Gulzahan Amet, a student at Beijing Normal University who plans to become a teacher, met President Xi Jinping on Tuesday - and said she would remember the encounter for the rest of her life.

Xi talked to her and accepted her gift, a traditional Uygur flat hat that he placed on his head, on the eve of Teachers' Day. Afterward, Gulzahan said the meeting had made her more determined than ever to work hard as a teacher back in her hometown of Urumqi, the capital of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region.

The university was founded in 1902 and is regarded as the cradle of teaching in China. Xi's visit came a day before the 30th Chinese Teachers' Day on Wednesday.

Gulzahan, who is majoring in history, received words of praise from Xi when she told him she wanted to become a teacher and had recently worked as an intern at No 68 Middle School in Urumqi.

"I felt so lucky to have the opportunity to communicate with President Xi," she said. "His remarks are such a great inspiration to me."

She was delighted when Xi accepted her gift.

"He took the hat and wore it, which was a surprise to me and moved me a lot," she said.

Xi met teachers from Guizhou province who are receiving training under a program initiated by the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance in 2010 to improve teaching standards at primary and middle schools in rural areas.

Zheng Guomin, who is responsible for the program at the university, said Xi watched a training session and made some suggestions.

"President Xi said teachers are the basis of education and that the best students receive instruction from the best teachers," Zheng said. "It's of great importance to train and nurture teachers, especially those from impoverished and remote rural areas."

Zheng said one of the Guizhou teachers asked Xi whether they could call him "Xidada", an affectionate nickname given to the President by Internet users.

"President Xi answered 'Yes' in English, making everyone laugh," Zheng said. "He is so affable and amiable."

Liu Chuansheng, the university's Party chief, said she was impressed by Xi's speech to teachers and students.

The president said teachers should encourage faith and belief, have good ethical standards and a solid base of knowledge, and show affection toward students.

"I think the president was talking about the responsibilities and requirements for teachers, which we should bear in mind, especially at a time when education in China is experiencing a profound reform," Liu said.

"President Xi's visit does not only reflect his concern for Beijing Normal University but shows his good wishes for teachers all over the country," Liu said. "It indicates that the Party and our national leaders are paying great attention to education."

zhaoxinying@chinadaily.com.cn