A Journey to Explore Innovation
A Journey to Explore Innovation
Day by day, make it anew.
—— The book of Rites·The Great Learning
I had not originally made plans to open a blog like this but was rather encouraged to do so by a good friend. However, once I decided to write a blog, I have given the day it should begin careful consideration. Today, August 26, 2012, is the two-year anniversary of my arrival in the United States to pursue further studies. Being such a significant-to-me date, I chose it to begin this blog. As I reflect on the path that has led me to make the decision to come to the US, I want to summarize the seven hundred and thirty days that I have spent living and working in this foreign land while discussing my future writing and research plans. Mine may seem an unusual life journey revolving as it does around issues pertaining to innovation.
I. Dream of Seven Years
It was as bright as day outside. Breaking free from noise and turbulence we had been experiencing, the plane finally entered into a smooth state. From ten thousand meters high, I gazed down at the sea of clouds. Thousands of thoughts suddenly filled my heart…
In little more than a year after leaving Peking University, the idea of returning grew strong in my heart. At the end of 1999, I was transferred to the Youth League Beijing Committee and appointed deputy secretary, thenceforth launching on my political career, one which from most perspectives seemed to be filled with bright prospects. Compared to gladness from rising through the ranks and to expectations of future promotions, I was more pleased to be given the opportunity to put my educational knowledge to practical use and verification outside the “ivory towers” of academia. The transition from the campus into the “real” world was an exciting one for me, full of joy and even a bit of impatience to achieve success and overcome the challenges inherent to the office of which I had been given charge. Running among endless business meetings and entertainment obligations, growing accustomed to the applause, flattery and smiling faces I encountered as a part of my position, as well as facing successfully the attendant struggles and difficulties my office presented, I seemed, on the surface at least, to be a happy and fortunate young man. Yet, at the same time I often found myself confused and bewildered. The idea of continuing work at a university as a scholar had steadily sprouted in my heart and mind. Such a return to comparatively simple enjoyment as well as a personally fulfilling life, and to do something I truly love while still in my prime did not disappear or even weaken when I was promoted to the office of secretary at the end of 2001.
It was in the summer of 2003 when I made the decision to return to academia. Although I seldom mentioned it to others, I had privately started all kinds of preparatory work. Change is inevitable; and what have to be well chosen are the timing and the manner of goodbye. My return to school is a certain move; and what need to be confirmed are the specific university and research field. In summer 2005 when I finished my dissertation defense for Peking University’s Law School, I formally reported my thoughts to the leadership at Beijing Committee of the Communist Party of China, and fortunately secured their understanding and support. My plan then was to take one year off to study abroad, further my study on the legislation of digital governance- research that I started during my doctoral period, and decide on my future career path upon my return. So, in my spare time, I began taking English courses and contacting overseas universities for application-related matters.
However, things took a twist in spring 2006. With no knowledge in advance, I was sent to work in Changping District. Offered such trust from my superiors and the organization, and seeing the expectations from cadres and people of Changping, I made a commitment in an official talk with the municipal leadership, half a year later, to fully dedicate myself to Changping and put aside for the moment my study plans. Such a promise was completely from my heart and out of my own volition. I have long held the firm belief to accomplish whatever task I have chosen, or those life’s opportunities have presented me, to the very best of my abilities. I want always to be able to move on without regret. I also would like to make sure every time I have performed my responsibilities in such a manner that those following me will not be troubled by things I have left undone or incorrectly done. Besides, I soon discovered Changping District to be wonderfully lovable and very much worth my unreserved devotion. Therefore, in the subsequent four years in Changping, I never brought up the plan of studying abroad again. Yet certainly, I never abandoned those thoughts either.
In June 2010, I at last realized my dream to return to the university. During the four years in Changping, I took the office of governor and party chief, in sequence, and completed the two historical tasks of undertaking the Olympics projects and serving the national holiday celebration. In November 2010, I made a formal application to the parent organization and leadership to leave the office and rejoin the university faculty following a period of study and research. In the first half of 2010, I resigned from office as party chief of Changping, became a member of the county bureau level leadership training class at the Party School of CPC Beijing Committee, and ultimately, joined the faculty of Beijing Normal University… Unhindered as it appeared, the process was full of twists and turns. Yet in general, I was lucky. It was indeed not easy to complete the transformation of identity and change of career with maximum understanding and minimum attention!
The aircraft landed smoothly at Boston Logan International Airport. A couple of days ago, a typhoon passed through the New England region. Although it did not severely affect local residents, the ravages of a summer storm could still be seen upon leaving the terminal. In this dark night of wind and rain, new life began …
II. Studying at Harvard
After a hectic first month, things settled down for the most part. One friend who had business in the States came as promised and brought me six cartons containing about three hundred Chinese books. When attending the welcome dinner arranged by Harvard China Fund, I had my first informal speech in Harvard. The dozen of attendees invited to the dinner party were all institution heads with expertise on China’s issues. Some of them were internationally known Sinologists. I have consequently kept up communications and established good relations with a number of them. In our future conversations, they repeatedly mentioned that “very impressive” speech I made the other evening.
“… My supervisor once asked me, ‘So many scholars have written so many books and articles, but who really listen to their opinions? Why do you have to join them?’ My answer was, ‘I chose such a transition to scholarship, only to gain happiness and contentment in pursuit of knowledge. I do not care particularly if my opinions are adopted or even my voice heard by others.’ Now, when I am able to see the Harvard motto of ‘VERITAS’ almost every day, I am reassured that I have come to the right place.”
