Seeking Truth from Facts and Daring to be Pioneers

"Seeking Truth from Facts" was first found in "The Book of Han-Biography of King Liu De". In "The book of Han" can be found a commentary describing King Liu De as being fond of old classics and seeking truth from facts. The board bearing "Seeking Truth from Facts", now hung over the Lecture Hall, was written by President Bin Bucheng in 1917 when Hunan Poly-Technical College was moved to Yuelu Academy. The president made it the admonition of the college to require the students to advocate science and pursue truth.

With the help of his teacher named Yang Changji, Mao Zedong resided in Yuelu Academy for many times from 1917 to 1918 and "Seeking Truth from Facts" exerted great influence on him. After his lecture in Yan'an Anti-Japanese Military and Political University in 1937, Mao Zedong followed the example of Yuelu Academy and made "Seeking Truth from Facts" the admonition of the university. In the revolutionary practice later on, he enriched and developed its connotation, making it the pith and marrow of Mao Zedong Thought.

The connotation and relationship of "Seeking Truth from Facts" and "Daring to be Pioneers" are as follows:

"Seeking Truth from Facts" refers to proceeding from facts, adopting a down-to-earth attitude and laying a solid foundation in the pursuit of truth;

"Daring to be Pioneers" refers to having the future in mind, daring to take challenges, daring to innovate, taking the road of development with its own characteristics and striving to realize the leap-forward development of the university.

Viewed from the relationship of the two, the former is the prerequisite and basis of the latter and the basis for the construction and development of Hunan University; and the latter is the target and the direction of the former and the path and means for the construction and development of Hunan University. Without "Seeking Truth from Facts" as the basis, "Daring to be Pioneers" would be virtually out of the question.

Origin of the Admonition of Hunan University

"Seeking Truth from Facts" was made the admonition by President Bin Bucheng when Hunan Poly-Technical College was moved to Yuelu Academy in 1917.

"Seeking Truth from Facts" was first found in "The Book of Han-Biography of King Liu De". The board bearing "Seeking Truth from Facts", now hung over the Lecture Hall, was written by President Bin Bucheng in 1917 when Hunan Poly-Technical College was moved to Yuelu Academy. The president made it the admonition of the college to require the students to advocate science and pursue truth.

With the help of his teacher named Yang Changji, Mao Zedong resided in Yuelu Academy for many times from 1917 to 1918 and "Seeking Truth from Facts" exerted great influence on him. After his lecture in Yan'an Anti-Japanese Military and Political University in 1937, Mao Zedong followed the example of Yuelu Academy and made "Seeking Truth from Facts" the admonition of the university. In the revolutionary practice later on, he enriched and developed its connotation, making it the pith and marrow of Mao Zedong Thought.

Today, Hunan University is at the critical period to construct it as a high-level institution of higher education, which makes the spirit of "Seeking Truth from Facts" especially necessary. Meanwhile, in a campus discussion on the school style, admonition, and spirits, "Seeking Truth from Facts" as the admonition of the university have been widely recognized among students and faculties.

"Daring to be Pioneers" is the pith of Huxiang Culture and Yuelu Academy is the cradle of Huxiang Culture. The designation of "Daring to be Pioneers" as part of the admonition of Hunan University embodies the inheritance and enhancement of the fine tradition.