In university education, there are teachers who are neither ostentatious nor self-aggrandizing, yet they illuminate students' paths to growth through their quiet dedication. Mr. Wu Jiajun, a faculty member in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Shantou University's College of Engineering, is precisely such a young educator who devotes his heart and soul to guiding students in scientific and innovation competitions.
"If students come to me for help, I do my best to assist them." During the interview, Wu Jiajun spoke calmly yet with a resolute tone. Since joining the university in October 2021, he never actively sought to take on competition coaching responsibilities. However, after a chance opportunity to guide students in a competition, he has since forged an inseparable bond with his students' journey of competing.
From "Incidental Assistance" to "Proactive Platform Building": A Two-Way Trust
"Students don't call me 'teacher'; they call me 'Brother Jun'," Wu Jiajun said with a smile. This affectionate address stems from the deep trust he has built with his students. Initially, he only assisted in guiding one competition project. Because he is approachable, several students often came to him after the competition to discuss various matters—life, studies, postgraduate entrance exams, and competitions—touching on almost everything. He also shared his own experiences of participating in postgraduate复试 (second-round examinations). He told his students, "Many students have strong abilities, but their grades may be average. Competition experience can be a significant plus."
These words enlightened students who were feeling lost about their further studies. During the summer break, students proactively approached Wu Jiajun, hoping he would coach them in more competitions. Under his guidance, one student published a review paper in a journal—to the student's surprise, the journal not only waived the publication fee but also sent an honorarium. Gradually, the name "Brother Jun" spread among the students.
"Sometimes students come to me to discuss postgraduate school recommendations, competitions, or their CVs, and we work through these things together," Wu Jiajun said. He not only guides students on how to prepare for competitions but also pays close attention to their long-term development. He proactively follows mechanical engineering-related competitions and often makes targeted recommendations based on students' academic foundations and interests. To allow students to focus on competition preparation, he frequently takes on trivial tasks such as stamping documents and submitting materials.
"Much of the time, I am also growing together with my students," Wu Jiajun noted. He views guiding students in competitions as "mutual assistance." He believes that teachers merely point the way; the real effort comes from the students, and sometimes students can even provide him with inspiration and new ideas.
From "All-Night Preparation" to "Away Competitions": Days Spent Side by Side with Students
Recalling his experiences leading students to competitions, Wu Jiajun said, "Sometimes I stayed up all night with students in the office revising materials, even until three or four in the morning." What stands out most is the "sprint moments" of competition preparation. On one occasion, a student team was participating in the "iCAN International College Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition." The university secured two spots for the national finals, but faced the challenge that "students had classes and it was difficult to gather them." Wu Jiajun obtained the students' class schedules, called the five students to his office in the evenings, and urged them to catch up on their progress, running models and organizing defense materials together. To meet the submission deadline of noon on December 12th, they pulled several all-nighters.
In August 2025, he led a team to Suzhou for the National Finals of the 27th China Robot and Artificial Intelligence Competition. He stayed with the students at the gymnasium from morning till night. Knowing that the students had not eaten breakfast, he bought them bread and water. He stayed with the students, and it wasn't until nearly 11 p.m. that they had their first proper meal of the day—eating just one meal a day, but five bowls each. He still vividly remembers this.
Wu Jiajun recalled another time when he accompanied students to a competition in Zhuhai. To save on expenses, the students booked an apartment costing 69 yuan per night, located six or seven kilometers from the competition venue. "Our students are frugal and hardworking. They deserve better platforms and opportunities."
From "Competition Guidance" to "Long-Term Planning": Growth is the Core and Foundation
In Wu Jiajun's view, winning competition awards is certainly important, but what matters more is ensuring that students "genuinely learn something" in the process. He acts more as a "long-term planner" for his students, extending his guidance from competitions to postgraduate school recommendations, entrance exams, and employment, helping pave the way for them step by step.
He consistently upholds the principle of "academics first." He believes that students should only participate in competitions when they have the spare capacity to do so, and that competitions should not be allowed to negatively affect their grades. One student experienced a decline in grades due to competition preparation. Wu Jiajun subsequently spoke with the student, hoping he would refocus his energy on his studies. His efforts paid off, and the student was eventually successfully recommended for postgraduate studies. Speaking of this student's transformation, Wu Jiajun's tone was filled with gratification. "Competitions can add extra points, but academic performance is fundamental. We cannot let competitions hinder students' long-term development."
Another student, during a production internship in Shiyan, Hubei Province, had a brief conversation with Wu Jiajun and shared his thoughts about taking the postgraduate entrance exam, saying he wanted to apply to Shenzhen University. Drawing on his years of experience in postgraduate admissions, Wu Jiajun analyzed the situation with the student and suggested that he might consider applying to a university offering better value. Later, the student sought his advice again, expressing confusion and concerns about specialized coursework. After further discussion, the student decisively abandoned his original plan and applied to a 211 university in Beijing. He ultimately succeeded, scoring 148 out of 150 on the specialized course and achieving a total score of 358.
He also encourages students to form interdisciplinary teams and help each other. He does not want students to be guarded with one another internally but rather to strive for more honors for the university.
The Legacy of Teaching Lies Not in Fame or Profit, But in the Original Aspiration. Although coaching competitions is not directly related to his personal research direction, Wu Jiajun has never regarded it as an "extra burden." He believes that guiding students is a teacher's "fundamental duty," and the accumulation of competition achievements is also inseparable from the college's tradition of passing on experience. From taking the baton from teachers such as Chen Shaoke to the growing number of young faculty members now joining, the Department of Mechanical Engineering has fostered a strong competition culture and atmosphere.
In Wu Jiajun, we see a "quiet perseverance." Through his steady, long-term companionship and his simple commitment to "do my best to help students when they come to me," he embodies the original aspiration of a teacher and has become an important guide on his students' path to growth and success. His story serves as a vivid illustration of the cultivation of teaching ethics in higher education: a teacher not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures talents with heart and leads by example.
