On February 10, 2022, the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) held its 2022 Spring Semester Meeting on Strategic Planning and Development to discuss the next stage of the University’s development over the coming year. The theme of this seminar focused on SUSTech’s development towards building a first-class university.

Fengliang LI, University Council Chairperson, Qikun XUE, President of SUSTech, members of the University’s leadership team, deans of each college, along with heads and representatives of each department, attended the meeting.

At the seminar, participants held in-depth discussions and made recommendations on topics such as first-class university development, talent cultivation and faculty development, and scientific research.

President Qikun XUE presented a keynote report on the University’s development goals and talent-related work. He pointed out that in 2021, the University established its motto of “Virtue, Truth, Advance”, which symbolizes the fundamental principles of SUSTech and is a milestone event in the development of SUSTech.

At the same time, the University established the “Three Major Development Strategies” and “Five Major Action Plans” based on a “three-step” medium and long-term development planning, using this as a guide to promote the development of SUSTech on its mission towards becoming a first-class university.

President XUE noted that as a new type of research university, SUSTech has undertaken a great responsibility to develop and grow the number of top talents in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA).

In his speech, he quoted the English-American theoretical and mathematical physicist Freeman Dyson, who categorized talents or scientists as being two types: birds and frogs. President XUE said that the cultivation of outstanding talents should be strengthened from four aspects: research taste, academic aspiration, academic ability, and academic ecosystem.

The “Excellence in Talent Cultivation” was highlighted for further implementation, including to forge a quality talent team with strategic scientists as the leading force and a group of outstanding young and senior scientists as the major support; and to formulate measures and favorable polices, provide good service, and create an academic ecosystem where talents can thrive.

He emphasized that every college and department of the University shall make  a concerted effort in talent related work, including talent recruitment, cultivation, evaluation, service and support in realizing SUSTech’s strategic goals and building a talent base in the region.

He added that SUSTech must help Shenzhen become a demonstration area for the gathering and nurturing of outstanding talents and accelerate the development of the GBA as a world-renowned center of quality talent and innovation.

Hongwei FANG, Provost of SUSTech, Xueming YANG, Acting Vice President for Research, and Susheng WANG, Member of the Presidential Executive Council and Director of the Office of Planning & Development, also presented reports on talent cultivation, high-level scientific research, and discipline development, respectively, at the meeting.

Chairperson Fengliang LI also spoke at the meeting. In his remarks, he pointed out that 2021 marked the 100^th anniversary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the first year of the country’s “14th Five-Year Plan”. He emphasized that 2022 is an important year for the development of SUSTech. Since progress and achievements have been made in 2021, Chairman LI summarized the advancements in six aspects, including party building, scientific and technological innovation, talent cultivation and university culture.

He noted the four major goals of 2022, including the to become a world-class university and a new research university; to optimize university governance by ensuring the smooth operation and efficient running of the governance system; to nurture the culture of the University through building facilities and holding cultural activities; and to excel in cultivating talents and explore the establishment of a dynamic management mechanism for faculty and administrative members.

He hopes that all faculty members, staff, and students will continue working together to speed up SUSTech’s development towards becoming a first-class research university with global influence.