Li Jianlong: Forging Talents Through Dedication, Nurturing New Shoots with Passion

News Network (Student Reporter: Zhang Lei) "A teacher is one who imparts truth, teaches knowledge, and resolves doubts." He firmly believes that education is a project where life influences life. At only 37 years old, he has sown the seeds of scientific research in students' hearts and accompanied their growth with the warmth and wisdom of a mentor. To students, he is a "cultivated gentleman proficient in both literary and practical skills"; to colleagues, he is a "down-to-earth problem-solver". He is Associate Professor Li Jianlong from the School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Nanchang University—a young outstanding teacher who illuminates students' future with practical action and enthusiasm.

Teaching and Learning Mutually Promote: Building a "Thinking Arena" from Knowledge Transmission to Capacity Empowerment

Professor Li Jianlong's classes are never one-way knowledge indoctrination, but a vibrant "thinking arena". He teaches core courses such as Principles of Environmental Engineering and Air Pollution Control Engineering, deeply aware that these courses serve as a bridge connecting basic theories with complex engineering practices. To this end, he strives to abandon the traditional "cramming" teaching model and is committed to promoting inquiry-based teaching featuring "student-centered and teacher-led" approaches.

In the class of Industrial Ventilation and Dust Removal Technology, he rarely provides standard answers directly. When facing a complex dust removal system design problem, he divides students into groups and guides them to independently review literature, establish models, and conduct simulation calculations. During the process, he acts more like a coach, constantly posing thought-provoking questions: "Why choose this type of fan?" "Has this layout considered the convenience of later maintenance?" "How would you adjust the plan if your budget is cut by 30%?" Such Socratic questioning compels students to step out of their comfort zones of textbook learning, delving into the logic, constraints, and optimal solutions behind engineering problems.

The "Industrial Ventilation and Dust Removal Simulation Experiment Platform" he built is an extension of this educational philosophy. Students can boldly design, repeatedly experiment, and even "make mistakes" in a virtual environment without bearing the risk of damaging physical equipment. A student sighed: "In Teacher Li's classes, what we learn is not rigidly memorized formulas, but a thinking mode to solve complex problems. He makes us believe that we have the ability to face and resolve engineering challenges in the real world." This transformation from "knowledge transmission" to "capacity empowerment" lies at the core of Li Jianlong's educational philosophy.

Dedication and Practicality: Seeking Solutions in Details, Innovating in Overcoming Challenges

Professor Li Jianlong has long been engaged in research on air pollution control technologies and equipment. His fruitful scientific achievements stem from his obsession and perseverance in addressing engineering challenges. He has presided over 2 projects funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China and more than 10 provincial-level projects including the Jiangxi Provincial Distinguished Young Scientist Fund. He has published over 50 academic papers, obtained more than 40 authorized national invention patents and 3 US patents, and won 7 provincial and ministerial-level awards such as the First Prize of Jiangsu Provincial Science and Technology Award, the First Prize of Science and Technology Award of China Occupational Safety and Health Association, and the Second Prize of Jiangxi Provincial Science and Technology Progress Award.

His research focuses on "pulse jet cleaning technology for dust filter cartridges", a key technology crucial to the efficient and stable operation of industrial equipment. From numerical simulation to structural innovation, from mechanism research to equipment development, he leads his team to gradually advance theoretical research toward engineering applications. He often tells his team members: "Scientific research is not a castle in the air. Every model and every patent we develop should be committed to solving the 'pain points' in actual production." This strong problem-oriented approach ensures that his scientific research always maintains vigorous vitality and practical value.

Devoted to Nurturing Talents: Guiding Hand-in-Hand, Opening the Door to Scientific Research from the "Heart"

Beyond the classroom, Professor Li Jianlong devotes a great deal of effort to guiding students in scientific research and competitions. He is a "navigator" on students' path of innovation.

"Teacher Li is the one who led me onto the path of scientific research hand-in-hand," recalled a student who joined his research group as a freshman. This "hand-in-hand" guidance is reflected in every group meeting and every revision of papers. Li Jianlong would go through papers with students "word by word". Such nearly rigorous meticulousness stems from his reverence for academia and high sense of responsibility for students' growth. He firmly believes that such strict training cultivates not only academic standards but also lifelong scientific literacy.

