BEIJING, Sept. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Hu Jintao on Thursday, the eve of Teachers' Day, called on teachers to embrace reform and innovation in teaching and enhance teaching standards.

Hu made the call during a visit to the Renmin University of China in Beijing and its affiliated high school.

During his visit to the school campuses, Hu held cordial talks with students, watched performances staged by students taking arts classes, and conveyed festival greetings to the teaching faculties.

At the high school, Hu urged school authorities to respect students' individuality, tap their potentials, and help students improve their overall competence.

At a lecture hall of the university, he called on university professors to be more productive in their scientific research so as to provide more reference for the government in decision-making.

Hu also urged the university administration and teaching faculty to promote glorious university traditions, embrace reform and innovation, and improve its education quality.

After the tour to the university, Hu met national model teachers and teachers who made outstanding contributions during the country's earthquake-relief work.

He called on the country's teachers to learn from the model teachers, cultivate noble virtues, improve their professional standards and make greater contributions to the scientific development of the country's educational cause.