Li Junpei, a doctoral graduate of the highly regarded University of Science and Technology of China in Hefei, Anhui province, has had significant achievements in the past year, after he met with President Xi Jinping at his alma mater in April 2016.

"Xi has been a great teacher and mentor. His handshake was warm and powerful, and his smiles were radiant. He emphasized that Chinese college students should have cultural confidence, and become people who are earnest and dependable," Li said.

Li majored in chemistry and, in 2015, founded a company that specializes in healthy and environmentally friendly new materials products, aided by the nurturing atmosphere for entrepreneurship at the university. In the past year, he obtained financing of over 30 million yuan ($4.5 million) from investors.

"I have applied for more than 40 patents. Our company has set up a factory in Huzhou, Zhejiang province, and launched some antibacterial and deodorizing products. The outlets of renowned hot pot chain Haidilao and a number of supermarkets and hospitals in Anhui province are using our products," he said.

On April 26, 2016, Xi made a trip to Li's university, where he visited the Institute of Advanced Technology and some key labs, and he also talked with students at the school library.

Xi said as a university dedicated to advanced science and high-tech research, USTC has made great efforts in recent years in pushing forward scientific innovation. He told students they should have ideals, pursuits, responsibilities, achievements and good qualities and become well cultured.

"We should be confident in our universities in China. Besides confidence in the path, the theories and the system we take, we should have a fundamental confidence, that is cultural confidence," Xi said.

"Our education should not look down on itself. Most of the students fostered in China are excellent. China is transforming itself into a country with a large amount of talent. We are confident in building top universities and fostering top talent worldwide."

Xu Wu, secretary of the Party committee at USTC, said the university would speed up the building of a top global university, carry forward independent innovation, and foster more innovative talent.

"The visit of President Xi has been a significant inspiration and motivation to us. His kind words and great image have impressed a large number of students. It made us convinced that teaching by precept and example is the core of education," he said.

Xi visited on a rainy, cool day, and after visiting the library, he didn't shy away from walking in the rain, shaking hands and bidding farewell to nearly 500 students.

"The rain wet his clothes and shoes, but he didn't care about it and said goodbye to us. We all felt quite warm and excited, and we sang the school song together spontaneously," said Wu Maoqian, a third-year doctoral student.

Wu, a model student, spoke with Xi twice in the past five years, once last year and in 2011, when he was an undergraduate. He said Xi has encouraged his career pursuit.