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.

西遷精神

1955年,為適應社會主義建設和國防建設需要,中共中央和國務院決定將交通大學從上海遷至西安,至1959年搬遷工作結束,新中國擁有了西安交通大學和上海交通大學兩所交通大學。交大西遷創造了中國高等教育史上的“交大奇跡”,一大批來自工業、交通、基建、財貿、文教、衛生、軍工等行業的“西遷人”扎根關中平原、秦巴深處,為西部發展、國家建設奉獻智慧和力量。如今的西安交通大學,不僅是重要的人才庫、智力庫,更是西部地區位居前列的科教高地。這一切,都離不開那一場浩浩蕩蕩的西遷,更離不開西安交大人對“西遷精神”的傳承與弘揚。

“西遷精神”的主要內涵是“胸懷大局、無私奉獻、弘揚傳統、艱苦創業”。這一精神不僅體現了老一輩交大人熱愛祖國、服務人民的高尚情操,也展現了老一輩知識分子科技報國、教書育人的崇高風范。習近平多次提及“西遷精神”,指出這一精神的核心是愛國主義,精髓是聽黨指揮跟黨走,與黨和國家、與民族和人民同呼吸、共命運。他勉勵廣大交大師生要大力弘揚“西遷精神”,抓住新時代新機遇,到祖國最需要的地方建功立業。