This rigor is also deeply embedded in the daily life of the laboratory. During the interview, one of his students expressed a profound understanding: "I think Teacher Li's educational style can be described as 'rigorous'. Whether it's experimental procedures or the use of instruments, we must follow safety manuals and specifications." This adherence to procedures is not rigid, but a manifestation of reverence for scientific truth and high responsibility for students' safety. He often advises students: "To engage in scientific research, you must be fully responsible for the experimental process and results; otherwise, it is difficult to achieve meaningful outcomes." This statement makes students understand that a sense of responsibility is an indispensable quality for researchers, and even a basic principle for personal and professional conduct.

He not only imparts knowledge but also focuses on igniting the passion for scientific research in students' hearts. He sincerely listens to every student's ideas, regardless of their maturity. When students put forward different viewpoints, he never easily negates them, but encourages them to present their reasons and jointly explore feasibility. "Just move forward boldly; I will always be your reliable support," this sentence, deeply remembered by students, endows them with unlimited courage to explore. Under his guidance, many undergraduates have published papers as first authors in top SCI journals, achieving a brilliant transformation from scientific research "novices" to innovators. The student teams he mentors have won more than 20 awards in various national competitions, and he himself was nominated for the 2024 Nanchang University "Top Ten Teaching Models" and won the Special Prize in the Provincial Teaching Innovation Competition.

Both Teacher and Friend: A "Shield" and a "Light", Showing True Character in Times of Need

Professor Li Jianlong's personality charm is more fully displayed beyond the classroom and laboratory. Students evaluate him as "more like a friend and confidant than a teacher".

In terms of communication methods, Teacher Li also adheres to his own principles. When interviewing his students, one student mentioned: "I usually prefer to use WeChat because it's convenient, but Teacher Li insists that I communicate with him face-to-face in private to make the exchange more thorough." This seemingly "inconvenient" request is actually full of profound meaning. He hopes that through face-to-face interactions, he can more accurately grasp students' thinking processes and emotional changes, and provide timely and in-depth guidance. A profound face-to-face conversation is far more valuable than fragmented online messages.

At the same time, in educating students, Teacher Li not only imparts knowledge but also teaches them the principles of life, work, and the ability to adapt to changes. Here are two subtle and touching stories:

Story 1: A Gratitude Lesson Across Thousands of Miles

This year, he specially took a student to Shanghai to donate platelets to his former mentor, Professor Chen Jianxin. On the way, he told the student: "When I first started working, it was Teacher Chen who guided me step by step. I will always remember this kindness." This journey has long transcended an ordinary act of mutual assistance; it gave the student a silent lesson on "inheritance" and "gratitude", allowing them to witness the most precious human touch and the inheritance of teacher ethics in the academic circle.

Story 2: The Wisdom of "Headphone Cable" in a Desperate Situation

During a business trip, faced with a chassis with messy internal wiring and no tools available, the accompanying students were almost ready to give up. However, Li Jianlong remained calm. He disassembled the headphone cable, sat on the ground, and tested each contact point one by one. When this method failed, he did not despair. Based on his profound knowledge reserve, he judged that the wire was enameled wire and proposed to burn it to connect the circuit. When the harsh current sound finally rang out, what the student realized in shock was not noise, but the mentor's wisdom and perseverance of "where there seems to be no way, there is always a path forward".

"Teacher Li said that a problem is just a problem; as long as we keep looking for solutions, there is always a possibility of solving it," this incident made students deeply understand that the value of knowledge lies not in memorization but in application; the growth of life lies in proactive thinking and never giving up. This belief forged in despair has become a precious asset for students to face any difficulties in the future. As another student said: "Teacher Li can not only teach you how to do things but also show you through actions what kind of person you should become."

Conclusion

"Regardless of the hardships, the inkstone remains cold; when peaches ripen, they glow red, when plums ripen, the branches grow weak. Growing flowers is easy, but nurturing people is difficult." Professor Li Jianlong has built a ladder for students' progress with his professional knowledge, and shaped the spiritual background of students with his personality charm. He is both the strongest "back shield" for students moving forward and the "bright light" guiding the way through the fog. In him, we see the most beautiful image of a teacher in the new era—dedicated and practical, with a passionate heart, forging an extraordinary teacher's soul in an ordinary post.