On May 7th, the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee brought numerous media outlets to SUSTech to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the Reform and Opening-up in China. The purpose of the campaign is to publicize and report about the extraordinary development of China since its opening up 40 years earlier. Shenzhen was the first stop on the trip, given the high significance of its role in reforming the Chinese economy and SUSTech was the only university in Shenzhen interviewed for the media.

Many famous media outlets were in attendance, including China Daily and Xinhua, along with more than one hundred other newspapers, radio stations, television stations and online media outlets from across the country. Economic Information Department Deputy Director Zhuang Xiaojie joined Vice Minister of the Shenzhen Municipal Party Committee Publicity Department Liu Shilei, along with University Council Chairperson Guo Yurong, Vice Chairperson Li Fengliang and University Vice President Teng Jinguang.

The media visits the 3D campus construction plan

The media delegation first visited the 3D campus construction plan in the administrative services hall, while listening to an introduction about the phases of campus construction. They then held discussions with both staff and students.

Zhuang Xiaojie speaks

Guo Yurong speaks

At the media forum, Chairperson Guo Yurong welcomed the media and thanked them for their ongoing support of SUSTech and Shenzhen. She said that SUSTech was a growing, high-level research-oriented university, which has its roots in the reform and opening up of Shenzhen and China over the last 40 years. The Ministry of Education has strongly supported SUSTech, along with the Guangdong Provincial Government and the Shenzhen Municipal Government.

Guo Yurong pointed out that there are six unique reforms and innovations at SUSTech. Shenzhen is the earliest special economic zone in China to implement reforms,and as a result, SUSTech should take the unique mission of reform. The dual tasks assigned by the country and Shenzhen involve the unique development history of Southern University of Science and Technology reflects the reform dividend released by the deepening reforms of the country since the 18th National Congress.Similarly, the unique governance system flows through SUSTech’s modern university management and council governance systems. An equally innovative student training system ensures that the use of a pioneering student enrollment systems results in the cultivation of innovative,visionary talents with a global outlook.She stated that SUSTech would uphold its road of self-confidence at a theoretical, institutional and cultural level of socialism with Chinese characteristics while setting a goal of “rooted in China, building a world-class research university.”

Li Fengliang

Li Fengliang went into detail as to the reform and innovation of SUSTech from the aspects of the mission, action, effect, and vision of innovation. He spoke at length, including the "6+3+1" undergraduate enrollment mode, the construction of a medical school and the next stage of the university’s development. He said that SUSTech’s talent cultivation is unique, our researchers are making new scientific breakthroughs all the time, and SUSTech’s global partnerships are continuing to expand. In the great new era, SUSTech will continue to become a world-class research university based on the quality and speed of Shenzhen and take root in China.

Meeting site

Executive Dean of the Shenzhen Grubbs Institute Professor Zheng Zhiping also spoke. He said that the Shenzhen Grubbs Research Institute is the first research institution in Shenzhen named after the Nobel Prize winner, and indeed, the first research institution in China to be named after any Nobel Prize winner. Professor Yu Dapeng, academician, who heads the Shenzhen Institute of Quantum Science and Engineering, talked about the Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering (IQSE) has been incorporated into the national priority development strategy, providing a strong impetus for the fourth Industrial Revolution. 

Department of Mechanics and Aerospace Engineering Vice Head Deng Wei and Department of Chemistry Professor Li Wei spoke on behalf of the faculty, about howSUSTech has enhanced their career development. 

Class of 2017 Graduate Wu Guanlong spoke for the students about the positive impact SUSTech has had, regarding its provision of excellent general education ahead of more advanced studies, employment opportunities, and the entrepreneurial spirit of students on campus. At the end of the symposium, members of the media conducted numerous interviews with teachers and students of our school.

Media visit the laboratory

Student journalists interview seasoned journalists

After the forum, the members of the delegation visited the Materials Characterization and Preparation Center (MCPC), Residential colleges, and the SUSTech Fuel Cell Company. They conducted in-depth and meticulous investigations and interviews about SUSTech’s scientific research and innovation systems, and our basic research platform. Members of the media were also very interested in investigating our unique talent training system, and how SUSTech integrates “research, innovation, entrepreneurship.” The achievements made by SUSTech’s rapid development, as well as our residential college systems and research platforms, left a deep and lasting impression on the members of the delegation.

Original Text: Zhang Hao

Photo: Su Jiahui, Wang Kaiqiang, Zhang Xiaoyan

English Text: Chris Edwards, Xia Yingying