On November 29, Dalian Social Work Research Institute was inaugurated at our university. Liu Hong, Deputy Secretary of Dalian Municipal Party Committee, Li Wenge, Deputy Director of the Social Work Department of Liaoning Provincial Party Committee, Li Qi, Director of the Social Work Department of Dalian Municipal Party Committee and Xu Minqiang, Secretary of Dalian Maritime University Party Committee attended the ceremony. Relevant persons in charge of the Policy and Regulation Division of the Social Work Department of Liaoning Provincial Party Committee, Deputy Director of Dalian Municipal Social Work Department and heads of various sub-departments, main officials from Party (Work) Committees of districts, cities and counties (and pilot zones of opening-up), representatives of community workers, industry associations, enterprises of mixed ownership and non-public, new types of economic and social organizations, and groups in new forms of employment, and volunteers, along with He Xuesong, Dean of the School of Social and Public Administration of East China University of Science and Technology, and Chu Jianguo, Dean of the College of Public Administration and Humanities at our university, along with social work faculty members, participated in the event. More than 60 people attended the ceremony, hosted by Bao Dan, Secretary of the Party Committee of the College of Public Administration and Humanities of our university.

In his speech, Xu Minqiang stated that the university earnestly follows the important speeches and instructions of General Secretary Xi Jinping on the revitalization and development of Northeast China, Liaoning, and Dalian. The university also follows the instructions given by Secretary Hao Peng during his research visit to the university, prioritizing the service to the nation, university-local collaboration, and open development as key strategies. In cooperation with Dalian Municipal Social Work Department, the university has established Dalian Social Work Research Institute to provide support for the professional and standardized development of the social work in Dalian from both educational and research perspectives. In the future, DMU, as a university selected for the project to establish first-class universities and disciplines of the world, will actively leverage its resources to strengthen the construction of social work disciplines and majors, and strive to yield more research outcomes centered around the modernization of grassroots social governance, contributing to the high-quality development of the social work in Dalian.

Liu Hong spoke highly of the establishment of the research institute and expressed his sincere hopes. He pointed out that this collaboration between the university and the local government is of profound significance. It is a major step to implement General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important instructions on social work and an innovative practice to fully utilize the potential of the city’s scientific and educational resources, strengthen grassroots social governance, and enhance talent development. The establishment of the research institute symbolizes a key transition from the construction of the social work system to its high-quality development in Dalian. It will undoubtedly inject new vitality into talent cultivation and provide strong momentum for the thriving of social work in Dalian.

Li Wenge congratulated the establishment of Dalian Social Work Research Institute, stating that the institute’s establishment is closely aligned with the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th National Congress and the central social work conference. It serves as a core platform for deepening social work research and practice. He hoped that the institute would work as a demonstration in social governance empowerment and university-local-government cooperation, becoming a key think tank for social work practice and a core cradle for talent development. He further expressed his wish for the institute to explore a unique path of innovative cooperation and development, paving the way for new advancements in the social work of Liaoning.

At the ceremony, on behalf of both parties, Li Qi and Chu Jianguo signed a cooperation agreement for joint development, and Liu Hong and Xu Minqiang jointly unveiled the plaque for "Dalian Social Work Research Institute".

After the ceremony, the first conference of the Dalian Social Work Research Institute Development and Construction Committee was held. He Xuesong provided expertise guidance at the meeting, while Chu Jianguo read out the organizational structure and functions of the institute. The newly established Dalian Social Work Research Institute aims to create a comprehensive platform for social work education, research, and community service with national influence, focusing on enhancing professional competence, promoting academic exchange, expanding career paths, and increasing social impact and beyond. The institute is committed to driving innovation and development in the social work field in Dalian.