On March 18, the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) hosted the Institute of Physics (IOP) Forum and the SUSTech Lecture Series, featuring a keynote discussion between Qikun XUE, President of SUSTech and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Sir Keith Burnett, President of the IOP and Fellow of the Royal Society.

The event, held in the University’s Convention Center, centered on China-UK collaboration in physics research and education. Zhaoyuan MA, a joint faculty member of SUSTech’s College of Engineering and College of Business and Fellow of the IOP, presided over the discussion.

Sir Keith Burnett, a distinguished leader in science and higher education in the UK, is widely recognized for his contributions to reindustrialization through innovation and education. In his lecture, titled “What next for Physics”, he highlighted China’s remarkable progress in the field, noting its strong ranking in the Nature Index and the growing research capabilities of Chinese universities.

He posed critical questions about the broader societal impact of scientific advancements, asking how these discoveries shape the world and whether the influence of science truly reaches everyone as emerging technologies like electric vehicles define the future. Emphasizing that physics not only drives technological innovation but also plays a fundamental role in social and industrial transformation, he called on both China and the UK to strengthen ties between universities and industry, advocating for the direct application of cutting-edge technologies in manufacturing and increased investment in skills training.

President Qikun XUE followed with a lecture titled “From Atomic-Level Control of Material Growth to Discovery in Physics: The Quantum Anomalous Hall Effect”, offering a detailed overview of the development of the quantum anomalous Hall effect and the unique physical properties of topological insulators under strong spin-orbit coupling.

He shared the latest breakthroughs in the field, including the use of topological materials as quantum resistance standards independent of strong magnetic fields and the observation of fractional quantum states in two-dimensional Moiré material systems. These discoveries further advance research in condensed matter physics and quantum devices. President XUE also discussed recent progress in room-temperature superconductivity under ambient pressure, encouraging young researchers to actively engage in scientific exploration.

Following the lectures, Sir Keith Burnett presented President Qikun XUE with an Honorary Fellowship from the IOP, recognizing his groundbreaking contribution to topological insulators and exceptional work in condensed matter education. Notably, President XUE is the first Chinese scholar in a decade to receive this distinction, underscoring his international impact and role in strengthening China-UK collaboration in physics.

At the same time, President XUE presented Sir Keith Burnett with a commemorative certificate in recognition of his participation in the SUSTech Lecture series.

During the dialogue session, President Qikun XUE and Sir Keith Burnett explored how to adapt to the rapid changes and challenges brought by the era of artificial intelligence. They agreed that educators must guide students in developing a deep understanding of basic concepts, cultivating innovative learning approaches, and continuously refining their technical and engineering skills to integrate theory and practice seamlessly.

When reflecting on the future of China-UK collaboration in physics, they acknowledged that while challenges are inevitable, the exchange of ideas and the spirit of innovation among scientists will remain unchanged.

They also addressed questions from students in attendance at the event on how to engage in China-UK educational and research collaborations, encouraging them to remain confident, actively seek guidance from their mentors, and embrace challenges as they strive for new heights in scientific discovery.

Related links:

https://www.iop.org/about/awards/honorary-fellowship/our-honorary-fellows/professor-xue-qikun

https://www.iop.org/about/news/iop-announces-honorary-fellows-2025