Recently, the Center for Educational Technology and Resource Development of the Ministry of Education (National Center for Educational Technology) announced the results of the 2025 National Practice Activities for Enhancing Digital Literacy of Teachers and Students. The Key Laboratory of Western Environmental Education of the Ministry of Education at the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University (contributors: Wang Xin, Pan Yanhui, Cao Huihui, He Jianhua, and Gou Xiaohua) submitted a case on innovation and application of large-scale instruments and equipment in higher education—"The 'Lanzhou University Model' of Supporting the Cultivation of Top Talents in Geography through Large-Scale Instruments"—which was selected as an Annual Benchmark Project under the Higher Education Special Program (Innovation and Application of Digital Technologies and Equipment in Universities).
Focusing on frontier scientific issues such as climate and environmental change in arid and cold regions of western China, human–environment interactions, and sustainable development, the award-winning work showcases the practical exploration of the Key Laboratory of Western Environmental Education of the Ministry of Education at Lanzhou University in promoting the deep integration of scientific research, education, teaching, and the cultivation of top talents by leveraging large-scale instrument and equipment platforms. By establishing open and shared management mechanisms, continuously advancing innovations in experimental technologies and methods, and exploring talent cultivation models that integrate science and education, the laboratory has transformed the role of large-scale instruments from mere "research support tools" into a "collaborative platform for science-education talent cultivation". This transformation has significantly improved instrument utilization efficiency, scientific research service capacity, and teaching support capabilities, fostering a cohort of top innovative geography talents with international perspectives and strong practical skills. A replicable and scalable talent cultivation model has gradually taken shape, providing valuable experience for high-quality disciplinary development and innovative talent training.
The National Practice Activities for Enhancing Digital Literacy of Teachers and Students are nationwide initiatives conducted under the guidance of the Center for Educational Technology and Resource Development of the Ministry of Education. Covering higher education, vocational education, and basic education, these activities closely align with the theme of educational digital transformation and aim to promote reform and innovation in education and teaching. In 2025, the Higher Education Special Program of the teacher practice activities collected a total of 419 cases nationwide. Following expert review and recommendation, 41 benchmark works, 121 exemplary works, and 194 showcased works were ultimately selected.
In recent years, centered on the goal of cultivating innovative talents in geography, the College of Earth and Environmental Sciences has continuously advanced comprehensive reforms. Relying on large-scale instrument and equipment platforms, and focusing on the development of diversified teaching teams and the digital empowerment of experimental teaching, the college has built a deeply integrated talent cultivation pathway that combines "fundamental theory, field practice, and laboratory practice". This approach has effectively enhanced students' practical abilities and innovation capacity. Related achievements were approved as a 2024 Ministry of Education project on experimental teaching and teaching laboratory development, won the First Prize of the First Lanzhou University Higher Education (Graduate Education) Teaching Achievement Awards, and have been adopted and promoted by multiple universities, generating a strong demonstration and leading effect.
