To guide young students to strengthen their faith, enrich their spirit and stay firm in ideology through grassroots and people-serving practice, the Undergraduate Party Branch of Mechanical Engineering actively called on all Party members, development targets and activists to carry out the "Return to Hometown" social practice during the 2026 winter vacation. Members visited revolutionary heritage sites to trace the original aspiration, experienced the pulse of the times at the grassroots level, and conveyed warmth through volunteer services.

History is the best textbook, and the red gene is the most profound spiritual foundation. With reverence, students visited local red education bases across Guangdong, Shandong, Henan, Anhui, Hunan and other provinces. It was not only a field visit but also a spiritual dialogue across time and space. When young eyes met profound history and rational engineering thinking collided with the pure patriotism of revolutionaries, the red gene was quietly passed on in the blood of the new-era youth.

"Listening to the stories of revolutionary martyrs fighting bravely, I was deeply moved and shocked. It is precisely because of these countless predecessors who sacrificed their lives that we enjoy a peaceful and happy life today. This visit to the red education base was a profound ideological baptism, spiritual tempering and original aspiration education. Although we no longer need to shed blood as they did, the mission of building a strong country in science and technology and achieving high-level self-reliance in science and technology is equally arduous."

— Chen Zhiyou, Grade 2024, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation

"The general was highly decorated but lived a simple life; he held a high position but was strict with himself. His conduct deeply touched me. In those war years, countless such predecessors fulfilled their missions with their lives, winning national independence and people’s happiness. Peace today is hard-won, and we have no reason to slack off. Living in a new era, we should draw strength from revolutionary ancestors and turn patriotism and dedication into concrete actions."

— Huang Xinyao, Grade 2024, Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering

Alma mater is where dreams set sail and spirit inherits. This winter vacation, many students returned to their high schools as ambassadors, sharing stories of Shantou University, the charm of engineering majors and insights of growth with younger students.

"In each question and answer, I was not only a transmitter of information but also a sharer of experience. I recalled that I once stood at such a booth in senior three, asking seniors for advice. Now the role has reversed, making me truly understand the meaning of 'passing the torch'. As a probationary Party member, it is an honor and a responsibility to help and influence others with my own experience."

— Zhang Zejian, Grade 2023, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation

"As a student of Shantou University, I combined campus knowledge with social practice through winter enrollment promotion, improving my public speaking, communication and on-site response abilities. Meanwhile, as an alumnus, I built a bridge between my alma mater and Shantou University, enhancing my sense of belonging, responsibility and comprehensive quality, and accumulating practical experience for future career development."

— Jiang Juncong, Grade 2024, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation

The grassroots is the best classroom, and the people are the best teachers. During the vacation, students stepped out of campus into communities and hometowns, carrying out volunteer services. They measured public feelings with footsteps, conveyed warmth with hard work, and understood the profound meaning of "serving the people".

These photos capture warm moments of Xiong Hanyun’s "Return to Hometown" practice. She joined the public welfare activity "Bread Runners".

On cold late nights, she and fellow volunteers delivered hot meals and winter warmth to homeless people. Every part of the activity made her truly feel the value of labor and dedication. A simple "thank you" from the homeless deeply touched and strengthened her heart.

— Xiong Hanyun, Grade 2024, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation

During winter vacation, Chen Jiqiang participated in a warm public welfare activity organized by the Women’s Federation of Shiwan Town. Over two days, he joined children in fun classes, including science experiments, handcrafts, picture-book reading and popular science. Seeing their enlightened expressions and cheerful laughter, he felt his efforts were worthwhile.

— Chen Jiqiang, Grade 2024, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation

As night fell, Chen Chongyun wore a uniform vest and provided route guidance at busy intersections during the Shantou Spring Festival Fireworks Gala. Standing for six hours from evening to 11 PM, he answered countless inquiries. Witnessing the crowd, he changed from an onlooker to a participant and guardian, realizing the mutual nourishment of volunteer service: devoting time and energy, gaining trust and love for life and society. The fireworks faded, but the volunteer spirit remained, becoming a profound mark of his youth growth.

— Chen Chongyun, Grade 2023, Intelligent Manufacturing Engineering

Responding to the branch’s call, Lin Hongyu interned at the Party School of CPC Chancheng District Committee for half a month. He assisted in basic work and participated in ideological education activities, gaining ideological baptism from red culture and theoretical study. He deepened his understanding of national and local conditions, fostered patriotism, tempered his character, and realized the responsibilities of youth in the new era.

— Lin Hongyu, Grade 2023, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation

As a mechanical engineering student, Ao Runrong interned at Shenzhen Xinhengke Electronics Co., Ltd. during winter vacation. She worked on the production line, participating in equipment debugging, programming and product testing, applying classroom knowledge to real production. She realized: "As an engineering student and a youth drawing closer to the Party, the baton of building a strong manufacturing country has been passed to our generation."

— Ao Runrong, Grade 2024, Mechanical Design, Manufacturing and Automation

Taking the winter vacation social practice as a new starting point, the Undergraduate Party Branch of Mechanical Engineering will continue to deepen the education philosophy of "integrating knowledge with practice".

It will guide young students to take root in practice, foster patriotism, and encourage them to strive with dedication and shoulder the responsibilities of the times.

With youthful and striving selves, they will write a youth answer worthy of the times in the vibrant practice of building a modern socialist country in all respects.

Photos: Undergraduate Party Branch of Mechanical Engineering Photos & Text: Chen Zhiyou, Jiang Juncong