On the morning of April 2, NPU’s Chief Engineer Ideological and Political Course ‘Soaring Care Lecture Hall - Face-to-Face with Dean Liu Zhengguo’ event was held at the university’s Alumni Home. Distinguished alumnus, former Assistant General Manager of China State Shipbuilding Corporation, and former Dean of China Ship Research Institute, Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo, returned to his alma mater to share his journey of struggle, dedication to national defense, and innovative educational thinking with faculty and students. Yang Ming, Director of the University’s External Liaison Office; Ke Fangling, Deputy Secretary-General of the Alumni Association; Zhang Kun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Working Committee for the Care of the Next Generation; Wang Li, Deputy Minister of the Party Committee Propaganda Department; Bai Junqiang, Dean of the Institute of Unmanned System Technology; Chang Min, Vice Dean; and student representatives attended. The event was hosted by Xu Xiaofeng, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the Institute of Unmanned System Technology.

At the event’s outset, Xu Xiaofeng introduced Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo’s personal experience and outstanding achievements. He thanked Chief Engineer Liu for returning to his alma mater despite his busy schedule to deliver an ideological and political course to faculty and students as a living example of NPU’s ‘Chief Engineer Education Culture.’ He also hoped students would cherish this valuable opportunity to learn from the Chief Engineer’s patriotic spirit, innovative drive, and strategic vision.

Subsequently, Institute doctoral student Du Bo and master’s student Hua Xiaoxiao, representing the ‘Four Ones’ interview group, conducted a face-to-face interview with Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo, inviting him to share his patriotic dedication to national defense on his Chief Engineer journey and his educational philosophy for the new era.

During the interview, Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo recalled his university days at Northwestern Polytechnical University, attributing his dedication to national defense and career choice in the military industry to his teachers’ meticulous guidance and rich practical activities. He emphasized that NPU’s motto of ‘Public, Sincere, Brave, Resolute’ and its ‘Three Realities and One Innovation’ school spirit shaped the university’s military-industrial foundation. Discussing his research, he repeatedly stressed the importance of innovative thinking, stating that breakthroughs from ‘imitation’ to ‘originality’ require multi-faceted innovation.

Against the backdrop of booming unmanned systems and AI, Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo envisioned the future of maritime unmanned equipment. He stressed that military industry talents in the intelligent era must solidify their foundations, cultivate innovative thinking, and adapt to the development needs of new quality productive forces and combat capabilities. He also suggested the university organize practical activities, like inviting frontline experts into classrooms, to cultivate versatile new talents with systemic thinking, aligning with national defense needs. Finally, he encouraged NPU students to aim for ‘NPU for the world, and world-class in aerospace, aeronautics, and astronautics,’ to accumulate knowledge, become versatile, innovate, and shoulder the mission of national rejuvenation in the new era.

During the Q&A session, students actively seized the opportunity, eagerly asking questions about technical challenges in naval gunnery and personal career choices. Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo answered each question with examples and encouraged NPU students to fully leverage the university’s interdisciplinary advantages to broaden their knowledge horizons.

Zhang Kun, representing the University’s Working Committee for the Care of the Next Generation, presented Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo with an alumnus lecturer appointment letter, affirming his leading role as an exemplar of the ‘Chief Engineer Education Culture’.

Yang Ming presented Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo with a souvenir, thanking him for his continued attention to talent cultivation at his alma mater.

After the event, students eagerly took photos with Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo. The two students who participated in the interview also received souvenirs and autographs from him.

Students expressed that they benefited greatly from the event and shared their insights and gains.

Student Du Bo: It was a great honor to interview Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo face-to-face as a student representative. During the interview, Chief Liu’s elegant demeanor relaxed my initial nervousness, and I deeply appreciated his forward-looking strategic thinking and progressive educational philosophy. Each generation has its own Long March and responsibilities; it is thanks to inspiring role models like Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo that NPU students can continuously pursue excellence and bravely face challenges.

Student Lei Baoming: Participating in the ‘Chief Engineer Ideological and Political Course, Soaring Care Lecture Hall - Face-to-Face with Dean Liu Zhengguo’ deeply moved and inspired me. What warmed my heart most was the Q&A session. When I mentioned my confusion about career planning, Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo shared his career philosophy, combining personal strengths with national needs, instantly dispelling my doubts. He didn’t give a standard answer, but through his thirty years of dedicated practice in national defense, he taught me that ‘direction’ isn’t wishful thinking; it naturally clarifies itself by building solid professional foundations and actively embracing the demands of the times. This face-to-face exchange was a spiritual baptism and a dialogue across time. Through such lectures, the patriotic spirit of the older generation of military engineers is quietly continued in the new generation of NPU students.

Student Tian Jiayi: I was very happy to participate in Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo’s exchange event as a member of the interview group. During the hour-long interview, he provided detailed answers to every question. This event greatly benefited me; Chief Engineer Liu Zhengguo’s inspiring insights not only reshaped my academic understanding but also illuminated the path for my future research.

This event is a concrete measure by the Institute to implement the Ministry of Education’s ‘Understanding China’ initiative and our university’s ‘Four Ones’ interview work, and an innovative exploration to deepen the ‘Chief Engineer Education Culture’ in student ideological and political work. Through the interview, students profoundly understood the ‘Chief Engineer’s’ broad vision for the nation, pioneering spirit, and commitment to excellence, encouraging them to deeply integrate patriotic dedication with academic frontiers, establish grand aspirations for serving and strengthening the nation, and become courageous and responsible strivers.

（Text: Du Bo, Lei Baoming; Photos: Guo Youjun, Wang Yichen; Review: Xu Xiaofeng）