An agricultural powerhouse is the foundation of a great modern socialist country. Enhancing the financial service capabilities in rural areas will effectively guide more financial resources to support key areas and weak links in rural revitalization, providing stronger financial support for the comprehensive promotion of rural revitalization and the rapid construction of an agricultural powerhouse. To this end, the Hubei Branch of China Construction Bank organized the Summer Field Practice for Ten Thousand Students activity. The first cohort of master's students majoring in Rural Development (Rural Revitalization Finance) from School of Business Administration participated in the activity under the guidance of their mentors, Dr. Sun Huichun and Dr. Shi Zhanwen.
On July 3rd, the opening ceremony for the activity was held at Huazhong Agricultural University. From July 4th to 6th, the team of teachers and students from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law went to Longping Township, Dianziping Village, Jianshi County, Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Hubei Province, and participated in the entire practical teaching process. During the activity, all the teachers and students followed the footsteps of local villagers, visited Tujia stilted houses and Shanquan National Kindergarten, witnessing the achievements of the coordinated efforts in poverty alleviation and ethnic unity and development. They also visited the village's historical archives, watched video teachings, experienced the changes in the countryside, and gained a deeper understanding of the cohesion of the rural population. They retraced the Tea-Salt Ancient Road, truly experiencing the difficulties of developing remote areas. They also went into the homes of farmers, helped with weeding in local blueberry plantations, and experienced the hardships of daily agricultural work.
Throughout the activity, the young students lived, ate, and worked together with the local villagers, actively engaging in in-depth exchanges through interviews and discussions, to understand the realities of rural areas. They covered topics ranging from the introduction of agricultural technology to the development of vegetable planting industries, from policy support opportunities to future development prospects, from sustainable livelihoods for families to the upgrading of rural community governance, from the utilization of collective rural resources to the effective connection between agricultural production and rural market economy, and from expanding the sales channels of agricultural products to promoting rural financial knowledge. In total, the teachers and students jointly created 17 essays titled New Youth Discussing New Finance, one thematic practical report, and a 5-minute creative short video titled Rural Revitalization in My Eyes.
This activity effectively promoted the practical exploration of agricultural master's students in understanding grassroots, connecting with grassroots, and delving into grassroots communities. It helped young students to gain a better understanding of Chinese society, go to the frontline of grassroots, make friends with farmers, face them directly, and connect with their hearts. Through rural practice and exercise, they strengthened their beliefs, cultivated their work ethics, and improved their capabilities, thereby developing the correct worldviews, values, and outlook on life.