On September 24, Liu Zhi, Dean of the School of Marxism at Shenzhen University, led a delegation to the School of Marxism at Xiangtan University for a research and study visit. The delegation included Associate Deans Sun Tingting and Ren Heng, along with administrative staff member Zhu Zirui. They were received by Zhang Youxiang, Party Secretary of the School of Marxism at Xiangtan University; Chen Long, Executive Vice Dean; Zhang Haiyan, Associate Dean; and Xiao Xinhua, Director of the Office. Through on-site investigations and in-depth discussions, both sides sought to strengthen mutual learning and jointly explore new pathways for the development of Marxist theory as an academic discipline.

At 3:00 p.m. that afternoon, the delegation from Shenzhen University first conducted an on-site study at the Special Exhibition on Mao Zedong Thought located on the first floor of the Mao Zedong Thought Research Center building at Xiangtan University. The exhibition, rich in historical materials and artifacts, vividly illustrated the formation and development of Mao Zedong Thought. Following this visit, Dean Liu Zhi and his team toured the second floor of the same building to inspect Xiangtan University’s Virtual Simulation Laboratory for the “Big Ideological and Political Course”, where they personally experienced its innovative applications in ideological and political education.

At 4:00 p.m., a symposium was held in Room 319 of the East Building of the School of Marxism at Xiangtan University, presided over by Zhang Youxiang. During the meeting, Zhang extended a warm welcome to Dean Liu and his delegation, while Chen Long provided a comprehensive introduction to the core areas of the school’s development. Focusing on the reform of ideological and political course teaching, Zhang Haiyan elaborated on the school’s innovative practices and successful experiences. She also shared insights on the mechanisms for organizing high-level research, cultivating major academic achievements, and building a strong faculty and talent team.

Dean Liu Zhi outlined the core objectives of this visit in relation to the actual development of the School of Marxism at Shenzhen University. He emphasized that the school is currently at a critical stage of high-quality development. On one hand, it regards the application for a first-level doctoral program in Marxist Theory as a central goal and hopes to draw on Xiangtan University’s mature experience in this regard. On the other hand, as the school advances the formulation of its 15th Five-Year Plan, it seeks to learn from Xiangtan University’s planning approaches and practical models to inject new momentum into its own development.

During the exchange session, both sides engaged in in-depth and pragmatic discussions on key issues such as breakthroughs in ideological and political course reform, improving research organization and management efficiency, strengthening core capabilities in talent development, and implementing the 15th Five-Year Strategic Plan. The visit not only facilitated a precise exchange of developmental experience between the two institutions but also successfully established a mutually empowering partnership. Both parties expressed a clear commitment to future cooperation, focusing on joint faculty development, collaborative curriculum design, and co-promotion of research. They aim to deepen multi-domain resource sharing and collaborative innovation, jointly advancing the Marxist theory discipline toward higher-quality development and providing strong support for enhancing ideological and political education in the new era.