Dear faculty, students, alumni, and friends,
As the year wanes and a new one dawns, the scroll of 2025 unfolds gracefully amid the transition between winter and spring. At this beautiful moment of bidding farewell to the old and embracing the new, on behalf of Liaoning University, we extend our heartfelt greetings and warmest blessings to all faculty, staff, students, retired colleagues, alumni across the globe, and leaders and friends from all sectors who have persistently cared for and supported the university’s endeavors. To every individual who has sought knowledge within these hallowed halls, imparted wisdom upon this sacred ground, strived for excellence within this nurturing environment, and cherished lifelong memories in this cherished place — to all who proudly call themselves members of the LNU family — we offer our sincerest regards and most heartfelt wishes for a prosperous New Year!
LNU’s 2024 is a year of unwavering commitment and a sense of mission.
Throughout this year, we steadfastly adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply implementing the spirit of the 20th National Congress and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC. We have comprehensively followed the important speeches and instructions of President Xi Jinping regarding the revitalization and development of Northeast China and Liaoning Province. We have diligently studied and implemented the spirit of the National and Provincial Education Conferences, all the while under the correct leadership of the Provincial CPC Committee and Government, as well as the guidance and assistance of the Provincial Education Work Committee and the Department of Education. We have adhered to the philosophy of “stepping out of the campus, venturing into society, and moving to the forefront”, taking the initiative to integrate into the larger framework of revitalization. Our roots have deeply entrenched in the fertile soil of Shenyang and Liaoning, unfurling our banners and drawing our bows full in the clarion call of the construction of a powerful educational province. We have strived for the greater good of the nation, ventured for the key priorities of the province, and planned for the core missions of the university, striving to compose a new chapter of “building a strong nation, with Liaoning University making its mark”. Secretary of the Provincial CPC Committee, Hao Peng, has affirmed the accomplishments of LNU at the provincial education conference.
In this year, we underwent the sixth round of inspection by the Provincial CPC Committee’s 13th Inspection Team. We collaborated closely with the inspection team in tandem, addressing the same issues. All our faculty, staff, and students demonstrated steadfast work ethic and exemplary demeanor as they reflected on, supported, and advanced our efforts. This year, we also welcomed a special audit conducted by the Provincial Audit Office, which led to enhanced efficiency in financial management and further refinement of our regulatory framework. Furthermore, we underwent the undergraduate education and teaching review by Ministry of Education. Anchored in undergraduate education, we upheld a pragmatic and diligent approach, with every faculty member viewing the assessment as their own responsibility and a matter close to heart. They demonstrated strong principles, a broad perspective, and deep commitment, contributing their small yet meaningful efforts and consolidating our united momentum. Our integrated educational, research, and societal service mechanisms, rooted in the realities of society and actual challenges, were fully recognized and endorsed by the review experts.
LNU’s 2024 is a year of rallying under the banner, uniting with determination.
This year, we successfully convened the 13th Party Congress, electing a new committee and a new disciplinary inspection committee. We are focusing our efforts on building a “vibrant, excellent, entrepreneurial, and happy LNU”, setting the direction and laying the foundation for the university’s development over the next five years.
This year, we comprehensively strengthened the university’s Party construction. One of our branches has been selected as a “National Model Party Branch” for development, and three branches have been chosen for the “Double Leadership” Teachers’ Party Branch Secretaries “Strengthening the Nation” Special Action Team for national higher education institutions.
This year, we unwaveringly advanced comprehensive and strict Party discipline. Our original integrity education drama, “Growth”, was reprinted on the provincial discipline inspection commission’s website and official account. This has fostered a unique integrity culture that embodies the spirit of Liaoning and the characteristics of LNU, nurturing both teachers and students with a culture of integrity in politics, education, studies, and employment, thereby continually improving the campus political ecology.
