The Seminar on the Reform of China's Law Education was held to coincide with the 118th anniversary of the birth of Zhang Tailei, an outstanding alumnus of Tianjin University Law School. The occasion also marked the first anniversary of the reconstruction of Tianjin University Law School.
At 8:00 am to commemorate his anniversary, the faculty of law school, together with all guests, paid a visit to the Zhang Tailei exhibition room located in the History Museum of Tianjin University. After a representative of “Tailei class” introduced the life story of Zhang Tailei, students indicated that they would contribute to making Tianjin University a world-class university and realization of Chinese dream.
At 9:00, presided over by party secretary Zhang Junyan of Tianjin University Law School, the Seminar on the Reform of China's Law Education was opened. More than 100 people attended the seminar, including Zhang Tailei’s grandchildren Feng Haiqing and Feng Hailong; director Li Shichun of the law research center of the China Law Society; vice president Huo Xiandan of the law education research group of China Law society; chair professor Zheng Chengliang of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, who is also vice president of the law education research group of China Law society; Executive president Huo Cunfu of the China Institute of Legal History; member of the national committee of the CPPCC and professor of Nankai University Hou Xinyi; deputy secretary Piao Wendan of Peking University Law School; Law School vice-president Xu Shenjian of China University of Political Science and Law; president Li Jiajun of Tianjin University, Director Lei Ming of the Publicity Department, Dean Sun Youhai of the Law School and representatives of guests, media and the Law School at Tianjin University.
Sun Youhai pointed out that the essence of Zhang Tailei Spirit was his love of the country and the people and his dedication to the national cause. He said that we students should always cherish their good life now, which is fruits of the endeavors and strivings of martyrs like Zhang Tailei. Zhang Tailei Spirit meant adherence to the rule of law; unswervingly take the road of law with Chinese characteristics and confidently uphold the path, theory and system. Moreover, we also need to comprehensively deepen reforms, promote law-based governance of the country in an all-round way, and constantly improve our system to adapt to new situations and new problems. He expected all students to take Zhang Tailei as an example, and try to use their talent to serve the people wholeheartedly. He also said that Tianjin University Law School, characterized by being mainstream and compliant with international convention was a high starting point to become a school with a high reputation both at home and abroad.
As the descendant of Zhang Tailei, Feng Hailong has been concerned about the development of Tianjin University. Knowing that the Law School has made great achievements since its reconstruction, Feng felt highly delighted. He expected the Law School to become a top school that will build a talented team, strengthen its function in fostering more talent in law and have a number of influential academic results. He also hoped that students of Tianjin University can achieve more by adhering to Zhang Tailei Spirit.
On behalf of the research center of the China Law Society, Li Shichun extended his warm congratulations on the opening of this seminar. He said that modern students need to learn from Zhang Tailei’s great ambition, dedicated spirit and pragmatic working attitudes. Nowadays, there existed some problems in China’s law education. The fourth plenary session of the 18th CPC central committee pointed out the direction for the reform of law education. Tianjin University Law School served as the undertaker of China Law Society’s 2015 major research project: The reform of China’s law education. Therefore, Li Shichun hoped that the research group could thoroughly implement the spirit of the 18th NPC as well as the third, fourth and fifth plenary sessions of the 18th central committee of the CPC, to conduct prospective, broad-based and strategic research. Moreover, the research group was responsible for putting forward operational suggestions on the reform of China’s law education as well as strengthening the communication with the China Law Society and to accomplish programs in time.
In the past one year since the school’s reconstruction, President Leebron of Rice University was invited as honorary professor, and Professor Edward Ronald Litwin from California was invited to give lectures. The school established deep relationships with the University of Vienna and the University of California, Los Angeles. On the occasion of the first anniversary of the school’s reconstruction, Professor Litwin expressed his best wishes to Tianjin University Law School. He said that through teaching students the American legal system, he has built deep friendships with both students and teachers. He also expressed his thanks to Tianjin University for their help during his stay there.
Founder and chairman of Software House International, chairman of Leo KoGuan Foundation, USA, a Member of Board of Trustees and honorary professor of Law School, Fudan University, Mr. Leo KoGuan sent his congratulatory message to Tianjin University, in which he hoped that Tianjin University and its Law School could have more cooperation with the KoGuan Center and KoGuan Law School to promote China’s rule of law and legal principles, and jointly strive for the realization of the Chinese dream.
President Li Jiajun pointed out at the seminar that Tianjin University has been upholding the Zhang Tailei Spirit combined with the university motto, "Seeking Truth from Facts", as well as the university’s guideline, Precise in Learning, Strict in Teaching. Tianjin University also founded the exhibition room of Zhang Tailei, the “Zhang Tailei research center of Tianjin University” and the “Tailei Class”. When Tianjin University was celebrating its 120th anniversary in 2015, the same year of the 117th anniversary of the birth of Zhang Tailei, Tianjin University Law School was formally reconstructed. The school has made outstanding achievements in the fields of talent cultivation, scientific research, social service and cultural inheritance over the past year. The faculty of the school learned from the Zhang Tailei Spirit, to plunge into the construction of law discipline and to shoulder their responsibilities of promoting the rule of law and cultivating more talent in law.
During the seminar, specialists and scholars had heated discussions on topics centering on the goals and training models of law education as well as the construction of a systematic curriculum system and the optimization of teaching staff.
