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Wei Huang, PhD, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, president of Tech ,

Nanjing Tech University (NanjingTech) is a leading higher education institution in Province researchers from world-class . in eastern China. It was established in 2001 in a merger between the former of Reform on researchers’ performance Chemical and Nanjing Institute of Architecture and Civil . A multidisciplinary assessment is also taking place. university with a focus on engineering, NanjingTech has 29 schools and more than 30,000 students. Here, Wei Huang, president of NanjingTech and member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, shares Q. What are the globalization strategies of his plan to build a world-class university by boosting research and expanding its scope. NanjingTech? We are strengthening international Q. What do you want to achieve during We have integrated our expertise in organic collaborations in both education and research your tenure at NanjingTech? electronics, biomaterials, nano-technology and have established partnerships with quite INSIDE VIEW: I came to NanjingTech in 2012 as the newly and plastic electronics to establish a joint a few world-class universities. For research appointed president, at which time NanjingTech international laboratory of fl exible electronics, collaborations, our objective is to enhance was already a provincial demonstration endeavouring to be at the vanguard of China’s R&D capabilities and to promote university for innovation and entrepreneurship. scientifi c and technological advances. Within a industrial and technological progress. Th us, Th e university has progressed a lot over the past few years, we have built an innovative team of we also put much emphasis on research decade and has evolved from an engineering- plastic electronics and photonics researchers, commercialization. Recently, we are partnering based university to a multidisciplinary one with whose research output has the potential to be with Oxford University to establish a joint degree courses also in humanities and social applied in organic light-emitting diode (OLED) laboratory in Suzhou, China. Our other sciences. To seek sustainable growth, we have , insertable medical devices and international partnerships include the Sino- set a strategic goal of building a comprehensive, high-effi ciency solar batteries. Australian Joint Centre for Advanced Materials research-oriented and globalized university. Th is with the Griffi th University, a joint research SPOTLIGHT ON NANJING, CHINA goal also forms a part of our long-term plan: to centre with the University of Zaragoza in become a fi rst-class university in China within Spain, and the NanjingTech-RAS-MSU Joint fi ve years and a world-class university by 2030. Research and Innovation Centre with the To seek sustainable ‘‘ Russian Academy of Sciences and Moscow State Q. Why is it important to be a growth, we have set a University, to name but a few. Th e launch of the

comprehensive university? strategic goal of building a Partner Journal Flexible Electronics also

It is a global trend. Almost 80% of today’s comprehensive, research- marks our eff ort to promote the global reach. top-rated universities worldwide are oriented and globalized ‘‘ multidisciplinary. In China, the trend began university. Q. What is the key driver to the in the 1990s with higher education reform. A university’s development? comprehensive university not only cultivates A talent pool is essential to our development. all-round students, but also facilitates the One of our priorities now is to attract development of interdisciplinary research, which Q. How do you plan to strengthen research outstanding researchers, as well as competent is essential for scientifi c innovation. However, capacity at the university? school administrators. We have established being “comprehensive” does not necessarily We have set up a plan to support basic and a Buff er Base for Overseas Talents to create a suggest having an all-inclusive set of subject applied research in specifi c areas of physical supportive environment geared to international areas or an equal emphasis on each area. Instead, science and information science; to promote standards. We off er these promising researchers we will reinforce our university’s traditional life sciences geared towards frontier research; internationally-comparable compensation strengths – chemical engineering, material and to support humanities and social packages. Th e idea is to help researchers science and technology, civil engineering science research by developing management returning from overseas to better adjust to the and architecture. Building a comprehensive studies. Life science, in particular, attracts our new environment here. As a returnee myself, I university will better serve these subjects by attention as China is still trailing other research experienced some diffi culties upon returning encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration. powerhouses in this aspect despite of the huge from Singapore, as the application for research potential. We want to channel our resources in grants requires time, energy and experienced Q. What are the research strengths of engineering and technologies to life sciences personnel, especially when it comes to major NanjingTech? research, contributing to the diagnosis and projects. Our buff er base initiative, therefore, As I have mentioned, our traditional strength treatment of major diseases. Th e successful will assist researchers throughout the process. lies in engineering and technology. Capitalizing implementation of this plan depends on It will also support the career development of on those strengths, we established the talented researchers. Th us, we have piloted a young researchers, since we are not only keen on Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM) in tenure-track system in the IAM and introduced attracting talented researchers, but also willing 2012, with a focus on fl exible electronics. incentive mechanisms to attract high-quality to invest in their future.

