Looking Back on the Road to Success in Conversation with Bao Xinhe, Ustc President

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE LOOKING BACK ON THE ROAD TO SUCCESS IN CONVERSATION WITH BAO XINHE, USTC PRESIDENT

Under what circumstances was USTC founded? We have been instrumental in establishing the Hefei Comprehensive During the science and technology boom in the late 1950s, the Chinese National Science Centre. Our next endeavours aimed at driving regional government identified the need for a new research university featuring and national development include: the quantum information national science and technology. In 1958, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) laboratory, which is under construction and a partnership with CAS; the new came up with a proposal for such an institution, and, four months later, Faculty of Life Sciences and Medicine, which integrates science, engineering USTC was founded in Beijing. CAS leveraged its resources to support the and biomedicine; and the development of ‘new engineering’, a field that new university and encouraged the integration of its institutions with USTC focuses on big data, AI and information sciences. departments. Having attracted some of China’s most renowned scientists at the time, such as Yan Jici, Hua Luogeng and Hsue-Shen Tsien, USTC’s How does USTC integrate research and education? founding was a milestone in the history of Chinese science and education. Our advantages are bolstered by our close connection with CAS, with We have quickly built our reputation in academic communities nationally many of our chairpeople also acting as directors of CAS institutes. This and abroad. In the 1990s, we were among the first group of universities allows our students to be deeply involved with CAS research projects. We selected for the national Project 211 and Project 985 initiatives. also collaborate with CAS to pilot talent training reforms and explore the cultivation of innovation through a network that integrates research and What makes USTC unique? education. This has led to 11 elite science and technology classes, nine joint We look for quality and emphasize elite education. Our subject areas classes with CAS institutes and six joint colleges. By pioneering the class for may not be completely comprehensive, but we have 12 subjects ranked gifted young students 40 years ago, which is now set to become the School among the top 1% globally according to the Essential Science Indicators, of the Gifted Young, as well as graduate education in China, we have always including four in the top 0.1%. Our undergraduate student body is not been a forerunner in Chinese higher education reform. huge, but within it we have a group of science and technology leaders, with approximately one CAS or CAE member per 1,000 graduates. What are your development plans for USTC? Our uniqueness is also defined by our core values, which emphasize Joining the national ‘Double First Class’ initiative provides us with new student education, research excellence, and serving our society. Our opportunities for growth. We are striving to build a world-class university professors, both young and senior, all teach undergraduate courses and with unique characteristics, and to eventually become a key centre for enjoy a close connection with students. We encourage curiosity- basic research breakthroughs and innovation, a national science and driven exploration, interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration education hub, a global platform for academic exchange, and a in research. Our educational and academic programmes source of innovative ideas. are designed to serve society. From our founders to our We are now building a USTC high-tech park, which, together graduates, USTC people have helped China become a with our other efforts, will link research with talent training research powerhouse. and a translation pipeline. We also have plans to broaden our international exchange and enhance our societal impact. How does USTC use science and technology to serve As we celebrate our 60-year anniversary, we will bring China? together our alumni and friends from all circles to USTC has always been committed to serving create a bright future for USTC. n national strategic needs. In the early years, we supported defence projects via our research and education programmes. These days, our breakthroughs in quantum information, Bao Xinhe, high-temperature superconductivity, USTC nanotechnology, AI and speech president recognition, Earth and environmental sciences and life sciences have boosted technological innovation. We have also played a key role in major national projects, such as the Wukong satellite, Micius mission, and the Experimental

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