Graduation projects promote village revitalization in Ninghai

Students from 12 colleges in the Yangtze River Delta region participate in an event initiated by Ninghai county, East China's Zhejiang province, in which they will complete 60 graduation projects in the county. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A group of students will complete 60 graduation projects in Ninghai county, East China's Zhejiang province over three months, as part of the county's "village revitalization through art" program.

The launch ceremony for the projects was held in Hutou village on Feb 27, attracting professors and students from 12 colleges in the Yangtze River Delta region, including Donghua University, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, and Zhejiang University of Technology.

Over the course of the following three months, students will complete their graduation projects in Hutou and Xiafan villages, focusing on environmental art, visual communication, design of cultural and creative products, and digital media.

Residents of the two villages will serve as tutors offering help on the projects, some of which will be utilized in the villages. 

Zheng Yuxin, a student at Zhejiang University of Technology, is creating a landscape design for a garden in the village. He is attempting to combine traditional Chinese medicine culture with popular modern landscapes.

"We need to think more about the real needs of villagers, both elderly and children" said Zheng, "I hope my project will be of use to the village."

Jan Jozwik, assistant professor from the University of Nottingham Ningbo China, participated in the launch ceremony. The university will also participate in the event. Jozwik expressed interest in the new model for graduation projects.

"It is a great opportunity for students to make their ideas tangible," he said.

Jozwik was also inspired by ancient buildings in the village. "I'm thinking about renovating the insides of these buildings while preserving their exteriors.”