| NATUREJOBS | 10 NOVEMBER 2016 NOVEMBER 10 | NATUREJOBS | ADVERTISER RETAINS SOLE RESPONSIBILITY FOR CONTENT

Inside View (Classified) - Nanjing Tech Univ - Nature - Nov 10, 2016 - 279076.indd 2 11/2/16 9:39 AM ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Nanjing Tech University Buffer Base for Overseas Talents

he Buffer Base for Overseas Talents Hongyu Chen Yan Xiao at Nanjing Tech University was Professor and Executive Dean of Institute Professor and Dean of College of Civil T established in August 2012, based of Advanced Synthesis (IAS) Engineering on the Institute of Advanced Materials (IAM) Institute of Situated in a and the Institute of Advanced Synthesis Advanced region with rich (IAS). Led by Wei Huang, member of the Synthesis history and Chinese Academy of Sciences, the talent (IAS) is a new culture, com- base has quickly gathered more than 100 and vibrant bined with the distinguished scholars from world-class research centre most dynamic universities, such as Cambridge University, at Nanjing Tech development Imperial College London, Northwestern University. I decided to return to China and in the world, Nanjing Tech University University, University of California, National work in IAS because I have confidence in has embarked on a journey to challenge University of Singapore and Nanyang this new platform, where I can enjoy the the many outstanding unknowns fac- Technological University. Young scientists academic freedom and help others. With ing the mankind and to become a top active in the frontiers of science are the world-class faculty and facilities, along academic institution. I feel fortunate to backbone of the NanjingTech buffer base. with open and fair management, I believe join NanjingTech and to work with many The talent base is a pilot site of manage- that IAS will rise quickly among Chinese excellent scholars in an open and free ment reform at NanjingTech. With the aim academic institutions. academic environment. of building new mechanisms, platforms and organizational culture, it endeavors Xiao Huang Zexiang Shen to foster a supportive cultural and policy Professor of Institute of Advanced Professor and Dean of College of Overseas environment for the healthy develop- Materials (IAM) Education ment of high-quality researchers return- Trained as a Nanjing Tech ing from overseas. Following the culture materials en- University of “SCIENCE”, an acronym of Skepticism, gineer, I joined represents the Curiosity, Industriousness, Enthusiasm, Nanjing Tech new global Novelty, Confidence and Ethics, research- University for university in ers at the NanjingTech Buffer Base for its renowned China. Its ag- Overseas Talents have achieved a series of strength in gressive drive to high-visibility research results in advanced chemical and and engage world-class universities and chemical manufacturing, organic photon- engineering, as well as its reputation the rich history of Nanjing City have ics, nano-photonics, bioelectronics and as a cradle for many national top made NanjingTech a preferred choice power electronics. Their original works scientists and engineers. After joining for talented researchers. Many well- were published in top international aca- the university, I do feel its strong culture established scholars from overseas demic journals and have won high reputa- in research and innovation. Also, the are attracted to NanjingTech by its tion for IAM and IAS. university has provided flexible policies faculty-centred approach and the strong for new staff, especially those returning support from top management. With from overseas, to better accommodate a sizable foreign faculty and student to the new working environment. I think population and the metropolitan nature NanjingTech is the right place for young of the City, NanjingTech provides an researchers like me to begin our own ideal environment for international careers. faculties to work and live.

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IInsidenside ViewView (Classified)(Classified) - NanjingNanjing TechTech UnivUniv - NatureNature - NovNov 10,10, 20162016 - 279076.indd279076.indd 3 111/2/161/2/16 99:39:39 AMAM ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE SPOTLIGHT ON NANJING NATUREJOBS

Nanjing Tech University Building a comprehensive research university with global reach

Nanjing Tech University, a compre- with a focus on engineering. Staying true in universities. To seize new opportuni- hensive university with a focus on to the university motto of “honour the ties for growth, the university has set the engineering, is striving to become a moral integrity, strive for excellence, strategic goal of building a comprehen- world-class university by expanding persist in fortitude and combine learning sive, research-oriented and globalized its multidisciplinary programmes, en- and practice”, generations of NanjingTech university. At the moment, NanjingTech is hancing research excellence and pro- students and staff have overcome many striding towards its ambition to construct moting international collaboration. hurdles in exploring the frontiers of sci- world-class academic disciplines and be- ence. Their scientific achievements have come a first-class university. ocated in the culture-steeped city benefited all of humanity. To attain these goals, the university of Nanjing — an ancient capital of In 2013, NanjingTech witnessed is seeking to expand its comprehensive China — century-old Nanjing Tech breakthroughs in its reform and devel- range of programmes. It currently has 11 LUniversity (NanjingTech) boasts a rich opment. Being the leading founder of faculties and 29 schools, covering eight history and a solid reputation. Having the Synergetic Innovation Centre for academic disciplines: engineering, sci- nurtured a large number of talented re- Advanced Materials, it became one of the ence, medicine, management, econom- searchers and achieved fruitful research first 14 Chinese higher education institu- ics, law, humanities and arts. More than results, NanjingTech is attaining global tions selected for the Plan 2011, a nation- 30,000 students are enrolled in these renown as a comprehensive university al programme that promotes innovation programmes, and they are supported

