The spirit of westward academic relocation
In 1955, the central authorities decided to move part of the Jiaotong University from the coastal city of Shanghai to the inland city of Xi'an to support socialist development and national defense. The relocation was not completed until 1959, with a new campus erected in the wheat fields of suburban Xi'an. After that the university had two campuses: one in Shanghai and the other in Xi'an.
A large number of faculty members in the fields of industry, transport, infrastructure, finance and trade, culture, health, and the military have since made great contributions to the development of west China. Today the Xi'an campus has grown into an important talent bank and a leader in education and scientific research in the western regions.
The spirit of westward academic relocation represented by Jiaotong's faculty can be summarized as considering first and foremost the national interest, making selfless contributions, carrying on traditions, and pioneering with hard work. Their noble character is fully demonstrated through their devotion to education in support of national rejuvenation.
Xi Jinping has spoken highly of this spirit, the core of which is patriotism and following Party leadership. He encourages Jiaotong's teachers to carry on this spirit and its graduates to render service and pursue their careers in the places where they are most needed.
西迁精神
1955年,为适应社会主义建设和国防建设需要,中共中央和国务院决定将交通大学从上海迁至西安,至1959年搬迁工作结束,新中国拥有了西安交通大学和上海交通大学两所交通大学。交大西迁创造了中国高等教育史上的“交大奇迹”,一大批来自工业、交通、基建、财贸、文教、卫生、军工等行业的“西迁人”扎根关中平原、秦巴深处,为西部发展、国家建设奉献智慧和力量。如今的西安交通大学,不仅是重要的人才库、智力库,更是西部地区位居前列的科教高地。这一切,都离不开那一场浩浩荡荡的西迁,更离不开西安交大人对“西迁精神”的传承与弘扬。
“西迁精神”的主要内涵是“胸怀大局、无私奉献、弘扬传统、艰苦创业”。这一精神不仅体现了老一辈交大人热爱祖国、服务人民的高尚情操,也展现了老一辈知识分子科技报国、教书育人的崇高风范。习近平多次提及“西迁精神”,指出这一精神的核心是爱国主义,精髓是听党指挥跟党走,与党和国家、与民族和人民同呼吸、共命运。他勉励广大交大师生要大力弘扬“西迁精神”,抓住新时代新机遇,到祖国最需要的地方建功立业。
