— Joint Event Between Anting Town Social Work Office and Our University
As golden autumn arrives, the vibrant red leaves signal the Double Ninth Festival once again. On the afternoon of October 11, the Anting Town Social Work Office held a themed event titled “Warmth in Chongyang, Filial Piety First Among Virtues”, along with the “Happiness Through the Seasons” Public Open Day, at the Anting Social Welfare Institute. As representatives of our university’s partner institution, Vice Dean Hao Zhenjin of the School of Art & Design and social work faculty member Lu Feijie attended the event and visited six students currently interning at three local elderly care institutions in Anting Town.
Anting Town Party Committee Member Ye Jun presented the “Love and Care” award to partnering institutions. Deputy Mayor Xie Zuocan issued letters of appreciation to Shanghai Polytechnic Vocational College and Shanghai Urban Construction Vocational College, thanking them for their strong support in talent cultivation, integration of industry and education, and community development in Anting.
The event featured vibrant performances by both staff and residents of the Anfu Welfare Institute. A highlight was the fashion show “Watery Charm of Jiangnan”, performed by the institute’s modeling team and our student interns, which captured the elegance of southern Chinese river towns and received enthusiastic applause.
In the interactive “Mystery Box” activity, resident Grandma Yang Chunying warmly invited Mr. Lu Feijie to join in the fun. He drew a beautifully crafted wool scarf from a box and, in a touching gesture, personally wrapped it around Grandma Yang’s neck — a simple act that reflected deep respect for elders, filling the room with warmth and heartfelt emotion.
Following the performances, a roundtable discussion was held in the second-floor meeting room with attendees including Deputy Mayor Xie Zuocan, Director Tao Ying of the Social Work Office, heads of the Anting, Fangtai, and Huangdu Welfare Institutes, Vice Dean Hao Zhenjin, Mr. Lu Feijie, 10 interns, and faculty and students from Shanghai Urban Construction Vocational College.
Deputy Mayor Xie welcomed all participants and praised the face-to-face discussion as a valuable exchange. He encouraged everyone to share freely and reflect on their experiences.
The ten interns each shared their insights from their practical work, covering areas such as professional skills, reflections on life’s value, and the development of the smart elderly care industry. Two students became emotional while recounting their experiences, showing the profound impact of their work.
The directors of the welfare institutes commended the students for their dedication, compassion, and patience, expressing gratitude to the school for supplying such capable interns. They hoped students would continue to rotate across different roles, gain diverse experience, and grow into key contributors to the elderly care sector.
Mr. Lu Feijie praised the students’ performance and encouraged them to continue learning, pursue certifications, and build strong professional competencies. Vice Dean Hao Zhenjin thanked the government and institutions for providing valuable practice opportunities and praised the students for their logical, professional, and reflective presentations. Director Tao Ying emphasized the significance of end-of-life care and posed the question: “How can we ensure the final stage of an elderly person’s life is longer, broader, and better?” She stressed that eldercare workers must possess empathy, negotiation, leadership, and professionalism.
In his closing remarks, Deputy Mayor Xie applauded the students for having “light in their eyes and love in their hearts.” He noted that although their internships were short, they had already begun to demonstrate deep reflection. He encouraged organizations to treat interns as employees in their work, family in their care, and partners in professional development.
This joint activity showcased the social responsibility and commitment of our university’s Social Work program. Through collaboration between government, academia, and industry, we aim to cultivate high-quality talent, enhance social services for the elderly, and contribute to a more compassionate and supportive society.
Written by: Dai Yaxin, Fu Yuxuan
