Earlier this week, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) was the host venue for the 2019 National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) project announcement conference. SUSTech President Chen Shiyi and another 300 people, including heads of departments, attended the meeting, which was chaired by Director of the Office of Research Zhao Yusheng.

Chen Shiyi spoke about his satisfaction with SUSTech’s scientific achievements in 2018. He pointed out that basic research is important for scientific and technological innovation. It has become a necessary condition for becoming a world scientific and technological power. Basic research also plays an important role in promoting applied research, as new technology cannot be invented without basic theory.

He also mentioned that universities need to actively develop their basic research capabilities to improve their overall research abilities and build world-class research institutions. He believed that SUSTech did a good job in basic research. He encouraged teachers to use basic research to improve their scientific research and adapt to the national strategic transformation.

Chen Shiyi commented that in 2019, the research departments should be active and organized. Academic leaders should challenge for key projects and researchers should also engage in other types of projects such as international, interdisciplinary and trans-national research projects. Young scholars must become active participants in academic exchanges with their domestic counterparts.

Dean of the College of Sciences Yang Xueming introduced new measures for the reform of the NSFC in the new era. He also guided the attendees on how to prepare detailed reports under this reform, based on his own experiences.

Zhao Yusheng also pointed out that schools, departments, and applicants should attach great importance to their NSFC applications, and work together to promote the NSFC achievements in 2019.