Fushan Academy of Qingdao University hosted a grand evening party on Dec 18 to celebrate its 10th anniversary as well as to greet the upcoming New Year in the eastern coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province.

More than 200 distinguished guests took part in the event, including officials from Qingdao municipal publicity department, the Chinese Association for Suzhi Education and Qingdao University, as well as scholars from Sichuan University and the Confucius Institute.

Students from Fushan Academy of Qingdao University display traditional tea art at the academy's 10th anniversary party on Dec 18 in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Fushan Academy was established in 2007 by Qingdao University as a platform to promote liberal arts education. It is designed as an approach to curb the trend towards vocation-oriented education, and to convert general students into well rounded individuals through self-awareness and self-actualization.

Students from Fushan Academy of Qingdao University perform poetry reading at the academy's 10th anniversary party on Dec 18 in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Liberal arts education is becoming the most important means of undergraduate education reform exercised by numerous universities in China which emphasizes fewer students per class, allowing for closer interaction between teachers and students. In regards to the course content, both arts and sciences received a balanced approach. There is strong emphasis on critical thinking and creativity.

According to an official from Qingdao University, this kind of small learning community makes it more convenient for students to engage in self-exploration and to develop closer relationships with their teachers and peers. It also helps them participate actively in campus life and establish social networks. Teachers play a pastoral role while living and dining with students, which is completely different from most of today's large and research-intensive universities.

An endearing stage play is performed during Fushan Academy's 10th anniversary party on Dec 18 in Qingdao, Shandong province. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]