On 10 September, following the opening ceremony for the 2024 cohort of students at the Shanghai Theatre Academy, the "First Lesson" for new undergraduate students commenced.
As per recent tradition, the "First Lesson" for new students was delivered by the Party Secretary of the university, Xie Wei. This lesson not only marked the first formal class for the 2024 undergraduate students but also served as an introductory lecture to the "Outline of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era."
In this year's "First Lesson," Xie Wei began with the recently concluded Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, providing a comprehensive overview of the theoretical framework of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. He explained key issues such as what Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era entails. Additionally, he connected the history of the Shanghai Theatre Academy and the development blueprint outlined in the university's third Party Congress to illustrate why it is essential to study Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. He also discussed how the university, under the guidance of this thought, aims to excel in high-quality talent cultivation, high-level discipline construction, and efficient university governance, positioning itself as a leader among art institutions in the journey of Chinese modernization.
The Party Committee of the Shanghai Theatre Academy places great emphasis on the construction of ideological and political theory courses. Under the leadership of the Party Secretary, all university leaders participate in teaching the "Outline of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era" course, providing students with the opportunity to directly interact with university leaders in the classroom. Additionally, university leaders frequently engage in collective lesson preparation with teachers from the university's School of Marxism, gaining firsthand insights into the construction of ideological and political courses and the work of the School of Marxism.
In recent years, the "First Lesson" for new undergraduate students at the Shanghai Theatre Academy has consistently been delivered by Party Secretary Xie Wei. The lecturer delivers the lesson with dedication, and the students listen attentively. For young students who have just entered the university, this introductory course helps them gain a deep understanding of the university's past and present, and its future development directions. It sets a positive tone for guiding students to further care about the development of the university, society, and the country, aiding new students in smoothly transitioning from high school students focused on entrance exams to university students of the new era.
