Today's news shares the thoughts on GYLA's impact from two tutors of Shandong University and Chongqing University. Both of the tutors led their groups to participate in the 2021 eGYLA Winter Program.
Ms. Tingting Zhang, Tutor of Shandong University, 30 January 2021
In the year of 2020, the COVID-19 epidemic suddenly swept across the globe, which reminded us of the significance of building a community with a shared future for mankind, because individual ideal, national interest and global development are closely connected with each other. The present era is an era where talents and heroes emerge, and it is the right time for the youth to make a change. Under this circumstance, China, wishing to make a difference on the international stage, puts key attention on the talents, the youth, as well as the international talent training.
In response to the call of the times and countries, GYLA, a benchmark program for international talent cultivation, is committed to cultivating future international youth leaders and providing a learning and communication platform for nurturing international professionals. It is gaining increasing influence both domestically and abroad. “To reserve talents for the world, and to seek prosperity for the nation.” is the core mission of Shandong University, which is also the driving force for the international talents training of Shandong University. As a century-old university, Shandong University serves the national strategy, strengthens the training and delivery of talents for international organizations, and takes high-quality cultivation of international compound talents as its pursuit and responsibility. With the similar missions and purposes of GYLA and Shandong University, cooperation between the two has be promoted and become an important part of international talent cultivation in our school. Since Shandong University joined the GYLA family two years ago, more and more young students have regarded GYLA as “the place where their dreams start”. For GYLA, it continues to equip students from Shandong university with adequate capacity. Thanks to GYLA, students from Shandong University gain broader international visions and higher innovative practical abilities, and many good models for young students have sprung up among them—some are enrolled into first class universities for further study, some obtain internships in international organizations, and some are rewarded the Honor of Outstanding Student by China Baowu Steel Group.
This year, after several rounds of selection, 27 students from Shandong University joined the GYLA program. Among them, there are many promising students. Some are proficient in multiple languages, some are devoted to public welfare and volunteer work, and some set up Shandong University Student Association for Global Governance and International Organizations. These students share a common dream, and they now share a common name — GYLAers, standing together at the place where dreams begin.
I’m willing and glad to work together with GYLA to build a development platform for the youth and contribute to the cultivation of international youth elites, and I sincerely hope all GYLAers could take GYLA as the harbor where your international dreams set sail and a new starting point for your international journey. Wish each of you realize your dream on the international stage and become a global leader!
Ms. Rui Guo, Tutor of Chongqing University, 28 January 2021
What comes to your mind when we talk about sustainable development? renewable energy? diversity of species? public health? Or global climate? Actually, they are just parts of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) which are a topic we cannot neglect when it comes to the United Nations and cope with the global challenges we face. All development should be in the interests not only of the human beings, but also of the whole world. SDGs are a blueprint for us to build a better and more sustainable future for all.
As is known to all, the past year was marked by the sudden onslaught of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global public health faced severe threat, and we encountered multiple crises rarely encountered in human history. Until now, the pandemic is still raging. Against this backdrop, WHO and other international organizations are stepping up every effort to save more lives. In the era of VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity), every action we take today will influence the world in the future. Every one of us, especially the youth, should design and act properly in our times. The youth worldwide have responsibility to come forward and play their part, and their participation with fraternity and leading vision will help achieve SDGs.
GYLA is an excellent programme which cultivates young talents who want to contribute their strength and wisdom to the world. E-GYLA 2021 is the sixth one held, in which Chongqing University joined GYLA family for the first time. Whether the courses are online or offline, we are all grateful for this great opportunity. Dr. Liangrong Zu said in the first class, “The purpose of GYLA is to inspire and empower youth to change the world. We must awake, recode ourselves, and become extraordinary." We are standing on the shoulders of giants. GYLA offers us the great platform and opportunity, helps us gain knowledge and skills, and teaches us to create possibilities.
Be a GYLAer today, and to be a leader tomorrow. As Descartes said, “Je pense, donc je suis.” Please think systematically all the time. Furthermore, please dream bigger, think further, explore deeper, and achieve more. As a tutor, I will grow with my students together during this GYLA programme. I believe GYLA will lead us to a higher level of career, and we will endeavor to make a better future for the world.
