562
Z. Wen
been communicated on a primarily large scale. Under the Five-Sphere Integrated
Plan, higher education institutions should understand the significance of ecological civilization in the new era more rationally, and make greater contributions to it
with regards to talent cultivation, scientific research, social service and disciplinary
development.
1. Accelerating the development of green courses and talent cultivation
Building an ecological civilization means not only planting trees, but also educating
people. To succeed in this strategy and let trees grow, we must enhance ecological
education of the people, which is a basic, strategic and long-term task. Universities,
as the highland that cultivates talents, makes scientific research and technological
innovations, and inherits and promotes culture and civilization, shoulder the duty
and mission of serving the socialist modernization drive by providing those services,
and should make a difference in the undertaking of ecological civilization.
Establishing the concept of respecting, accommodating and protecting nature is an
important ideological foundation for advancing the development of ecological civilization as it reflects the new values and ecological ethics. Universities should cultivate green talents that not only care about the ecological environment, but also know
how to do that, especially those specialized in green scientific research. They should
make the students understand the strategic significance of giving top priority to the
development of ecological civilization. Regarding the curricular system, the educational authority should enact and implement the environmental education system to
strictly ask all universities to open green courses as compulsory public courses for
non-environmental majors. Normal universities in particular should open relevant
courses to make sure the teachers they produce are equipped with basic knowledge
and skills of environmental education.
The ideas and thoughts of ecological education should be contained in the courses,
so that the “sustainable development” concept will be implemented throughout the
teaching process. Theories and skills of sustainable development and environmental
protection should be taught in classes to drive home to the students that we should
shift from industrialization to ecological civilization and work for green economy
and inclusive growth. In 2015, Tsinghua University opened the universal source titled
“Fifteen Lectures on Ecological Civilization” for undergraduates, which was selected
by about 9% of them. In 2018, the university published Theories and Practices of
Ecological Civilization as a new textbook.
2. Enhancing the awareness and competence of environment-friendly technological innovations
Scientific research carried out by universities is an important component of the
national scientific work and innovation system, playing a critical role in advancing
scientific and technological progress of the country. Major sci-tech breakthroughs
and innovations have constantly created new engines for economic growth, prompted
substantial economic restructuring, and stabilized the economy on a higher level
based on a better structure. With scientific development in modern times, the human
Z. Wen
been communicated on a primarily large scale. Under the Five-Sphere Integrated
Plan, higher education institutions should understand the significance of ecological civilization in the new era more rationally, and make greater contributions to it
with regards to talent cultivation, scientific research, social service and disciplinary
development.
1. Accelerating the development of green courses and talent cultivation
Building an ecological civilization means not only planting trees, but also educating
people. To succeed in this strategy and let trees grow, we must enhance ecological
education of the people, which is a basic, strategic and long-term task. Universities,
as the highland that cultivates talents, makes scientific research and technological
innovations, and inherits and promotes culture and civilization, shoulder the duty
and mission of serving the socialist modernization drive by providing those services,
and should make a difference in the undertaking of ecological civilization.
Establishing the concept of respecting, accommodating and protecting nature is an
important ideological foundation for advancing the development of ecological civilization as it reflects the new values and ecological ethics. Universities should cultivate green talents that not only care about the ecological environment, but also know
how to do that, especially those specialized in green scientific research. They should
make the students understand the strategic significance of giving top priority to the
development of ecological civilization. Regarding the curricular system, the educational authority should enact and implement the environmental education system to
strictly ask all universities to open green courses as compulsory public courses for
non-environmental majors. Normal universities in particular should open relevant
courses to make sure the teachers they produce are equipped with basic knowledge
and skills of environmental education.
The ideas and thoughts of ecological education should be contained in the courses,
so that the “sustainable development” concept will be implemented throughout the
teaching process. Theories and skills of sustainable development and environmental
protection should be taught in classes to drive home to the students that we should
shift from industrialization to ecological civilization and work for green economy
and inclusive growth. In 2015, Tsinghua University opened the universal source titled
“Fifteen Lectures on Ecological Civilization” for undergraduates, which was selected
by about 9% of them. In 2018, the university published Theories and Practices of
Ecological Civilization as a new textbook.
2. Enhancing the awareness and competence of environment-friendly technological innovations
Scientific research carried out by universities is an important component of the
national scientific work and innovation system, playing a critical role in advancing
scientific and technological progress of the country. Major sci-tech breakthroughs
and innovations have constantly created new engines for economic growth, prompted
substantial economic restructuring, and stabilized the economy on a higher level
based on a better structure. With scientific development in modern times, the human