian

Photos: Liang Mingxuan etc