November 20 saw the successful conclusion of the 2018 meeting of the International Advisory Council (IAC) of Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech). The IAC members provided valuable suggestions and advice for SUSTech’s development as it strives to become a world-class university, rooted in China.

Rugui Chen, Mayor of the Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government met with the IAC members and received the 2018 IAC’s preliminary report.

Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Lixin Wang and other senior officials from the Shenzhen Municipal Government attended the major meeting on the second day. SUSTech President Shiyi Chen, University Council Chairperson Yurong Guo and other senior university leaders were also present.

Dr. Henry T. Yang summarized the report as the IAC Chair. He said that SUSTech had accomplished so much in such a short period of time, highlighting the successful approval from the Ministry of Education for being qualified to Ph.D. and Master degree programs, as well as the development of the School of Medicine.

He pointed out that SUSTech had attracted world-class faculty members, and it is now recruiting excellent students now. He hoped that SUSTech would continue to advance rapidly on the road to building a world-class research university, and trusted that the Shenzhen Municipal Government would continue to support SUSTech.

Mayor Rugui Chen thanked the IAC members for their support of and suggestions for SUSTech. He said that Shenzhen needs a talent pipeline and an innovative ecology for its future development. Consequently, collaboration between cities, universities, and industry is needed to develop a growth mindset for talents.

He said that world-renowned universities would partner with Shenzhen in the future to carry out scientific research and develop locally trained talents. He hoped that the academic prestige and influence of members of the IAC could be used to promote higher education in Shenzhen.

Earlier in the day before the presentation to the Mayor, the IAC members held a closed-door meeting to prepare a preliminary report for SUSTech.

Subsequently, IAC members met with both Mayor Rugui Chen and Vice Mayor of Shenzhen Lixin Wang.

The IAC Members spoke highly of SUSTech’s high-speed and high-quality development, affirmed the vibrant leadership, and expressed their appreciation for SUSTech’s new medical school. They hoped that the University can establish a longer-term development goal.

Vice Mayor Lixin Wang extended his gratitude on behalf of the city, as the IAC members have provided many valuable views and feedback of how to make SUSTech a world class university.

He said that the advice received today would provide reference for the government’s decision making, and hoped the leadership of SUSTech would study the valuable suggestions and further promote the development of the University.

SUSTech President Shiyi Chen once again expressed his sincere gratitude to the IAC members for coming from afar for this event. He also thanked the Shenzhen Municipal Government for providing their guidance and support. President Shiyi Chen said that SUSTech’s sustainable development was important. He emphasized the future construction of the School of Medicine as a major goal of the University in the future.

In the afternoon after the meetings, SUSTech Vice President Chun Lu facilitated the press conference between journalists from numerous media outlets and 10 IAC members.

The IAC members present at the press conference included Henry T. Yang, Chancellor of the University of California at Santa Barbara, Xinhe Bao, President of the University of Science and Technology of China, Edward Byrne, President & Principal of King’s College London, Tony F. Chan, President of King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Peter Høj, President of the University of Queensland, David Leebron, President of Rice University, David Richardson, Vice-Chancellor of the University of East Anglia, Mark Schlissel, President of University of Michigan, Sung-Chul Shin, President of Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, and Samuel Stanley, President of Stony Brook University.

The IAC members shared their impressions on SUSTech and Shenzhen with the media. They said that the building of SUSTech’s School of Medicine will promote the development of interdisciplinary and collaborative research across Shenzhen, while providing a guarantee of the quality of healthcare options for local citizens.

The journalists also asked questions about university rankings, faculty, undergraduate and postgraduate education, and the achievements of the IAC.

After the meeting, the IAC members visited Dajiang Innovations Technology, one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers in UAV autopilot systems, better known as DJI.

During the two-day IAC meeting, SUSTech signed MoUs and cooperation agreements with the University of Queensland, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Rice University, University of Michigan, and ETH Zurich.