On April 28, the All-China Federation of Trade Unions officially announced the recipients of the 2026 National May Day Labor Awards. Our university’s First-Class Forestry Discipline Team was proudly included on the list and awarded the “National Worker Pioneer” title. The National May Day Labor Awards include the “National May Day Labor Award Certificate,” the “National May Day Labor Medal,” and the “National Worker Pioneer” title. The selection process involves nominations submitted level by level through the Heilongjiang Provincial Education, Science, Culture, Health, and Sports Union and the Heilongjiang Federation of Trade Unions, followed by review and approval by the All-China Federation of Trade Unions. In 2026, a total of 49 collectives in Heilongjiang Province received the “National Worker Pioneer” title, and among all universities in the province, only two teams earned this distinction.

This year’s National May Day Labor Award selection closely aligned with the implementation of major national strategies and the broader goal of promoting high-quality development in Heilongjiang Province. Particular emphasis was placed on emerging productive forces and the “4567” modern industrial system, highlighting exemplary, representative, and leading role models. In recent years, the provincial Party committee and government have placed great emphasis on cultivating highly skilled, research-oriented talent and on continuously fostering an environment conducive to the growth of model workers and master artisans. Trade union organizations across Heilongjiang Province have united and guided the broad masses of cadres and staff to devote themselves to advancing the “Six Longjiang Initiatives” and implementing the “Eight Revitalizations,” actively contributing to the cultivation of new, high-quality productive forces and regional high-quality development. The First-Class Forestry Discipline Team of our university stands as an outstanding representative of these efforts, consistently aligning with national development strategies, serving local economic development, and implementing the university Party committee’s strategic objectives. As one of the university’s flagship teaching and research teams, the group has long been rooted in the state-owned forest regions of Northeast China. Focusing on areas such as forest genetics and tree breeding, wildlife conservation, forest resource cultivation and management, forest disaster prevention and control, and the restoration of degraded ecosystems, the team has provided vital theoretical and technical support for the cultivation, conservation, and sustainable utilization of forest resources in Northeast China. Their work has significantly promoted the health and stability of forest ecosystems and improved the ecological environment, making outstanding contributions to China’s forestry development and ecological civilization.

This recognition as a “National Worker Pioneer” is the All-China Federation of Trade Unions’ high acknowledgment of our university’s grassroots team for its dedication to professional excellence, unity, and perseverance; its commitment to integrity and innovation; and its spirit of hard work and service. It also reflects the university’s important achievements in promoting the spirit of model workers, the spirit of labor, and the spirit of craftsmanship. Moving forward, the university will take this honor as an opportunity to leverage further its exemplary, leading role as an advanced role model, continuously inspire the enthusiasm and entrepreneurial spirit of faculty and staff, and remain firmly grounded in its forestry characteristics while focusing on the mission of building a strong nation. The university will continue to strengthen discipline development, scientific and technological innovation, and talent cultivation, contributing sustained “NEFU strength” to the comprehensive revitalization of Heilongjiang Province, the building of a Beautiful China, and the high-quality development of forestry in the new era.