Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) was the host venue for the National Key Middle School Principals Seminar (Seminar) on “Top Innovative Talents Training in the Era of New College Entrance Examinations.” The Seminar sought to discuss the evaluation of innovative future leaders through the framework of new college entrance examinations, how to develop a mechanism that connects these new exams to middle & high school curriculums and the development of secondary education.

Shanghai Education Examinations Institute Party Secretary Liu Yuxing, Guangdong Examinations Institute Vice President Fan Yibin, and Shenzhen Education Bureau Deputy Director Wang Shuifa attended the Seminar with SUSTech University Council Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang, Vice President Lu Chun and Acting Vice President Zhang Dongxiao. More than 120 principals & vice-principals from 90 middles schools and education authority leaders from across the country descended upon SUSTech for the Seminar, which was presided over by Director of Teaching Affairs Huang Kefu.

The first day saw SUSTech President Chen Shiyi meet privately with Shanghai Education Examinations Institute Party Secretary Liu Yuxing, Guangdong Examinations Institute Vice President Fan Yibin, and a select group of high school principals. President Chen Shiyi provided a briefing about SUSTech, saying that SUSTech would strive to become a world-class research university rooted in China while taking advantage of the historic opportunities from the dual development prospects of Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area. He thanked everyone for their support of SUSTech, adding that SUSTech always looks for opportunities for thorough exchanges and cooperation in the development of its talent pipelines.

At the opening ceremony of the Seminar, Shenzhen Education Bureau Deputy Director Wang Shuifa said that the support of Shenzhen by the Central Government marks a historic new opportunity for the first-class city of Shenzhen and its need for first-class higher education. Since SUSTech’s approval in 2012, the speed of development and achievement are a reflection of the quality of Shenzhen. He stressed that the continuing reform of the new college entrance examination means that the construction of talent pipelines in tertiary education to match the needs of regional and national social development strategies is a critical area of focus for everyone.

SUSTech University Council Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang pointed out that the new college entrance examination reforms were aimed at equality, providing new opportunities, possibilities, and futures for the development of first-rate talent pipelines. SUSTech’s mission was progressing in a positive direction and was being promoted around the country.

SUSTech Acting Vice President Zhang Dongxiao spoke about undergraduate education at SUSTech within the framework of its talent pipeline. He pointed out SUSTech had a student-centered approach to education, giving them significant autonomy when it comes to their class and major selections. Zhang Dongxiao focused on the interdependent relationships between cities and universities, as a harmonious relationship between the two leads to their mutual promotion. SUSTech would continue to foster innovative talents and play a leading role in contributing to society.

Several keynote speeches were given on a wide range of topics, including reforms to the national college entrance examination, the development of talent pipelines, updating secondary education curriculums to account for new college entrance examination requirements, the future of college entrance examinations and adjusting for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Two SUSTech students, Yu Mengxia and Yao Hongyu, gave their perspectives on their time at SUSTech.

SUSTech Vice President Lu Chun gave a closing speech, saying that SUSTech has the courage, capability, confidence, and determination to build a world-class research university rooted in China, under its spiritual pillars of “Research, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.” He thanked all the attendees for their on-going support for SUSTech and hoped that they would continue to work together in many different areas.

As part of the Seminar, guests took campus tours, visiting the Core Research Facilities and residential colleges.