On the 23^rd of December, RUC University Council Vice Chairman ZHENG Shuiquan attended the People’s Daily Online University President’s Forum, also presenting at the sub-forum on “How to develop world first-rate curricula and become a first-rate university.” He said that the key to becoming a world first-rate university is to assemble a first-rate team of educators, and that developing first-rate curricula and training first-rate talent is rooted in the strengths of the teaching staff. In his speech, Vice Chairman ZHENG noted that at first glance it appears that the world’s first-rate universities have to meet many criteria, however there really are only four basic premises. First, a world first-rate university must have at its core first-rate curricula; second, a world first-rate university must attract first-rate students, so as to develop first-rate talent; third, the most crucial criteria for ensuring a world first-rate university is assembling a first-rate team of educators; and fourth, a world first-rate university must make a contribution to society, to its country, to its people, and even to the whole of human society. The most famous first-rate universities of the world all achieve significant results in science and cultural innovation in order to spur on the technological development of mankind and progress of human society. He continued, declaring that China’s first-rate universities must make an important contribution to China’s social development. The key to developing a university that is set apart from the others is reliant on its status and unique characteristics. As RUC was the first 'new model' university established by the Party, it enjoys a special position in China’s higher education system. Through 80 years of development it has today become a significant institution of higher learning distinguished by its preponderance in the humanities and social sciences, and is at present working hard towards becoming a forerunner of the “double first-rate” university initiative. At this very moment, RUC is deepening reforms, comprehensively improving on the many strengths of the university. He concluded by making three strong points: first, further strengthen curriculum development; second, lift the standard of personnel training; third, continue commitment to team building. RUC Office of Communications Deputy Director JIANG Ruifeng attended the forum. The People’s Daily Online 2016 University President’s Forum was held in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. This form is aimed at putting into practice the spirit of President XI’s oration at the “2016 National Ideological and Political Work Conference.” The forum dealt broadly with the topic of “Becoming a First-Rate University Through Persistent Cultivation of Virtuous People,” and there were active and deep discussions on the sub-fora topics of “How to Develop World First-Rate Cirricula and Become a First-Rate University,” “How to Firmly Grasp at the Core of Comprehensive Improvement in Personnel Training,” and “Key Points and Difficulties Faced in University Innovation.” Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the People’s Daily XIE Guoming attended the forum and gave an address. Presidents and leaders of over 70 universities from around China also participated in the forum.