Advertiser retains sole responsibility for content ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE SPOTLIGHT ON NANJING NATUREJOBS by around 2,800 faculty and staff. To en- hance its comprehensiveness, the univer- Research highlights sity is deepening its reforms in key areas, which include setting up and tailoring →→ Breakthrough in the research and development of organic optoelectron- academic programmes, enhancing stu- ics by achieving an ultralong excited state in organic molecules under ambient conditions, which will enable wider application of organic phos- dent support and scientific research, as phors. (Published in Nature Materials.) well as promoting development through cultural exchange. →→ Successful development of a novel optical data encryption and decryp- Research lies at the centre of tion technology by synthesizing luminophores based on phosphorescent iridium (III) complexes, enhancing the security of information transmis- NanjingTech’s push to become a world- sion. (Published in Nature Communications.) class university. High-level research is being conducted by the university’s elite →→ Fabrication of a perovskite light-emitting diode (LED), which has one of research team, including 7 members the highest energy conversion efficiencies in the world. (Published in of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Nature Photonics.) and Chinese Academy of Engineering, →→ Innovation of using ultrathin nickel-based hydroxide as a feasible and effec- 8 Cheung Kong Scholars sponsored tive encapsulation material for lithium/sulphur battery cathodes, signifi- by the Chinese Ministry of Education, cantly improving cell behaviours. (Published in Nature Communications.) eight chief scientists in charge of the →→ Design of innovative, environmentally friendly equipment for the pulp and national 973 Programme (National paper industry, achieving zero discharge of pulping wastewater with the Program of China), application of the membrane technology. 19 researchers recruited under the state 1,000 Talents Plan and 11 award- ees of the National Science Fund for Geared towards globalization, the university also adopts an innovative Distinguished Young Scholars. The uni- NanjingTech actively cooperates with human-resource management mode versity also supports more than 50 key world-class universities so as to draw on with new incentive policies, a talent mo- research-and-development institutions their experience and to create an innova- bility system, an updated compensation in various subject areas, five of which tive higher education institution with its assessment mechanism and all-rounded are at the national level. For instance, own characteristics. The university has service support. All these efforts are in the state-certified National Centre established partnerships with more than line with international standards and aim for International Research of Flexible 70 quality universities and research insti- to create a supportive and stimulating Electronic Materials and Devices and tutions in over 30 countries and regions environment where talented researchers the State Key Laboratory of Material- to collaborate on scientific research and can maximize their potential. Oriented Chemical Engineering are the student training. For instance, a joint Against the backdrop of the full imple- leading centres in their fields. Another institute with the University of Sheffield mentation of Plan 2011, NanjingTech is indicator of the university’s dedica- has been established, which offers building top-class research platforms and tion to research is its research budget, joint degree programmes in , cultural environment to attract and retain which has exceeded 3 billion RMB for financial mathematics and materials a high-quality faculty, whose intelligence the last decade, topping domestic uni- . The collaboration will extend to and efforts will underpin the goal to build versities of its kind. A large proportion Masters and PhD programmes, as well a comprehensive research university with of the science and technology research as research projects. Other research col- global reach and true excellence. budget comes from state-sponsored laborations include the joint laboratory projects, such as the National High-tech of plastic electronics with the Imperial Research and Development Programme College London, the joint research cen- (863 Programme) and the National Basic tre on organic semiconductor with the Research Programme (973 Programme). University of St. Andrews and the nano Since the beginning of this century, and biomaterial research centre with the NanjingTech’s strong research capac- Nanyang Technological University, as a ity has brought along numerous national few examples. awards, as well as international recogni- Globalization is also exemplified in the tion. Thanks to the faculty’s research university’s recruiting strategy. Taking Contact prowess and high-quality publications, a human-resource-centred approach, NanjingTech was ranked 46th among NanjingTech is making an all-out effort E-mail: [email protected] Chinese academic institutions, accord- to attract bright minds from around the Tel: 86 25 58139145 ing to the 2015 table of Nature Index, an world. In addition to flexible and vigor- 86 25 58139143, 86 25 58139140 indicator of high-quality research. ous talent recruitment mechanisms, Website: http://www.njtech.edu.cn

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