On September 10, 2025, the School of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development at Renmin University of China held its Inaugural Guidance Lecture for the Class of 2025 simultaneously at Room 930 of the Mingde Main Building on the Zhongguancun Campus and Room 307 of the Second Teaching Building on the Tongzhou Campus. Han Changfu, President of the China Association for the Development of Rural Areas and former Party Secretary and Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, was invited to deliver the first lecture of the academic year to incoming students. The session was chaired by Dean Lü Jie. Members of the school’s leadership team, faculty representatives, and undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students of the Class of 2025 attended the lecture.

 

At the beginning of his lecture, Mr. Han Changfu encouraged the students by saying:

"The future of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers (the 'three rurals') holds tremendous responsibilities and boundless potential—your contributions will be invaluable!"

 

He then elaborated on five key tasks essential to the development of the “three rurals” in the new era:

1. Safeguarding national food security by upholding the core priorities of the nation.

2. Advancing high-quality agricultural development and achieving agricultural modernization.

3. Promoting comprehensive rural revitalization to realize rural modernization.

4. Raising farmers’ income levels to improve their well-being.

5. Bridging the urban-rural divide and fostering integrated urban-rural development.

 

When addressing what students in this new era should pursue, Mr. Han emphasized three clear directions:

1. Study General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important discourses on “three rural” work, including the values, methodologies, and profound rural sentiments they embody.

2. Develop a grounded understanding of China’s national realities and rural conditions.

3. Strengthen academic training and build a solid foundation of professional competencies.

 

Mr. Han expressed his heartfelt hope that through their studies, students would gain a well-rounded understanding of global, national, and rural dynamics; establish a comprehensive knowledge framework of the “three rurals”; and in the future, actively engage in rural development. He encouraged them to contribute meaningfully to the revitalization of rural areas and the building of an agricultural powerhouse—achieving personal growth amid this historic mission.

At the conclusion of the session—coinciding with Teachers’ Day—student representatives presented a bouquet of flowers to Mr. Han Changfu. This bouquet not only conveyed the warm welcome and sincere respect of all incoming students, but also expressed heartfelt holiday greetings to a revered mentor. More importantly, it embodied the spirit of gratitude, reverence for industry pioneers, and the enduring commitment of SARD students to carrying forward the legacy of agriculture and striving for excellence in the new era.

 

 

Mr. Han Changfu’s lecture provided the Class of 2025 with both profound insights and a warm humanistic touch, laying a solid foundation for their academic journey and future engagement in agriculture and rural development. Inspired by the session, the incoming students expressed their determination to dedicate themselves to the field with passion and professionalism, aspiring to become pioneers in agricultural modernization and contributors to rural revitalization. They aim to channel their youthful energy and expertise into advancing Chinese-style modernization.