This year, we organized a significant Conference on Publicity, Ideological, and Cultural Work, effectively fulfilling the mission to raise the banner, unite hearts, nurture new talents, invigorate culture, and showcase our image. We also inaugurated the Liaoning Research Base for Grassroots United Front Work Theory under the Chinese United Front Theory Research Association, driving the research of united front theory to greater depths and broader horizons.
This year, the successful convening of the 9th Teachers’ Congress, 53rd Students’ Congress, and 40th Graduate Congress further deepened the democratic atmosphere, fostering a culture of unity and putting the needs of teachers and students first.
This year, we continued to advance the modernization of the university’s governance system and capabilities. Goal management has unleashed significant efficiency, performance reforms have accelerated, and the vitality of our administrative team has become increasingly evident. The faculty and students exude a spirited and optimistic demeanor, reflecting the university's positive and upward trajectory.
This year, we innovatively advanced the environmental and cultural development of its teaching units, continuously building platforms that inspire and unite. These initiatives have deepened our collective vision and strengthened our confidence in a promising future, fostering a shared sense of purpose and aspiration.
The “LNU Spirit”, characterized by the unique qualities of our community, has deeply resonated with everyone. It is rooted in a red heritage that forms our spiritual foundation, imbued with a sense of responsibility that defines our intrinsic character, and marked by an inclusive and open-minded disposition that highlights our distinctive qualities. Our enduring commitment to diligence and self-improvement shines through, and the rich history and profound traditions of LNU have forged a resilient and distinctive character.
LNU’s 2024 is a year of innovation for change, ascending to reach peaks.
This year, we consistently seized opportunities and embraced change, persisting in self-renewal. Major landmark achievements have emerged, and we have passed the first round of “Double First-Class” discipline rectification and acceptance with high quality.
Faced with this critical and indispensable historical task, all members of the university have united in purpose and acted with determination and commitment. We have had visionary macro planning, bold pioneering efforts, and academic leaders who carry the banner and lead the way. Most importantly, we have the endearing faculty and students who face challenges together. Each point of light has merged into a vast ocean. Every resolute step forward has encapsulated the original aspirations and hard work of LNU’s members; every upward leap has been underpinned by the care and support of alumni from around the world and various sectors of society. As LNU advances with vigor, it draws upon a deep reservoir of accumulated strength, ready to burst forth with unprecedented potential.
This year, LNU was honored to be selected for the Ministry of Education’s “101 Plan” for foundational disciplines. Seven of our disciplines were included in the province’s new round of “Double First-Class” construction list, ranking first among provincial universities.
This year, we added a first-level discipline doctoral program in Software Engineering and a professional doctoral program in Law, marking our first breakthrough in professional doctoral programs. The number of engineering doctoral programs doubled, bringing the total number of doctoral programs to 14. Five new first-level discipline master’s programs and professional master’s programs were also approved, further optimizing our disciplinary structure. Our peaks have risen higher, our plateaus have expanded wider, our mountains have become more majestic, and our terrains have broadened.
This year, we achieved a historic breakthrough in the realm of science and engineering. The Environmental Science and Engineering discipline was included in the provincial first-class discipline construction programs. We established the National Coal Mine Safety Administration Key Laboratory on Mechanisms and Prevention of Impact Ground Pressure, and secured a National Natural Science Foundation Major Research Instrumentation Project with a direct funding of 8.66 million RMB. As LNU leaps, it flourishes in multiple areas, blossoming with new achievements and innovations.
LNU’s 2024 is a year of nurturing souls, steadfast in education.
This year, we fully embraced our fundamental mission of fostering moral and intellectual development. Our students have been driven by a spirit of perseverance and high morale. A total of 8,428 students have crossed mountains and seas to join LNU, where they find enlightenment and inspiration in courses such as “Xi Jinping’s Economic Thought” taught by distinguished professors. Enriched by an average of over 70 interdisciplinary courses, they cultivate their moral character, apply themselves diligently to their studies, and develop confidence and resilience in the nurturing atmosphere of the “Nine Major Festivals” of science, technology, culture, sports, and arts that embody the spirit of “Love My LNU”.
