backInstitute of Yu Culture Studies

Yu, generally known as Da Yu in Chinese (Yu the Great is the English Equivalent), was the founder of the Xia Dynasty, the first dynasty in China.

Even today, more than 4,000 years after his death, his influence can still be traced. The Yu culture is the spiritual treasure of the Chinese nation and the source of the history and culture of the Shaoxing Spirit (i.e., “Be perseverant, be industrious, advocate science and be practical and innovative”).

Conducting studies on the Yu culture is a sacred mission entrusted to ZYUFL by the time, and it is our bound duty to take up and accomplish this mission.

The Institute of Yu Culture Studies is one of the key research institutes in the University. It grew out of the Kuijishan Cultural Studies Institute, which was founded in December 2006 and inaugurated on April 18, 2007. Professor Lu Shijie, Executive Vice President of the University and a postgraduate supervisor, was among those who attended the inauguration.

At the inauguration, Professor Hu Cangze, a renowned historian in China and a doctorate supervisor at the Fujian Normal University College of Society and History, was engaged as the Director.

On November 30, 2007, the University held a grand ceremony to appoint its executive director and guest researchers. President Yang Yinqian and other leaders of the University attended the ceremony, where Zhou Youtao was engaged as the Executive Director, and ten well-known experts in Shaoxing, namely Chen Ruimiao, Zhu Yuangui, Sheng Honglang, Shen Jianzhong, Fu Zhenzhao, Qian Maozhu, Meng Wenyong, Liu Yibing, Xu Gongfu, and Si Zhiwei, were respectively engaged as Guest Researchers. It was also decided that the Institute would be moved to the Yu Ling Village.

Under the leadership of President Du Shiwei and President Zhang Yuelong, advisers of the Institute accomplished the feasibility report on “The Tentative Plan of Zhejiang Yuexiu University of Foreign Languages by setting up the International Tourism College Jointly with the Shaoxing Culture and Tourism Group” at the end of 2007.

The report was highly valued by the leaders from relevant departments of the Shaoxing government. It contributed in its own way to the long-term development of the University.

On April 19-21 of 2008, with the careful arrangement and planning by Zhou Youtao, the Executive Director and Researcher, the 2008 Symposium on the Yu Cultural Studies on Both Sides of the Taiwan Straits”, hosted by Shaoxing Taiwan Affairs Office jointly with the Institute, was launched successfully and achieved good social repercussions.

After carefully examining the situation, the University decided on June 13, 2008 to further deepen the studies on the Yu culture on past achievements. It issued the “Decision to Rename the former “Zhejiang Yuexiu University of Foreign Languages Kuijishan Cultural Studies Institute” by the new name of “the Zhejiang Yuexiu University of Foreign Languages Yu Cultural Studies Institute” (DocID ZYUFL-2008-25), appointing Professor Hu Cangze as the Honorary Director, Zhang Yuelong and Du Shiwei as Advisers, Zhou Youtao as the Director, Liu Xunhua as the Standing Deputy Director, and Ding Xiaoyang as the Deputy Director.

This change was a significant move which complied with the tide of the contemporary cultural development. The Institute of Yu Cultural Studies has 12 full-time researchers, including young teachers with either a postgraduate degree or an intermediate professional title.

The research areas of the Institute cover the studies on the Yu Spirit and the traditional Chinese culture, the internationalization of the Yu culture, Yu’s deeds, relics, legends and faith, Da Yu Ling and sacrifices to Yu, Yu’s descendants and surname, and the protection and industrial development of the Yu culture.

The Institute launched an annual large-scale Academic Week, inviting experts to deliver lectures at the University.

The institute publishes research papers on the Kuijishan Studies and the Yu Cultural Studies. It also holds the monthly Reading Session, which has achieved a brand effect and produced good results in the University.

The Institute has so far made remarkable research achievements. It has undertaken eight provincial, two Municipal, and 10 University research projects, and compiled and published such works as Selected Theses on Yu Cultural Studies, Newsletters of Yu Cultural Studies Institute, and over 40 research papers.