Author: Lai Xiuyu 

Publisher: College of Liberal Arts

Date: March 25, 2025

On March 23, 2025, Jinan University, in collaboration with the China World Chinese Literature Society, held the Senior Scholars and the Construction of World Chinese Literature Discipline: Professor Rao Pengzi Memorial Conference and Prose Collection Press Conference. This gathering aimed to honor the academic contributions of the late Professor Rao Pengzi and to reflect on the significant influence of senior scholars in the ongoing development of world Chinese literature.

(Memorial Conference in Progress)

Professor Rao Pengzi (1935-2024) was a distinguished literary theorist and educator, recognized for his extensive contributions to the field. He previously held notable positions, including Vice President of Jinan University, Vice Chairman of the Guangdong Writers Association, and the inaugural President of the China World Chinese Literature Society. His impact on interdisciplinary innovation and academic discourse left a lasting mark on the literary community, earning him multiple awards such as the Outstanding Contribution Expert honor from the State Council and the Lifetime Achievement Award for Chinese Comparative Literature.

During the conference, Sun Yu, Secretary of the Party Committee at Jinan University, delivered an opening speech that celebrated Professor Rao's transformative work in academic research and discipline construction. Sun emphasized Rao’s groundbreaking contributions across various disciplines, including literature, art, and comparative literature, and praised his ability to foster innovation and cultivate new ideas through interdisciplinary approaches.

(President Sun Yu is delivering an opening speech)

Wei Zhonglin, former Deputy Director of the Education Department of Guangdong Province, noted the professor's exceptional insight into discipline construction. He recounted how Rao promoted a strategy of creating, expanding, and strengthening advantages, ensuring that Jinan University remained at the forefront of academic advancements. Professor Jiang Shuzhuo, a consultant with the China World Chinese Literature Society and former Party Secretary at Jinan University, highlighted Rao’s pivotal role in developing the overseas Chinese literature discipline and building a solid foundation for its future.

The conference featured additional tributes to Professor Rao by various scholars, including Li Yunfei, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, Cheng Guofu, Executive Director of the Collaborative Innovation Center for Chinese Culture, and He Zhongming, Director of the Chinese Department. Each speaker acclaimed Rao’s keen insights and unwavering dedication to academic excellence.

A key highlight of the event was the release of Flower Growing from Dirt, a collection of Rao's essays reflecting his profound insights on literature, life, and society. Pu Ruoxian, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages and a disciple of Professor Rao, honored him by reciting excerpts from this collection.

(Prose Collection Release: Flower Growing from Dirt)

The seminar saw participation from numerous scholars and researchers across various institutions, including Chen Gongzhong, Yang Kuanghan, and Zhao Xifang, as well as overseas Chinese writers like Chen Ruilin and Dai Xiaohua. Faculty and students from Jinan University also contributed to the discussions, exploring Rao’s academic philosophies and the future direction of Chinese literature in a global context.

Participants expressed that the conference was a profound tribute to Professor Rao and a vital continuation of his academic legacy. The discussions not only celebrated his life and achievements but also aimed to promote his enduring spirit within the scholarly community.