Harvard University, praised as “spiritual home” by many scholars, has now finally become a new starting point in my journey towards knowledge and truth!
Later, I came to see that not just Harvard, but Boston, Massachusetts and even the greater part of Eastern America are all treasure troves to observe and reflect on the nation’s innovation! The position held by some Chinese scholar that “ East America is about politics and West America about innovation” seemed indeed biased and superficial.
I set for myself three tasks for my initial two years at Harvard: reading, observing and thinking.
I finished over one hundred Chinese books, which for the past decade I “had the money to purchase but not the time to read”. I took twelve innovation-related courses at Harvard and MIT as well as participated in nearly a hundred academic activities, large and small. I also collected books and papers needed for writing, and formulated preliminary research ideas and a basic framework for my study.
I visited over ten US cities and towns, and conducted over fifty research-related discussions and interviews. I also had the privilege to borrow a spacious house from a friend. Through access to local communities, I gained in-depth understanding of how Americans truly live their lives. When my elder daughter later joined me in the States, for schooling and medical assistance, my knowledge and thoughts about America’s health care and educational systems was further deepened. In a phrase, what I have harvested in the past two years far exceeded the seeds of my expectations.
With fewer phone calls and barely any banquet requests, I was finally able to enjoy tranquility and freedom. Away from the distractions of a busy social schedule, I was able to hear and listen to the yearnings of my heart. To have adequate time to savor knowledge and truth is surely bliss for me, someone who needs time for contemplation. A friend came to the States, on a special trip to visit me, to find out how things were going for me. He said to me before his departure, “We were all very worried when you made your choice. We even had a sense of tragedy. But now, having seen for myself how you study and live here, I cannot help but applaud for you. What you are doing seems heroic!” I appreciated my friend’s concerns and understanding, but I explained to him, “In fact, it was not tragic then nor heroic now. It is simply that I chose at middle age to have the normal and ordinary life of a scholar. Such, I think, is a true portrayal of my two years’ at Harvard as a visiting scholar.
III. Aiming at innovation
In the States, I have focused my research on innovation theory and its applications. My goal is to explore the system and mechanism issues involved in constructing an innovative nation. My plan is to spend at least one, and at most three years putting together a piece of academic work, which I trust will have value and which I have tentatively entitled “Innovation in America”. From today on, I will publish my thoughts regularly on this blog, sharing my experiences and insights with all of you, in hope of responses and suggestions. A bird sings out to draw friends!
Such research directions, thoughts and plans were finalized at the beginning of 2009 when I was still in Changping. After working in Changping for one year, I gradually formed the idea of establishing a regional innovation system that integrates industry, learning and research. Centering on this idea, I mobilized forces to carry out lots of research work. While the work was fruitful, I discovered there was a lack of both academic achievements and practical experience in the field. There were too many blank areas. Digging further, I found, in stark contrast with the international community, domestic study on innovation was similar in content and without much depth, making it incredibly difficult to achieve such a lofty goal as building an innovative nation. I am someone who would rather understand something in the most complete fashion possible before taking action than do something before having figured out how. As I comprehended increasingly better about innovation, I find myself more eager than ever to learn still more. Through reconsidering what I had been doing since mid 1990s, I decided to orient my research toward “innovation” following my transition to become a scholar. I am determined to exhaust the rest of my life on a topic with such major theoretical and practical significance.
I taught in Peking University for five years after graduating from its master’s program. My research interests then were higher education and university campus culture. I not only published papers and books, but organized academic seminars as well. During Peking University’s one hundredth anniversary and the celebration of the eightieth anniversary of the “May Fourth” Movement, I called for contemporary youths, especially young college students, to be builders with innovativeness. Such constituted the main theme of my work: to nurture rational builders who “promote innovation and transcend passion”. After taking office at the Youth League Beijing Committee, I again proposed the working mentality of “construction, service, innovation and development”. By advocating turning the Youth League into a learning and service-oriented youth organization, I hoped to achieve the modernization of youth work.
From Peking University to the Youth League and then to Changping, my main line of work had been experimenting with and exploring “innovation”. To integrate other theories and practical issues under the framework of “innovation” was the important goal I assiduously sought after during my later term in Changping. With such thoughts and directions, I became more than ever determined to leave my political post for scholarship and faculty work. For me, it is no problem to have a late start and a slow speed- as long as the direction is correct. Yet, it is very troublesome and too risky to have a high starting point and fast speed if one is heading in the wrong direction. In this sense, grateful as I am to be moving on my life into the field of research and study, a large portion of my heart remains with the colleagues and friends in both the Youth League and Changping. The six years spent working in the Youth League Beijing Committee and the four years in Changping District had blessed me with invaluable experience in youth work and local governance, respectively. In addition, these years not only allowed me to devote my wisdom and labor to a beloved land and community, but also recalibrated the direction for my research. Most importantly, I was made completely fearless in chasing my dreams! I am forever thankful for the Youth League and Beijing’s outstanding youth group! I forever appreciate Changping and its people from the bottom of my heart!
It was too in Changping where I developed my hobbies of climbing mountains, and meditating while walking. I often enjoyed having simple and delicious food at roadside shops and farmyards. Whenever I walk along Charles River or order simple food from the many small restaurants in Harvard Square, I experience a joy similar to that with which I grew accustomed back home! It is the pleasure of delicious food and breathtaking scenery; it is also satisfaction from pursuing “innovation” which I shall blog about to share with you, my friends, in days to come.
Having written thus much and into the wee hours Beijing time. Let’s, without further ado, hit the road at this night-ending moment!
A Chinese version of the article can be found at Sina Financial and Economics Blog.
