A Tale of Two Cities Supporting Xinjiang

"When I first arrived at the school, my family was strongly against me studying design..."

Chang Peng smiled with satisfaction. "Now she has her own design studio in Urumqi, specializing in cultural and creative products with ethnic characteristics. Last month, she also won the first prize in the Autonomous Region Youth Entrepreneurship Competition."

Sitting in the front row, Zhou Mingyu turned to his colleague next to him and whispered, "This example is excellent."

After the sharing session ended, Zhou Mingyu quickly caught up with Chang Peng.

"Teacher Chang, what exactly is Guzalinur, whom you just mentioned, doing now?"

"We mainly take on commercial design projects, and things are going well."

Chang Peng replied, his tone filled with pride.

Zhou Mingyu slapped his thigh: "Such a good student is a living textbook in himself!"

We need to get more Guzalinurs into schools!

Chang Peng was taken aback: "What do you mean?"

"I suggest inviting her back to the school to be a practical training teacher and turning her studio into a research and study base for our school."

Zhou Mingyu became more and more excited as he spoke, "This way, we can both pass on your teaching philosophy and set an example for today's students."

Chang Peng looked troubled. "Director, her career is booming right now. I'm afraid she wouldn't want to come back to do this basic teaching work, would she?"

How will you know if you don't try?

"It's such a waste not to utilize such good resources."

Chang Peng fell silent.

He knew Guzalinur; the girl was indeed loyal and affectionate, but he couldn't bring himself to ask her to give up her thriving career and return to teaching at the school.

"Chang Peng, this is a major event related to cultivating more design talents."

Zhou Mingyu noticed his concerns. "How about this, you talk to her first and listen to her thoughts."

Immediately, Chang Peng dialed Guzalinur's number.

A delighted voice came from the other end of the phone: "Teacher Chang, I was just thinking of calling you these past couple of days!"

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Chang Peng hesitated before getting to the point: "There's something I'd like to discuss with you."

The school wants to invite you back to be a practical training instructor and to use your studio as a student research and study base. We'd like to know if you...

"I do!"

Before Chang Peng could finish speaking, Guzalinur answered without hesitation.

Chang Peng was stunned: "Don't you want to hear the details first? This might take up a lot of your time, and the pay isn't high..."

Guzalinur's voice choked with emotion: "Teacher Chang, without you, I might still be at home herding sheep."

You taught me design, helped me apply for student loans, and encouraged me to persevere in my dreams during my most difficult times. I'd be willing to go back to cleaning classrooms, let alone become a training instructor!

Chang Peng gripped the phone, his throat tightening.

Guzalinur changed the subject: "However, I have a condition."

"you say."

"I don't want any compensation."

But I hope the school can provide some support to the training base, such as basic equipment and material procurement, so that students can actually create works.

Chang Peng felt a surge of warmth in his heart: "Don't worry, the school will definitely support us."

After hanging up the phone, Chang Peng immediately found Zhou Mingyu to report the situation.

After hearing this, Zhou Mingyu slammed his hand on the table and exclaimed, "Good! This child is loyal and righteous!"

However, please don't complain about the compensation; we'll pay you the same rate as a regular part-time teacher.

"So what's next?" Chang Peng asked.

"Let's go, let's talk to the dean directly!"

In the dean's office, after hearing their story, the dean's eyes gradually lit up.

"That's a great idea!"

What our vocational schools lack are practical training opportunities with real projects and real work environments.

Guzalinur's studio has real-world business, allowing students to experience real customer needs, which is a hundred times better than simulated training!

He turned to Chang Peng: "Teacher Chang, you've nurtured a wonderful student. Not only has he succeeded, but he's also willing to give back to his alma mater."

"It's mainly because the child is hardworking," Chang Peng said modestly.

"In this way, we will first hire Guzalinur as a part-time teaching assistant and pay her according to the school's standards."

Her studio is officially designated as the "Design Training Base of Shihezi Vocational and Technical College." The school can provide some basic equipment, and any revenue generated from student work will be shared proportionally.

Zhou Mingyu added, "We can also organize other cadres who are assisting Xinjiang to visit and learn from this model, and promote it to other regions."

A week later, a brand-new bronze plaque was hung at the entrance of Guzalinur Design Studio, reading "Shihezi Vocational and Technical College Design Professional Training Base".

The first group of six students stood in the studio, curiously looking at the dazzling array of ethnic-style design works around them.

Guzalinur, dressed in appropriate business attire, stood before the students, looking slightly nervous.

"Hello students, I am Guzalinur. A year ago, I was sitting in the classroom listening to the teacher's lecture, just like you."

Today, I want to tell you all that as long as you hold onto your dreams, you can all become the person you want to be.

She walked to the workbench and picked up a sketch: "This is the visual design project we are working on for the Turpan Grape Festival."

Over the next two weeks, you will be involved in the entire process of this real project…

Chang Peng and Zhou Mingyu stood outside the studio, looking through the glass window at the scene inside.

"How's it going? Are your initial concerns gone?" Zhou Mingyu asked with a smile.

Looking at the radiant Guzalinur in the classroom, Chang Peng's eyes welled up with tears: "I underestimated this child. She has a broader perspective than I imagined."

"This is what we call inheritance."

The seeds you planted are now sprouting, blossoming, and will bear even more fruit in the future.

In the classroom, Guzali Nur was distributing design assignments. A student raised his hand and asked, "Teacher Guzali, what was the biggest difficulty you encountered when you were learning?"

Guzalinur smiled, her gaze inadvertently meeting Chang Peng's outside the window.

"The biggest difficulty is doubting your own ability to do it."

But my teacher told me that every ethnic group's patterns have unique beauty, and every person has unique value.

Find it, stick to it, that's the secret to success.