Introduction

The Arts and Crafts program at Nanning University is a core program in the school's "Six Major Clusters of Applied Undergraduate Programs for Local Industries." It falls under the "Cultural Industry" category. The program began recruiting students in 2015 and currently has approximately 300 enrolled students and 14 full-time teachers.

This program is a key program in private universities in the autonomous region and a characteristic program at the university level. The goal of the program is to become a highly influential applied undergraduate program in the region within approximately five years, leading among similar universities in Guangxi Province.

Cultivation Objectives

This program aims to cultivate students who uphold the party's basic line, adapt to social and economic development needs, and achieve holistic development in morality, intelligence, physical fitness, aesthetics, and labor skills. Students will acquire a solid foundation in the basic theory and creative methods of art design and possess the ability to engage in creative design, design presentation, and craftsmanship. They will also develop a solid professional knowledge base, keen aesthetic judgment, a modern craftsman spirit, and corresponding design thinking, expression, and communication skills. Graduates will be able to work in cultural and creative product research institutions, and handicraft production companies, and engage in the design and production of handicrafts and the research and development of tourism cultural and creative products. They will be highly qualified applied talents with strong practical abilities and innovative spirit.

Teaching Staff

In this major, there is one professor, three associate professors, five senior arts and crafts masters, three lecturers, and two teaching assistants. Over 70% of the full-time teachers have a master's degree or above, and there are currently six teachers pursuing doctoral degrees. The teaching staff possesses extensive teaching experience, practical experience, industry resources, and relevant professional titles. They are members of the China Calligraphers Association, Vice Presidents of the Guangxi Calligraphers Association (also serving as the Director of the Education Professional Committee), members of the Guangxi Artists Association, experts in senior professional title evaluation appointed by the Guangxi Education Department, experts in senior arts and crafts master title evaluation in Guangxi, experts of Guangxi art unification examination marking, Chinese Arts and Crafts Masters, President of the Qinzhou Nilong Pottery Association, Vice Chairman of the Guangxi Arts and Crafts Association, Chinese Jade Carving Art Master, President of the Nanning Arts and Crafts Association, Chief Technician of Jiangxi Ceramics Craft, and one of the "Hundred-thousand-million Talents" in Jiangxi Province.

Characteristics

To meet the development needs of tourism and rural revitalization, this program aims to cultivate undergraduate arts and crafts talents who can serve local communities and grassroots levels. It introduces industry masters, scholars, and other experts to establish a distinguished teacher team, forming a "five-in-one" teaching team. Additionally, it establishes a network of master studios that align with the industry chain, promoting the integration of education and industry, school-enterprise cooperation, and synergistic talent development. Furthermore, it builds a dynamic platform for the inheritance of traditional arts and crafts in Nanning City, facilitating the prosperous development of the local cultural industry.

Teaching and Research Achievements

The teachers have achieved remarkable research outcomes. They have been awarded the second prize for "Characteristic Demonstration Classroom" in the Philosophy and Social Sciences category among undergraduate universities in Guangxi. They have also won two-second prizes in the Guangxi University Teaching Software Application Competition. Additionally, they have received project funding from the Nanning Science and Technology Bureau for one project and four projects from the Education Department for the enhancement of young and mid-career teachers' abilities. Their works have been recognized by the "Bronze Drum Award", the highest award for literary creation in Guangxi, and several of their works have been collected by the district party committee. They have won numerous awards in the "Golden Phoenix" Innovative Product Design Competition, and gold, silver, and bronze awards in the "Baihua Cup" China Arts and Crafts Fine Products Award, as well as two "Outstanding Works" accolades in the Guangxi Artwork Exhibition.

Talent Development

The cultivation of applied skills among students in this major has shown initial results and has been recognized by various sectors of society. In 2019, the first graduation exhibition was held at the Nanning Museum, where student works received high recognition from experts in the field, including the President of the Guangxi Arts and Crafts Association. Students have won the Guangxi Gold Award for three consecutive years in the "China Internet+ College Students Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition." They have also received two national bronze awards. From 2017 to 2021, students' creative works have received national-level awards in professional discipline competitions more than 15 times and regional-level awards more than 20 times.