On Education

Hai Wen has been a farmer, a laborer, a leader, a scholar, but most importantly, through it all he has been a teacher. Reflecting upon decades spent in the confluence of leadership, scholarship, and education, Hai puts forth a distinctive pedagogical philosophy and practice. With a mission to explore the theories and methods of higher education in the context of China's economic development and social transformation – this book compiles the speeches and related interview materials of educator and university leader Hai Wen. Divided into three parts – the book begins by discussing Hai's perspective on Chinese education, including higher education and research, the cultivation of high-level talent, entrepreneurship training, and the improvement of workforce skills. The second part focuses on the author's reflections, since founding the Peking University HSBC Business School in 2004, on how to build a world-class business school. In the final part, Hai brings together a number of his speeches with discussions and letters shared with students to demonstrate the importance of nurturing the ideals, character, wisdom, and values of pupils, and going beyond the traditional parameters of schooling. This book sheds light on the reform and development of education in China through the lens and learnings of Hai Wen's storied career at the Peking University and in his time abroad, and offers inspiration to students, educators, and general readers worldwide.