A forum on practical education was held by the Academy of Art and Design, Tsinghua University, on January 7. Tsinghua President Gu Binglin attended and delivered a speech on the forum. Professor Wang Mingzhi, Vice chairperson of Tsinghua University Council and President of the Academy of Art and Design, chaired the forum.

During his speech, President Gu praised the achievement made by the Academy of Art and Design in subject construction since it was annexed to Tsinghua 5 years ago. He pointed out that in order to make the students more creative, various aspects of practical education, ranging from the society and school to the students, should be examined. He hoped that the Academy of Art and Design could combine its good tradition of practical education and its own characteristics, and set up an all-round pilot practical education system.

The Academy of Art and Design has enjoyed a good tradition of paying attention to practical education, and has formed a complete system of it during its history of over 40 years. However, with the society developing ahead, many big changes in the professional requirements has arisen.

As the importance of practical education becoming increasingly evident, the cultivation of art students is confronted with new challenges. How to update the concept of practical education in the teaching of art students? How to establish an all-round pilot system of practical education? How to ensure the implementation of practical education in teaching? How to support it in terms of human resources and financial resources? Centered on these questions, the people involved exchanged their views.

The forum was reportedly the second one of its kind held by the Academy of Art and Design during its 22 nd conference on education.

Also attended the forum were Vice President Xie Weihe, and heads and academic backbones from Department of Art History,Department of Art Design, and Department of Painting.

Reported by Liu Aixiang