WUXI, CHINA - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 December 2025 - When UNESCO officially named Wuxi as China's first "UNESCO City of Music" on October 31, it inspired French music blogger and Chinese cultural enthusiast Alice Roche to write the evocative, bilingual song, L'Âme de Wuxi (The Moon Shadow over Liangxi).
Spectators gather to watch a performance of Wuxi Opera at the modern YingYueli Cultural Block in Liangxi, China.
Roche's poetic lyrics, "Liangxi water, soaking the moonlight of the past; Huishan spring, gently singing of times gone by," perfectly capture the soul of the city. The name Liangxi is an ancient alias for Wuxi, carrying 3,000 years of history and now referring to the city's central district, which is the "Core Zone of the Jiangnan Cultural Artery." Traversed by the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, Liangxi is where history is not merely a static relic, but a vibrant current connecting an ancient past with a boundless future.
Ancient waterway meets the future: The Grand Canal flows past the city's modern high-rises.
The Flow of a Millennium-Old Cultural Artery
Liangxi's enduring life force stems directly from the Grand Canal, which not only ensured commercial prosperity but also allowed culture to ebb and flow, nurturing the unique water-town ambiance and fostering a fertile ground for music.
In the Qingming Bridge Historical and Cultural Block, the traditional Jiangnan (south of the lower Yangtze River) water lanes are perfectly preserved. Here, the plop of sculling oar boats blend with the delicate melodies of Pingtan (a traditional folk art of storytelling and ballad singing) drifting from teahouses, and the lyrical strains of the erhu (a traditional Chinese two-stringed bowed musical instrument) – classic Jiangnan music that embodies Liangxi's core musical identity.
The Huishan Ancient Town blends deep humanistic tradition with musical characteristics. Nourished by the famed "The Second Spring Under Heaven," the town is home to over a hundred ancestral halls, functioning as living museums of Jiangnan culture. Its central ancient theater stage remains a vital venue where the melodious Wuxi Opera blends with the gentle sounds of the spring's flow, symbolizing Liangxi's musical heritage.
Modern urban renewal has further propelled this culture. The YingYueli Cultural Block, named after the famous folk piece Erquan Yingyue (The Moon's Reflection on the Second Spring) creatively integrates historical architecture with modern trends. Ancient walls house trendy boutiques, while squares near the ancient stage host street artists, where jazz and electronic music converse with traditional Pingtan, revitalizing the ancient cultural pulse.
The Flow of Humanistic Thought
Liangxi's legacy is further magnified by the intellectual giants it has produced. Music acted as a vital nutrient for these thinkers.
Chinese scholar and humanist Qian Mu, in his writing, recalled the peaceful influence of Jiangnan music during his youth in Liangxi. Literary master Qian Zhongshu subtly wove the local opera and folk tunes into his nuanced descriptions of Jiangnan life in his novel Fortress Besieged. Furthermore, the Rong Family, pioneers of modern Chinese industry and commerce, repeatedly supported local music societies, ensuring the continuation of the local art form.
This spirit persists today. Guqin (a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument) music accompanies morning readings at the Donglin Academy, an influential institution in Liangxi originally built in 1111 AD, and modern singers share the stage with traditional Pingtan artists at cultural salons. This blend of master heritage and artistic nourishment has imbued the people of Liangxi with an inclusive, elegant, and creative character.
The Flow of Culinary Flavors
The final, gentle embodiment of Liangxi's identity is found in its cuisine. Sustained by the Grand Canal, Liangxi gastronomy offers both the refinement of Jiangnan cuisine and the warmth of local flavors.
The Wuxi Xiaolongbao (soup dumplings) are iconic, featuring a paper-thin skin over rich broth and meat, traditionally eaten with ginger and vinegar. The classic Wuxi Spareribs, with their signature bright red glaze and tender texture, stand as one of Jiangsu's top ten dishes. Other local delicacies like the soft, juicy fried gluten balls stuffed with meat, and the sweet, fragrant osmanthus porridge further reflect the region's warm, nourishing essence.
Liangxi is the heir to the Grand Canal's culture, the practitioner of its City of Music status, and the purveyor of authentic Jiangnan taste. The district seamlessly blends the weight of history with contemporary vitality to write its own unique "Jiangnan Style," fueled by its deep connection to the water and its vibrant musical soul.
Hashtag: #Liangxi
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SINGAPORE- Media OutReach Newswire - 19 June 2026 - For many students considering higher education, choosing an institution is not only about selecting a programme or qualification. Students are also looking for a learning environment where they belong, receive support, build confidence and connect with people who can help with understanding future career pathways.
At SIM Global Education (SIM GE), campus life is designed to complement academic learning by helping students develop networks, soft skills, career awareness and a stronger sense of community. SIM GE's holistic learning approach and culturally diverse environment aim to equip students with an all-rounded global education, while student life, career development and networking activities help students build competencies needed to thrive in the real world.
This is increasingly important in higher education. UNESCO's International Institute for Higher Education notes that student wellbeing is critical to academic success and personal development, and that inadequate support can affect learning outcomes, career readiness and students' ability to contribute meaningfully to society.
