On the morning of May 11 2017, Wang Zhigang, Secretary of the Party Group and vice minister of the Ministry of Science and Technology, came to SUSTech. Guangdong Provincial Science and Technology Department Party Secretary, Director Huang Ningsheng, Shenzhen Municipal Committee, Deputy Mayor Zhang Hu accompanied the vice minister, and SUSTech University Council Chairperson Guo Yurong, President Chen Shiyi, vice president Tang Tao and various other university leaders, academicians and professors participated in the discussions. The forum was chaired by Guo Yurong.

On the site of the meeting

Chen Shiyi speech

At the meeting, President Chen reported on the overall development of the university and introduced the strategic mission and objectives, governance system and operation mechanism, personnel team building, scientific research achievements and scientific research platform construction and internationalization project. He said that SUSTech’s main core values were “research, innovation, entrepreneurship”, values which are rooted in the heart of China, and he aims to strive to build a world-class research university.

Professors report on their research projects

Materials Science and Engineering Professor Xiang Xiaodong introduced the situation of the Shenzhen Institute of Materials Genomics, while member of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and Dean of the School of Engineering Xu Zheng introduced the partnership freshly established between SUSTech and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in mechanical engineering research and education. Zhang Xumu, chair of the Department of Chemistry, introduced the Shenzhen Grabus Institute, a center named after the eponymous Nobel Prize winner, and Chen Yongshun, chair of the Department of Marine Science and Engineering, introduced the “Shenzhen” International Cooperation Research Program.

Tang Tao speech

Tang Tao took over to discuss the focus of research, give a comparative analysis of the international scientific research mechanism, and explain how it is combined with SUSTech’s research programs in an experimental platform who’s aim is to build interdisciplinary research projects.

Zhang Hu speech

Zhang Hu spoke at the meeting. He fully affirmed the achievements of the university, and encouraged its leaders to make persistent efforts towards achieving their goal. He said that to continue to innovate, it is necessary to pay attention to the development of a strong scientific research platform, but also to explore the scientific management mechanism, to build sustainable development and to maximize the benefits of the platform.

Wang Zhigang speech

Wang Zhigang went on to give a speech at the meeting. He said that the state attaches great importance to the development of science and technology, the central leadership has repeatedly given important instructions to the Ministry of Science and Technology, to develop a reasonable policy, good research and innovative services. He pointed out that the university should pay particular attention to research in the social enterprises, attract large numbers of high-level talents, focus strongly on new technologies and industries to support the country and the economy. He cited examples of world-class high-level research universities, encouraged SUSTech to make full use of the advantages of institutional innovation, lead the way in a “pioneer spirit”to develop cutting-edge technologies.

Director of the Ministry of Science and Technology Policy and Supervision Division He Defang, Director of Basic Research Division Ye Yujiang, Director of Hi-Tech Development and Industrialization Division Qin Yong, Director of International Cooperation Ye Dongbo, Deputy Director of Innovation and Development Division Yu Jian, Deputy General Manager Inspector Liang Yingda and other important figures of the Ministry accompanied Wang. Guangdong Provincial Office of Science and Technology Office Director Li Zheng, Shenzhen Municipal Government Deputy Secretary-General Wu You, City Science and Technology Innovation Committee Party Secretary, deputy director Qiu Xuan, deputy director of the Municipal Science and Technology Innovation Committee Zhonghai were also present at the meeting. Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, Secretary General Wang Yongjie, Minister of Scientific Research Zhao Yusheng, Minister of Planning and Development Wang Susheng also joined the discussions.

Before the forum, Wang Zhigang and his entourage visited SUSTech’s sand table and campus development models, went thourhg field inspection of the testing center and scientific laboratories and facilities.

Visit of the sand table

Text: Lao Xiangwen

Photo: Su Jiahui

Edited by: Jeremy Welburn