On June 20, the “Seminar on Constructing China’s Independent Educational Knowledge System & English Edition Launch Ceremony of Gu Mingyuan’s Educational Thought” was held in Beijing. The event was hosted by the Faculty of Education of Beijing Normal University (BNU), Educational Science Publishing House, Institute of International and Comparative Education at BNU, and BNU International Education Center, with support from the Beijing Mingyuan Education Academy and Springer Nature.

Prof. Zhou Zuoyu, Director of UNESCO International Research and Training Centre for Rural Education (INRULED), attended the ceremony and participated in the panel discussion on “Pathways to Building China’s Independent Educational Knowledge System.” Prof. Zhou proposed three key approaches: Firstly, return to “nearby” communities by engaging deeply with on-the-ground educational practices. Secondly, break down internal-external barriers to foster integration of global and Chinese perspectives and interdisciplinary collaboration. Thirdly, align with educational development principles, respecting natural rhythms of change while avoiding disruptive interventions.

Gu Mingyuan’s Educational Thought comprehensively reviews Professor Gu’s outstanding contributions to China’s educational theory and reform since he began his teaching career, aiming to crystallize and promote his scholarly spirit. The English edition, co-published by Educational Science Publishing House and Springer Nature, is globally available now.