How to Put “Never Abandon, Never Give Up” into Practice
One of the most moving lines in the television series Soldiers Sortie is: “Never abandon, never give up.” This principle is especially valuable in an era of profound change, yet putting it into practice is far from easy.
The students and faculty members who join our School have all passed rigorous selection processes and demonstrated the standards required. In other words, amid an intensely competitive process of development, every member of our academic community is qualified to take part in the School’s collective endeavor. But having the opportunity to compete does not guarantee the desired outcome. Students face competition for recommendation-based postgraduate admission, entrance examinations for postgraduate study, employment, and academic competitions. Faculty members face challenges in applying for research projects, publishing papers, seeking promotion in professional titles, and advancing their careers. How can the School and its students and faculty truly uphold the principle of “never abandon, never give up”? This is a question that each of us must answer.
“Never abandon, never give up” is a psychological commitment that each student and faculty member makes to themselves. It is both a personal aspiration and an internal driving force built on the determination to achieve tangible results. Yet internal motivation does not necessarily translate into objective outcomes. No matter how hard students work, they may still fail to gain admission because postgraduate places are limited, or be unsuccessful in the job market because vacancies are scarce. Likewise, no matter how hard faculty members work, their research proposals may not be approved because of application quotas, or they may miss out on promotion because the number of available positions is limited. Advocating “never abandon, never give up” means doing everything within our control: broadening our options, making the most of our strengths, remaining true to our values, and sustaining our efforts through action. However, “never abandon, never give up” should not mean pursuing a goal at all costs or refusing to accept reality. Success depends on aspiration, ability, external circumstances, and sometimes even luck. After doing everything within our power, if we still fall short of our desired outcome, we should learn to make peace with who we are and with reality. As Wang Anshi wrote in “A Visit to the Baochan Mountain”: “If one has done one’s utmost but still fails to reach the goal, one can have no regrets. Who, then, could criticize such an effort?”
“Never abandon, never give up” is also a psychological commitment between the School and its students and faculty—a relationship of mutual trust between the institution and the individual. Internal factors are fundamental, while external factors provide the conditions. External conditions can stimulate a person’s inner drive, but they can also impose practical constraints; the two interact and reinforce one another. As one party to this commitment, the School must remain true to its fundamental mission of developing talent. This means nurturing not only students but also faculty members, whose professional growth is equally important. The School should provide students with information and opportunities to demonstrate their abilities, offer appropriate education and training, and allocate the resources they need. It should also create pathways for faculty members to improve their capabilities and platforms on which to put their talents to use. The School should do its utmost to broaden opportunities for career advancement and foster an environment of innovative policies and adequate resources. In practice, the School should take the initiative, act first, and be willing to make concessions where necessary, assuming its responsibilities proactively. Only a School that demonstrates a strong sense of responsibility can cultivate responsible students and build a faculty team that is equally committed. The School has no independent goals that are separate from the aspirations of its students and faculty. Its development goals are, in essence, the collective expression of their hopes and aspirations.
“Never abandon” and “never give up” are mutually reinforcing. Understanding this relationship enables us to take the initiative in our development. The initiative to “never abandon” lies with others; the initiative to “never give up” lies with oneself. When faced with a setback in competition, “never give up” means refusing to lose heart and continuing to seek new paths forward. “Never abandon” means that the School continues to offer care and support. The principles for building a new-era cadre of officials call for selecting people who are loyal to the Party on the basis of their loyalty to the Party, those who take responsibility and get things done on the basis of their commitment to the cause, and those with a solid work ethic on the basis of their practical and rigorous approach. This logic of selection and appointment also offers a useful reference for our School. The School will not abandon those who are willing to create value for the collective, and certainly not those who have made key contributions to its development. Of course, the School itself is constrained by the resources and conditions available to it. It would be unrealistic to promise to take responsibility for everything or to provide unlimited support. Upholding “never abandon, never give up” therefore requires us to pool our ideas and make the best possible use of our resources. When the School remains committed to the shared development of its students and faculty, they, in turn, will naturally work hard for the School’s development. This is the confidence that grows out of mutual trust—and the essence of shared development.
In practical terms, “never abandon, never give up” means that when difficulties arise, each of us should avoid passivity and resignation, and conscientiously do what is within our power. For its part, the School must remain committed to its mission of educating and developing talent, create the conditions for students and faculty to grow, and ensure that those who work hard for the School feel a sense of warmth and belonging. “Never abandon, never give up” begins with the shared commitment of the School and its people. Ultimately, however, it must be reflected in tangible progress and concrete achievements for both the institution and the individual, because development is the ultimate priority.