The undergraduate program in Supervision and Discipline has achieved record-high admission scores and was ranked first in the 2024 Shanghai Ranking. Additionally, the Economics, Digital Economy, International Economics and Trade, Law, and Marketing programs have all received A-level ratings. Over 2,400 students participated in the “Challenge Cup” National College Students Entrepreneurship Plan Competition, securing 25 national and provincial awards. More than 6,771 students took part in the China International College Students Innovation Competition, with 396 earning national and provincial accolades. Furthermore, 199 students traveled to the prestigious Cambridge University and Stanford University to engage in the EIEC program, international academic conferences, and the CFCC Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition.
This year, 731 student-led social practice teams from LNU left their marks across 47 counties and 406 towns within the province. The insightful analyses and recommendations in publications such as “Reviewing the Situation” and “Liaoning University Think Tank Brief” have played a significant role in promoting comprehensive revitalization. These real-world issues, fresh as morning dew, have enriched our teaching and propelled our research.
This year, 7,142 graduates bid farewell to their alma mater and ventured into the vast world, contributing to both family affairs and national service. They embarked on a brilliant journey, underscored by the slogan “As we rise together, our nation advances”.
This year, alumni from around the world rallied to support their alma mater, sharing their love for their hometown and contributing to the successful hosting of the Second Global Alumni Association President Forum and Annual Meeting. They continue to embody the genuine sentiment, “Once an LNU student, always an LNU soul”.
This year, the 20,000-square-meter comprehensive experimental center for science and engineering was fully occupied, and the 20,000-square-meter building for the Department of Supervision and Law was completed and put into use. Ground was broken for the 40,000-square-meter integrated building for the Department of Economics and a new student dormitory. The LNU campus has seen significant improvements, enhancing the learning and living experience for the faculty and students.
LNU’s 2024 is a year of striving under pressure, achieving doubled results.
This year, we reached new heights in attracting and nurturing high-caliber talents. One faculty member was honored as a Fellow of the International Economic Association by the United Nations, became the first Asian scholar to be invited as an Associate Editor of the world-renowned journal The Economic Journal, served as a Special Inspector for the National Supervisory Commission, and was appointed as Deputy Chairman of the Liaoning Provincial Supervisory Association. Throughout the year, 13 individuals were added to the ranks of national and international talent awardees. This includes the full-time recruitment of two world-class economists, Russell Cooper and Wing Thye Woo, from abroad. One faculty member was recognized as a National “Ten Thousand Talents Program” Distinguished Teaching Master, and another was named a Young Outstanding Talent. Additionally, 14 individuals were selected for the “Xingliao Talent Program”, comprising three leaders in the cultural elite and “four-batch” talent category, three young talents, two distinguished teaching masters, and six young outstanding talents. The academic influence of the university has continued to expand. The journal Geohazard Mechanics was officially included in the Scopus database and ranked 5th in the Earth Sciences category, earning a place among the Top 10 international journals in terms of overseas media dissemination. Faculty members have published high-quality papers in international top-tier journals such as JDE, JEMS, JLE, JET, and JHR. A co-authored work was awarded the Liu Shiqi Economics Prize. The university also secured its first two individual S-class and one Y-class projects from the National Foreign Experts Program. We successfully hosted the NBER China Economic Conference, bringing together scholars and experts from over 30 leading global institutions, including Harvard University and Peking University, for in-depth discussions on cutting-edge issues. We inaugurated the China Open Macro Economics Forum (COME) and successfully conducted seven sessions, which cumulatively attracted over 3 million online viewers, drawing significant attention from various sectors of society. The first Liaoning University National Development Forum was held, leveraging LNU’s efforts to integrate global resources and support national development. Further enriching the academic atmosphere, we continued to organize high-caliber events such as the Song Zexing Distinguished Lectures and the Tang Duo Lecture Series, enhancing the scholarly environment.
