A student team from the School of Marxism at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST) was honored at the final round of the 8th Shanghai University Student Theoretical Presentation Micro-Course Showcase, recently held at Fudan University’s Handan Campus.
Themed “Embarking on the 15th Five-Year Plan and Forging Ahead on a New Journey,” the event was organized by the Shanghai Education System Research Center for Online Culture Development and the Shanghai University Student Theoretical Presentation Alliance. A total of 136 micro-courses from 51 universities across Shanghai were submitted, with 20 selected for the final showcase after several rounds of evaluation.
Under the guidance of Peng Zongxiang and Wu Jun from the School of Marxism, a team of the School’s postgraduate students developed a micro-course titled “The Transformation of an Island: Fuxing Island and Shanghai’s Achievements during the 14th Five-Year Plan Period.” The project advanced to the final round and was recognized as an outstanding showcase project, demonstrating the students’ solid theoretical grounding and ability to communicate theory through engaging narratives.
The event aimed to promote the study and implementation of the guiding principles of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important remarks during his inspection of Shanghai, and the important concept that “cities are built by the people and for the people.” Through youth-oriented theoretical presentations, students were encouraged to connect theoretical learning with Shanghai’s urban development and integrate knowledge with practice.
During the preparation process, the School provided comprehensive support to the student team. Faculty advisors offered guidance on topic selection, case development, scriptwriting, filming and final presentation. Team members also conducted field research on Fuxing Island in Yangpu District and repeatedly refined their presentation to tell the story of Shanghai’s urban renewal from a youth perspective.
Zhu Zhe’s team records the theoretical presentation micro-course at Shipyard Park on Fuxing Island in Yangpu District
Taking Fuxing Island’s transformation as its central case, the micro-course used a focused local story to illuminate the broader theme of urban development. Its narrative was structured around three keywords — renewal, innovation and sharing.
Drawing on Fuxing Island’s industrial heritage, the course incorporated examples including the redevelopment of Shipyard Park, cultural activities held on the island during the May Day holiday, and Xiaohongshu’s “RED LAND” youth cultural event. These cases illustrated the area’s transformation from an industrial zone into a vibrant urban space and highlighted the people-centered approach to urban development embodied in the principle that “cities are built by the people and for the people.”
Scenes from the micro-course
The five-minute presentation reviewed Shanghai’s achievements in high-quality development during the 14th Five-Year Plan period while offering reflections from young people as the city prepares for the 15th Five-Year Plan period. Its clear structure, vivid examples and engaging presentation received positive feedback from the judges.
The final round of the 8th Shanghai University Student Theoretical Presentation Micro-Course Showcase
The achievement reflects the School of Marxism’s continued efforts to advance the “Great Ideological and Political Education Course” and strengthen the integration of theoretical learning and social practice. Through its Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era Study Society, the School regularly organizes field studies, theoretical presentations and micro-course projects, encouraging postgraduate students in Marxist theory to engage with Shanghai’s development and use the city as a living classroom.
Building on this achievement, the School will continue to strengthen its youth theoretical presentation initiatives and encourage more students to explore Shanghai’s development practices, communicate the Party’s innovative theories in ways that resonate with younger audiences, and tell compelling stories of Chinese modernization through Shanghai’s experience.