On the afternoon of April 22, 2016, “Zhiren College Aerospace Lectures” opened with a presentation entitled “Exploring the Path of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Pursuing the Chinese Dream of Aerospace” made by Cui Yuping, Party Secretary and Chairman of Aerospace Science & Industry Shenzhen (Group) Co., Ltd. (CASIC Shenzhen) at the lecture hall of the first research building. President Chen Shiyi chaired the lecture and Chief Operating Officer Lu Chun was present. Prior to the lecture, Chen presented a letter of appointment to Cui, appointing him as a part-time professor of the Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering.

On April 24, 1970, “Dongfanghong I”, China’s first man-made earth satellite, was launched successfully, raising the curtain of China’s efforts to explore the mystery of the universe, making peaceful use of space and benefiting mankind. In 2016, April 24 was set as “Aerospace Day of China”. To meet the first “Aerospace Day”, carry forward the spirit of aerospace and popularize the knowledge of aerospace, Zhiren College presented “Zhiren College Aerospace Lectures” to guide academic discussions and thoughts, and stimulate young people’s passion for innovation and entrepreneurship.

President Chen Shiyi presents a letter of appointment to Cui Yuping

Cui graduated as a PhD in engineering from Huazhong University of Science and Technology. He worked as Director of Beijing Research Institute of Automated Control Equipment, Cruise Missile Technology Research Institute, China Aerospace Science & Industry Corp. (CASIC), as well as Director of the Department of Civil industries, President Assistant, Vice President and Batch Production Commander-in-Chief of Cruise Missile Technology Research Institute. His honors include the National Grand Award for Progress in Science and Technology, the Second Prize of the Ministry of Aerospace for Progress in Science and Technology, etc. He currently works as Party Secretary and Chairman of CASIC Shenzhen.

Cui made an impressive scientific presentation. He introduced the history of aerospace and aerospace science & industry, interpreted aerospace culture and explored the path of innovation and entrepreneurship, presenting an impressive scientific report to SUSTech’s teachers and students.

Lecture scene

Development history of China’s aerospace industry

Cui elaborated on the painstaking efforts of China’s aerospace industry over the past six decades from four series: missile, rocket, satellite and spaceship. The development history of China’s aerospace industry is a history of self-dependence, innovation and breakthrough. From simple sounding rockets to Soviet Union-imitating missiles, and to the parallel development of “missiles, rockets, satellites and spaceships” today, China’s aerospace industry has made brilliant achievements such as “Two Bombs and One Satellite”, “manned spaceflight” and “lunar exploration”, and played a significant role in promoting technological progress, national defense construction, as well as economic and social development.

“Spirit of aerospace” and path of innovation

As a major force of China’s aerospace industry, CASIC is a state-owned super large high-tech enterprise which has kept to the road of civil-military integration with Chinese characteristics, Cui noted. He briefly introduced the development history of aerospace science & industry and analyzed some product systems, arousing bursts of applause. While introducing China’s brilliant achievements in aerospace, he mentioned the “three spirits of aerospace”-traditional spirit of aerospace, spirit of “Two Bombs and One Satellite” and spirit of manned spaceflight. They have become the spiritual forces motivating generations of aerospace workers to work unremittingly, adding valuable spiritual wealth to the Chinese nation.

Promoting the rapid development of the enterprise through innovation

After introducing the development history of China’s aerospace industry macroscopically, Cui introduced CASIC Shenzhen. Facing the new-round global industrial revolution, guided by the development concept and culture of aerospace science & industry, CASIC Shenzhen has forged ahead, made innovation, kept expanding its share in key project markets such as power equipment and GIS system in a short period of 14 years, accomplished the replacement of imported products and exported some equipment to foreign countries. Currently the company is preparing to establish a technical research platform, vigorously developing basic technologies of intelligent manufacturing and the smart industry, conducting exploration and making attempts, establishing a new industrial ecosystem, and comprehensively advancing transformation and upgrading.

At the end of the lecture, Cui encouraged the students to study hard and make innovation. “You will go on the historical stage step by step to play a leading role, let’s look up at the starry sky, stand on solid ground and fly dreams to make youth full and regretless in the future.”

In the Q&A session, Cui answered the students’ questions carefully.

Following the Q&A session, a book presentation ceremony was held. Cui presented five books (Biography of Academician Yu Benshui, Biography of Academician Wang Xiji, Biography of Academician Liang Jincai, Biography of Academician Xie Guangxuan and Father of Two Bombs and One Satellite) to the students, talking with them cordially.

Chen Fangyi, Deputy Academic Dean of Zhiren College; Bao Chuanwen, Deputy Executive Dean of Zhiren College and professor representatives from the Department of Mechanics and Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering attended the lecture.

Chen Yifan presents a letter of tutor appointment to Cui Yuping

Earlier that afternoon, Zhiren College held the “Ceremony of Appointing the First Social Tutor of Zhiren College” at the function room of the college, officially appointing Cui as the college’s first “social tutor” who will explore aerospace with students to open a new page for innovation practice.