Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) held its Annual Research Symposium 2018. SUSTech President Chen Shiyi and University Council Chairperson Guo Yurong were joined by University Council Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang and Vice Presidents Tang Tao and Teng Jinguang. Senior leaders from government departments across China and Guangdong Province were also invited to the meeting.

Director Zhao Yusheng of the Office of Research reported on SUSTech’s research work. He focused on the current and future research work of SUSTech, along with the scientific achievements, construction of research institutes and the development of research policy. He introduced trends in science and technology across Chinese provinces and cities and compared it to the practices at SUSTech.

The conference also heard from the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, the College of Sciences, the College of Engineering and the Technology Transfer Center. They spoke about the development and research work of their respective Schools and Colleges.

The heads of SUSTech’s three affiliated hospitals also attended the Symposium for the first time. They said that the hospitals will quickly integrate into the research system of the University, making good use of the research and development platform and advance the development of medical education and research. The goal is to to build a well-known university general hospital in the Greater Bay Area of Guangdong, Hong Kong and Macau.

Faculty members from the Departments of Physics, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering, spoke about the research platforms attached to their Departments, such as the Institute of Quantum Science and Engineering, the SUSTech-HKUST Joint School of Microelectronics and the Materials Genomics Institute.

Council Chairperson Guo Yurong spoke at the conference. She said that SUSTech had developed rapidly and its outstanding research achievements reflect its development. The scientific research teams at SUSTech continue to dare to try, pursue excellence and Guo Yurong thanked the entire faculty for their commitment to scientific research. She hoped that there would still be the same levels of enthusiasm for research at SUSTech, and that faculty members would maintain their commitment to both teaching and research.

Guo Yurong also wanted students to remain prominent in the eyes of researchers and faculty members. She hoped that students and faculty members would have a broad vision. They would have future-oriented goals with both national and global perspectives. It is important for them to focus on the major scientific research needs of Shenzhen, Guangdong, and China in order to solve cutting-edge problems.

Deputy Inspector Zhou Mutang of the Guangdong Provincial Department of Science and Technology spoke about “Guangdong’s New Round of Scientific and Technological Innovation Governance Layout.” He spoke about Guangdong’s scientific and technological innovation and emphasized the R&D layout plan and management reform across key areas. There would also be an acceleration of provincial laboratory construction. Guangdong Province would comprehensively promote the development of the ​​Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Qiu Xuan of the Shenzhen Science and Technology Commission reported about the Shenzhen Science and Technology Plan Management Reform. She introduced Shenzhen’s scientific and technological innovation development and the overall reform and optimization of Shenzhen’s scientific and technological planning system. Shenzhen will be brave enough to serve the country. SUSTech is an important part of Shenzhen’s innovation. Shenzhen Science and Technology Commission will continue to support the innovation and development of SUSTech.

Director Li Fei of the Ministry of Science and Technology talked about China’s basic research development. He emphasized the continued growth in basic research funding, talent development, innovation acceleration, and academic discipline expansion. There was an acknowledgment of current gaps in China’s basic research, and it was pointed out that there will be systematic improvements in its basic research policies and systems development.

Academician Xu Zongben spoke on next-generation information technology and science. He outlined the technical principles, basic scientific issues and development trends of digitalization, networking, and intelligence.

Vice President Teng Jinguang talked about SUSTech’s thinking and suggestions for scientific research. He put forward suggestions on improving scientific research management, establishing KPIs and establishing scientific research reward mechanisms.

President Chen Shiyi closed the conference. He found inspiration from the conference, as it summed up SUSTech’s research achievements and gave everyone the opportunity to share their successful experiences. President Chen talked about the future direction of scientific research management, major projects, large scientific installations, and interdisciplinary research. He lauded the high-quality research work of SUSTech researchers and faculty members. President Chen warned that competition is fierce and that SUSTech must continue to work hard to publish high-level articles, improve ESI indicators and increase investment in interdisciplinary development.