This year, we took our international cooperation and exchanges to new heights. We signed new cooperative agreements with seven institutions, including the University of Costa Rica, bringing the total number of partner universities to 160. Our representatives participated in the China-Italy University Presidents Dialogue and the China-Belarus University Presidents Forum, further solidifying our global connections. We made significant strides in advancing international educational projects. Efforts to establish overseas programs in Cyprus and to collaborate with Far Eastern Federal University are in full swing. The student training program with Ural Federal University in Russia has been successfully implemented, opening up broader avenues for international educational cooperation. The China Open Economy Research Institute has become the only council member of the “Global South” Think Tank Cooperation Alliance in Northeast China. We co-sponsored Asian Economic Papers, positioning LNU as one of the earliest “Double First-Class” institutions in China to participate in the founding of an English-language SSCI economics journal. We also established the National Center for International Discourse Systems, launching the high-end think tank bulletin “Overseas Think Tank Reference”. Through these initiatives, LNU is committed to telling China’s story effectively and contributing to global discourse with its distinctive voice.
LNU’s 2024 is a year of integrating into scenarios, serving revitalization.
This year, we upheld the philosophy of “serving Liaoning is serving the nation”. Fourteen city research institutes conducted 36 field investigations across the province, organized three “Real Issues” series release events, submitted over 40 research reports, and collected 254 real-world problems from local areas. They introduced more than 5 million yuan in horizontal research funding. Specific solutions were proposed for the steel industry in Yingkou and the magnesite industry in Anshan, demonstrating a new level of commitment to integrating the education chain, talent chain, industrial chain, and innovation chain. These efforts have fostered deeper connections and collaborative opportunities between academia and industry. Throughout the year, all faculty members collectively wrote “Notes on Serving the Three-Year Action Plan”. They transformed real-world issues discovered in various scenes and rural areas into research topics and projects, dedicating themselves to scholarly pursuits that address the needs of the people and contribute to societal well-being.
This year, we continued to leverage the comprehensive and integrated platform advantages of its “two institutes, one studio, and one center” to provide high-level support for smart anti-corruption efforts in Liaoning. We successively established several research institutes, including the Private Economy Research Institute, the County Economy Research Institute, the Marine Economy Research Institute, the Northeast SOE Revitalization Research Institute, and the Rural Revitalization and Ecological Civilization Research Institute. These multidisciplinary and multi-faceted institutions have contributed to the comprehensive revitalization of Liaoning from all angles and sectors. This year, the university published the regional development blue books “Shenyang City Development Report” and “Northeast Asia International Central City Development Index Research”. Additionally, we launched the think tank WeChat public account “LNU Policy Insights”, sharing insights and telling the story of Liaoning’s development through the perspectives of LNU.
As the years gild the passage of time, we embark anew upon a chapter of glory. Looking back on 2024, we met and became acquainted with the beautiful landscapes at the summit of Chongshan Mountain, the banks of the Puhe River, and the hallowed ground of Wusheng. The scenes of LNU people cherishing every season and living in clear, bright days are particularly touching. Their unwavering efforts in overcoming challenges, never conceding defeat, are even more precious. The university’s initial dedication and upward momentum are especially inspiring. At this moment, the vibrant scenery of LNU is at its peak, the momentum of development is strong, the unity of hearts is growing, and the beauty of happiness is evident. Do not linger as the wind chases the moon, for beyond the vast plains lies the spring mountain. Only by integrating its future into the historical development laws and the grand journey of the nation can a university steadily and confidently navigate the twists and turns of the road ahead. Greeting the first rays of sunlight in 2025, let us rise on the wind and walk with a song in our hearts, striving for an excellent LNU and a thriving homeland!
May our great motherland thrive and prosper, enjoying peace and stability! May faculty, students, alumni, and friends from all walks of life be blessed with a joyous and healthy New Year!
Pan Yishan
Secretary of Party Committee
Yu Miaojie
Deputy Secretary of Party Committee and President
December 31, 2024
