Recently, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the People’s Republic of China announced the list of national advanced collectives and individuals in intangible cultural heritage protection. Among the 200 individuals honored, Associate Professor SONG Shanwei from Tongji University’s College of Design and Innovation was recognized for his contributions.

This recognition aims to commend groups and individuals who have made significant achievements in the investigation, documentation, preservation, research, management, and promotion of intangible cultural heritage since 2018.

Since 2016, Mr. SONG has been the project leader for Tongji University’s Chinese Intangible Cultural Heritage Inheritors Training Program, entrusted by the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. Under his leadership, 14 sessions of the program have been successfully conducted, training 411 cross-disciplinary innovative inheritors and establishing the unique training concept featured in Intangible Heritage plus Design plus Life at Tongji University. He has also actively promoted the participation of intangible cultural heritage trainees and their works in commercial districts, campuses, and communities, fostering innovative design and the transformation of these works into products. By collaborating with businesses and incubating brands, Mr. SONG has played a key role in bringing intangible cultural heritage into modern life, contributing to its innovative transformation and dynamic preservation.