On the afternoon of November 3, 2015, Prof. Chen Qingquan, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) and an expert at electric vehicles, visited South China University of Science and Technology of China (SUSTC) for the 40th session of “SUSTC Lecture”. He gave a lecture themed “Renaissance and Innovation Drive” at the lecture hall of the library. Wu Chuanyue, vice president of SUSTC, presided over the lecture.

Lecture scene

Academician Chen Qingquan gave a lecture

Chen is former dean and a chair professor of the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Hong Kong, was elected as a member of CAE, a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering and a member of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in 1997, is the founder of the World Electric Vehicle Association, was honored as the “Best Asian Innovator” by Asiaweek and hailed as the “Father of Asian Electric Vehicles” by Global View. He mainly researches on motors, electric drive, battery management, etc.

Chen’s witty remarks presented a feast of thoughts on science and technology to the teachers and students present.

History of human civilization and mind emancipation.

Science and engineering.

Chen expounded the close relations and differences between science and engineering: science is a process in which the world is known through individual activities and engineering is a process in which the world is changed through collective activities. He also mentioned the relations between engineering and innovation, and emphasized the importance of system integration to engineering and its six ideological principles.

Way to success

Chen said, “Our world should be different because of you, fighting for truth means embracing spiritual culture because spirit can enrich human life. Oxford and Cambridge also uphold the idea of taping students’ potential and stimulating individual creativity. As long as the fire in one’s mind is lit, he can shine.” He encouraged the attendees to fully tap their potential and keep going towards success.

Major global challenge-energy.

Referring to energy, Chen said earnestly, “As energy has become a major challenge currently, we need to keep improving our technical level and use energy efficiently to minimize environmental pollution, which is the fundamental purpose of scientific development and service for all.”

Chen introduced the development of electric vehicles, China’s strategy for new energy vehicle development as well as the requirements for achieving these strategic goals, and encouraged the students to make innovation and study hard to fulfill the Chinese dream.

At the end of the lecture, Chen interacted with SUSTC’s teachers and students, answering all their questions carefully.

Wu Chuanyue, vice president of SUSTC, presided over the lecture