The Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies (AAIS) held its first academic exchange forum. The 93 researchers from AAIS were joined by faculty members from various SUSTech departments to discuss cutting-edge developments in different scientific fields. They also provided suggestions to further improve the Academy. Dean of the Academy Zhao Yusheng presided over the Exchange Forum, while SUSTech President Chen Shiyi spoke at the conclusion.

The meetings in the morning were split into four smaller forums. The researchers gave special reports on their academic research results and future academic development plans. The presidents of the interdisciplinary research institutes listened to their reports along with the professors from across SUSTech. There were long discussions about the relevant academic issues that surround each report.

During the afternoon, the five presidents of the interdisciplinary research institutes spoke about the developments of their research institutes. Deans Xiang Xiaodong from the Materials Genomics Institute, Liu Ke from the Clean Energy Research Institute, Chen Yongshun from the Ocean Science and Engineering Research Institute, Fu Xinyuan from the Biomedical Research Institute and Yao Xin from the Intelligent Science and Engineering Research Institute all presented to the audience

Zhao Yusheng spoke proudly of the Academy. He talked about its history, personnel composition, work progress and development planning. He also reflected on SUSTech’s overall scientific research work and achievements.

Chen Shiyi made a speech at the end of the Forum. He said he cannot build a world-class research university without interdisciplinary subjects. SUSTech’s development speed has been remarkable and the outcome results have been incredible since the establishment of the Academy of Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies. Both the Clean Energy Research Institute and the Materials Genomics Research Institute have made progress, along with other cutting-edge scientific institutions within AAIS. Chen Shiyi hoped that everyone would continue to work hard in interdisciplinary fields to achieve even better results.