Addressing student concerns beyond the classroom
Students exploring higher education often face several practical concerns. They may wonder whether they will make friends, whether they will be supported if they struggle, whether they will have opportunities to develop leadership skills, and whether they can access career guidance before entering the workforce.
SIM GE addresses these concerns through a campus ecosystem that combines student clubs, leadership development, peer support, wellbeing programmes and career services. Through Project 1095, SIM GE highlights that education extends beyond books, exams and qualifications, encompassing knowledge, skills and activities both inside and outside the classroom. This approach supports students who want a fuller higher education experience to grow personally, socially and professionally.
Building networks through clubs and co-curricular activities
Student clubs and co-curricular activities are among the first ways SIM GE students build connections on campus. SIM offers nearly 80 student clubs across areas such as arts and culture, international student clubs, student councils, special interest groups, sports and fitness. These activities allow students to broaden their interests, discover new talents and interact with peers beyond their academic programmes.
For students, these communities can make networking feel more natural. Instead of viewing networking only as a formal career activity, students can begin by working with peers on events, competitions, club projects and leadership initiatives. These experiences help students develop communication, teamwork, confidence and relationship-building skills that are valuable in both campus life and the workplace.
Developing leadership and workplace-ready skills
Leadership opportunities are another important part of the SIM GE student experience. Project 1095 states that SIM aims to prepare every student to be a leader, with opportunities ranging from leadership positions in clubs, to workshops that help students take charge of their learning journey.
These experiences are relevant to students who want to strengthen their employability before graduation. By organising activities, leading teams, managing projects and engaging with different student groups, students can develop confidence and practical skills that support their future careers. Such skills are increasingly valued by employers. The World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs 2025 report identifies skills such as analytical thinking, resilience, flexibility, agility, leadership and social influence as important for the future workforce.
Connecting students with career guidance and industry networks
For students seeking more direct career support, SIM Career Connect helps students develop a competitive edge, build industry networks and professional connections, and align their career aspirations with real-world opportunities. This is a key part of helping students transition from academic learning to career readiness. Through career guidance, networking opportunities and employer engagement, students can better understand industry expectations and explore potential career pathways.
SIM's Employer Engagement team also works with industry partners to connect employers with SIM GE students, supporting employers in finding the right fit from its pool of talent, and provides. For students, this access to industry networks can help reduce uncertainty about life after graduation. It also gives them opportunities to gain exposure to professional environments, employer expectations and potential career directions while still studying.
The role of mentoring in student career development
Mentoring and professional guidance are important because students often need perspective as much as information. Research on employability-oriented higher education programmes has highlighted that higher education has increasingly focused on developing students' employability competences through mentoring programmes.
Within SIM GE's broader campus life and career ecosystem, students can connect with peers, student leaders, career advisors, employers and industry opportunities. These touchpoints help students build confidence, ask the right questions, learn from others' experiences and make more informed decisions about their future.
Helping students make a more confident higher education choice
As students consider their higher education options, many are looking for more than a classroom experience. They want to know whether they will be supported, whether they can build friendships, whether they will have access to career resources, and whether they can connect with people who can help them understand the world of work. At SIM Global Education, student life plays an important role in addressing these concerns. Through clubs, co-curricular activities, student leadership, peer support, wellbeing services, career guidance and employer engagement, SIM GE provides students with opportunities to build meaningful connections and develop future-ready skills.
For students choosing their next step in higher education, these experiences can make a significant difference. They help you move from uncertainty to confidence, from participation to leadership, and from academic learning to stronger career readiness.
Reference
- SIM Global Education - https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/sim-global-education/university-partners-sim-ge/sim-ge
- New insights on countries' objectives to support student well-being in higher education - https://www.iesalc.unesco.org/en/articles/new-insights-countries-objectives-support-student-well-being-higher-education
- Project1095 - https://project1095.simge.edu.sg/
- Future of Job Report - https://www.weforum.org/publications/the-future-of-jobs-report-2025/
- SIM Career Service - https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/career-services
- Measuring mentoring in employability-oriented higher education programs: scale development and validation - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10170025/
- Wellness and Counselling - https://www.sim.edu.sg/degrees-diplomas/life-at-sim/student-care
Hashtag: #SIMGlobalEducation #SIMGE #GlobalEducation #InternationalDegree #CareerReady #FutureSkills
https://www.sim.edu.sg/
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About SIM Global Education
SIM Global Education (SIM GE) is a leading private education institution in Singapore and the region. We offer more than 140 academic programmes ranging from diplomas and graduate diploma programmes to bachelor's and master's degree programmes with some of the world's most reputable universities from Australia, Canada, Europe, United Kingdom, and the United States. SIM GE's cohort is made up of 17,000 full- and part-time students and adult learners, of which approximately 41% are international students hailing from over 50 countries.
SIM GE's holistic learning approach and culturally diverse learning environment aim to equip students with knowledge, industry skills and employability competencies, as well as a global perspective to succeed as future leaders in a fast-changing, technologically driven world.
For more information on SIM Global Education, visit www.sim.edu.sg
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