On August 27, SCMU’s Student Journalists’ Association summer practice team, led by four teachers including Liu Hong from the Party Committee Publicity Department, visited the renowned “PhD Village”－Yangtian Village in Liuyang, Hunan province. They used professional perspective to explore this national model village for rural happiness, with its rich traditional culture and contemporary rural revitalization achievements.

Visiting the Farming and Reading Cultural Museum. Photo by Luo Yu

Yangtian Village has long emphasized the importance of both farming and studying. At the village entrance stands a two-story high “PhD Wall”, recording the village’s accomplished individuals throughout history. This seemingly ordinary village has produced 28 PhDs, 176 master’s degree holders, and nearly 1,000 university graduates, truly living up to its nickname. Under the guidance of their teachers, 22 students delved into the village, visiting families of newly enrolled college students, a 96-year-old grandmother at the rural library, and talking with villagers compiling local chronicles.

During their visit, the students deeply felt the village’s strong family values and traditions. Villagers were hospitable, embodying traditional virtues like “living in harmony and practicing frugality”. Village Party Secretary and Committee Director Deng Jiazhang explained, “Every household here has its own inherited family motto, guiding and inspiring generations”. Guided by Luo Biru, General Manager of Yangtian Cultural Tourism Development Co., Ltd., the team visited iconic sites like the Farming and Reading Cultural Museum, old sluice gates, and ancient wells. “This activity truly taught me the meaning of practice yields true knowledge”, remarked Huang Jing, a team member.

Luo introduces Yangtian Village’s history to students. Photo by Deng Sitong

On August 29, after two days of research in Yangtian Village, the team moved on to visit the alumni enterprise, Hunan Chujiao Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. Liang Mengjiao, a 2010 alumna from the School of Literature, Journalism and Communication, warmly received the practice team. After showcasing the company’s development and achievements, she expressed joy in sharing her experiences with junior schoolmates, noting how her campus reporter experience had smoothed her transition into society. As a well-known female producer and director in Hunan, Liang engaged in in-depth professional discussions with the students. She encouraged them to set high life goals, bravely face potential challenges, actively engage in professional internships and practices, and continuously enhance their core competitiveness.

Student journalists engage in discussion with alumni.

Photo provided by Party Committee Publicity Department

Students expressed gaining much from this summer practice activity that took them deep into rural areas and enterprises. “Field research and company visits are closely related to our journalistic work”, said Li Meilin, a team member. “This activity allowed us to practice and improve our skills in real-world settings while broadening our horizons”.