Chen Jianxin: Dedication Like Spring Rain, Devotion to Nurturing Talents

"A teacher is one who imparts knowledge and instills virtues." To him, scientific research and teaching are like the two wheels of a cart or the two wings of a bird—complementary forces that drive students' growth. He is both a dedicated scholar in the field of environmental science and a patient guide on the path of students' development. Over more than a decade of teaching, he has illuminated the way forward for countless students with his gentleness and rigor. He is Professor Chen Jianxin from the School of Resources and Environmental Sciences, a much-loved "treasure teacher" who has won many honors including Excellent Master's Thesis Advisor of Jiangxi Province and University Excellent Teaching Quality Award.

Teaching Students in Accordance with Their Aptitude: The Wisdom of Targeted Education

Faced with postgraduate students with varying academic foundations, Professor Chen Jianxin has developed a unique "differentiated teaching method". He firmly believes that there are no underachieving students, only individual differences.

"For students with a weak undergraduate experimental background, the teacher is more patient, focusing on explaining the principles and basic knowledge of experimental design to help us 'stand firm' first," recalled one student. For students with a solid foundation, Chen Jianxin sets more challenging research topics to inspire them to scale the heights of scientific research. This model of "teaching students in accordance with their aptitude and providing targeted guidance" enables every student to achieve maximum growth based on their own starting point, fostering a positive research ecosystem where "a hundred flowers bloom together".

Guided Teaching: The Ingenuity of Teaching Students How to Fish

"Professor Chen never gives us answers directly; he always guides us to figure out the direction to solve problems on our own." This is a common sentiment among many students. In Chen Jianxin's classes and research groups, "indoctrination" is rarely seen—"guidance" is the core approach.

Through weekly group meetings, he creates an interactive mode of "students presenting, peers commenting, and teacher summarizing". Students are required to report their progress and comment on each other's work, with Chen Jianxin offering insights and correcting misunderstandings at the end. This process greatly cultivates students' initiative, communication skills and critical thinking.

Even if a student proposes a research direction inconsistent with his initial idea, he will not directly reject it. "He would ask me to elaborate on my reasons and discuss the feasibility of the plan with me for two or three hours," a student said emotionally. The research topic finalized through that in-depth discussion became the most exciting part of his graduation thesis. This respect and tolerance protect the sparks of students' innovation and cultivate their research autonomy.

Gentleness and Tolerance: A Caring Mentor and Friend

In the eyes of students, Professor Chen Jianxin's teaching style is "characterized by gentleness and tolerance". He does not set rigid experimental plans; instead, he encourages students to think freely and explore boldly in the ocean of science.

His group meetings have a relaxed atmosphere—he cares not only about research progress but also about the students themselves. "The teacher would ask about our physical health and whether we have any difficulties in life." This meticulous care makes students feel relaxed and trusted, prompting them to open up and share their troubles proactively. This mentor-friend relationship has become a strong backing for students to move forward bravely.

Even when academic discussions become so heated that voices are raised over differing opinions, he will take the initiative to soothe the students' emotions afterward. "He told us that there is no such thing as being too intense when discussing scientific truths—it’s never personal," recalled a student. Professor Chen once shared his own experience of having heated discussions with his supervisor during his doctoral studies and encouraged the student: "Don’t be afraid to engage in discussions just because emotions run high; I really enjoy exploring problems with you." This rigorous attitude of focusing on issues rather than individuals, and his defense of academic freedom, have earned him immense respect from students.

Teaching by Example: Illuminating Students' Hearts with Personal Experience

Professor Chen Jianxin not only imparts knowledge but also sets an example for students through his own experiences. When students feel confused or frustrated in their research, he shares the story of how his doctoral research direction was inconsistent with that of his supervisor.

"He told us that he overcame the difficulties step by step by reading a large number of literatures on his own and taking the initiative to seek help from other teachers." This story deeply inspired the students, making them realize that the ability to think independently and solve problems on their own is the most valuable asset on the path of scientific research. This combination of "teaching through words" and "guiding through actions" is more powerful than any empty preaching.

Conclusion

In the laboratory, he verifies hypotheses rigorously with students, exploring the mysteries of environmental governance; in the office, he engages in heart-to-heart talks with students, helping them plan their life paths. He turns his dedication into nurturing spring rain and guards the healthy growth of every young talent with his diligent devotion. As one graduate wrote in a testimonial: "Professor Chen not only taught us how to do scientific research, but more importantly, how to be a person and how to think." Perhaps this is the highest praise for a teacher who is dedicated to educating people.