The head of the State Administration of Cultural Heritage sent a congratulatory letter to the Institute. He said that SUSTech is committed to innovation and achieving outstanding academic strengths, and with such a high level faculty, he was delighted that the university was engaging in the protection of cultural heritage.

Henan Provincial Department of Culture Inspector Chen Ailan, Henan Provincial Museum of Cultural Relics and Archeology director Sun Yingmin, Professor of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences Wang Changsui, Emperor Qinshihuang’s Mausoleum Site Park former director and Shaanxi Normal University Professor Cao Wei, Cambridge-based Needham Research Institute representative Mei Jianjun, Director of the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology of Guangdong Province Cao Jin, Director of the Sichuan Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology Gao Dalun, Director of the Guizhou Provincial Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology Zhou Bisu, Director of the Shenzhen Institute of Cultural Relics and Archeology Ren Zhilu, Wuhan University Professor Zhang Pingchang as well as other experts and scholars attended the ceremony, and offered their best wishes for the founding of the lab.

SUSTech’s Social Sciences Center director Zhou Yongming gave an opening speech to the audience which included Residential Colleges director Han Wei as well as faculty representatives. The event was overseen by Social Sciences Center Professor Tang Jigen.

Cultural heritage is a testimony to the long history and splendid culture of the Chinese nation and all ethnic groups in the world. The protection of cultural heritage is a critical element in the sustainable development of today’s society. SUSTech’s Cultural Heritage Lab aims to cover a wide range of roles in this field by dedicating its scientific and technological resources to the preservation of local culture, such as carrying out cutting-edge and innovative research in this field, and using new technologies to gain a better understanding of and better preserve the past.

On the same day, a lecture was held entitled “Facing the Future: Protection and Sharing of Cultural Heritage” at the International Conference Hall 121-1 of the Administrative Building. Experts and scholars exchanged on a range of topics including archaeological discovery and research, modern science and technology for cultural heritage protection, with the perspective of promoting multi-disciplinary cooperation to enhance a sustainable preservation of our cultural heritage.