On the morning of May 18, 2024, the Shanghai Science and Technology Festival opened at the Zhangjiang Science Hall in Pudong. Gong Xingao, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and director of the Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Computational Matter Science at Fudan University, walked the "red carpet" and stepped onto the "metaverse science red carpet" for the first time.
He is not only a senior computational condensed matter physicist and academician, but also a specially appointed professor in the Department of Physics at Fudan University, a hero of education in Shanghai, and a school principal.
Previously, Gong Xingao was interviewed by PingWest Technology on topics such as basic research, the South Australia Science Conference (referred to as the "South Australia Conference"), and university student education.
"Xiangshan in the north, South Australia in the south." The South Australia Science Conference initiated and organized by Academician Gong Xingao is modeled after the Xiangshan Science Conference.
Three years ago, on April 7, 2021, he became the president of Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (referred to as "Guangyi"), the only Sino-foreign cooperative university of science and engineering in China.
In September 2023, he was awarded the title of "Shanghai Education Hero."
Academician Gong Xingao said that he has an observation: rooted in the Israeli education model are two things, curiosity and tolerance of failure.
"Why is the latter important? A professor from Israel once asked me, 'How many of the things you do every day are successful?' Hua Luogeng also said - you must dare to make mistakes. When you make all the mistakes, you will eventually find the answer. But many people lack this courage and this courage."
At the 2024 Shanghai Science and Technology Festival, Academician Gong Xingao from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Director of the Key Laboratory of Computational Matter Science at Fudan University walked the "Metaverse Science Red Carpet."
Encouraging researchers to endure sitting on the cold bench, it is essential to first perfect the relevant mechanisms.
For some time now, "basic research" has been a hot topic on many people's lips. But has it been mentioned too much?
Gong Xingao doesn't think so. Basic research is the wellspring of innovation. "Without basic research, how can you create something new?" he says.
His research focuses on computational condensed matter physics, falling within the realm of basic research. Specifically, his work includes molecular dynamics methods and applications, theoretical studies of nanosystem properties, design and computation of new energy materials, and the structure and dynamic properties of surfaces and interfaces.
Born in June 1962 in Changsha County, Hunan Province, he served as a research intern, assistant researcher, associate researcher, and researcher at the Institute of Solid State Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences from 1985 to 2005. He became a professor in the Department of Physics at Fudan University in 2000 and has been the director of the Key Laboratory of Computational Matter Science under the Ministry of Education since 2009. He was awarded the National Distinguished Youth Fund in 1999 and elected as an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in 2017.
In an interview with PingWest Technology, Gong Xingao mentioned that while the term "basic research" has indeed been frequently mentioned in recent years, from a certain perspective, it is still not enough. Specifically, China's investment in basic research is insufficient. Developed countries allocate 16% to 18% of their total research expenditure to basic research, whereas China has only reached around 6% in recent years. "So, in a sense, our emphasis on basic research is still far from sufficient."
Academician Gong Xingao also emphasized the relationship between research investment and economic development, stating that "we must first fill our stomachs." He highlighted the fundamental breakthroughs in basic research that China needs to compete with others, especially after decades of labor-intensive earnings through reform and opening up. Therefore, enhancing and strengthening basic research is indeed an area where China needs to exert significant efforts.
He pointed out that the core characteristics of basic research are the generation of new knowledge and the cultivation of talent. Many talents can be nurtured through the exploration process of basic research.
Regarding the encouragement for researchers to endure sitting on the cold bench, Academician Gong Xingao believes that it is crucial to first perfect the relevant mechanisms and have those cold benches available. He mentioned issues with the system and mechanisms in many places where individuals have to bid farewell after a few years, with a "promote or leave" mentality. If one cannot get promoted, their salary does not increase, and it may even cause trouble in their personal life.
Academician Gong Xingao, a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and President of the Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, delivered a speech at the eighth meeting of the South Australia Science Conference held in January 2024. The theme of this symposium was "Science via AI" (SCIviaAI).
Launching the more "divine" South Australia Science Conference to attract talent
The South Australia Science Conference focuses on cutting-edge basic research, facilitates academic exchanges, and plans to hold 6-8 meetings per year. It also requires that young scholars under the age of 45 account for a considerable proportion of the participating experts.
One of the secretariats and organizing units is affiliated with the Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, where Academician Gong Xingao serves as the President.
"The Xiangshan Conference may be the longest-running scientific conference in China's history. It is centered around discussing and initiating projects. In contrast, our conference is entirely focused on basic research. The Xiangshan Conference is sometimes referred to as the 'Immortals Conference,' while our South Australia Conference may be even more 'divine,'" Gong Xingao stated.
He explained that the Xiangshan Science Conference aims to formulate proposals for specific projects, usually to apply for project approval and research funding from relevant national departments. In contrast, their conference is more like a "divine battle," with discussions lasting much longer than presentations, aimed at addressing a scientific problem through intense debates with fewer constraints.
On February 8, 2023, in Nanao County, Shantou City, Guangdong Province, the South Australia Science Conference was launched, and its first meeting was convened.
The conference was organized by the Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province and the People's Government of Shantou City, with the Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Fund Committee and the Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology as the organizers.
The inaugural meeting of the South Australia Science Conference was attended by 20 academicians and over 60 experts and scholars from various fields, forming an unprecedented high-level "Academician Alliance" in the local area.
Regarding the origin of the South Australia Science Conference, Academician Gong Xingao stated that China needs a platform for exchanging basic research. Basic research has its unique characteristics, dealing with completely unknown phenomena that require collisions of ideas, fostering intense discussions for innovative solutions.
Furthermore, Shantou needs such a platform.
Through this platform, renowned scholars and experts are attracted and gathered, bringing more talent, resources, and opportunities to Shantou. As Shantou's high-tech industry has yet to fully develop, Gong Xingao hopes to create a small Silicon Valley-like entity, establishing technological platforms to drive the city's technological industry and planning. This initiative aims to encourage professors to establish technology companies, assist tech talents from other regions to settle and thrive in Shantou, ultimately promoting the development of the region's technology industry and economy.
Additionally, he emphasized that the people of Shantou are intelligent and capable but need a stage to showcase their talents. "By organizing the South Australia Science Conference, we aim to provide outstanding Chaoshan people with more reasons to return home."
In its inaugural year, the South Australia Science Conference successfully held eight meetings, attracting over 200 experts and scholars to discuss topics such as basic research, quantum materials and control, and efficient integration of optoelectronics, pooling intellectual resources to drive advancements in related fields. In 2024, "Science via AI" became a hot topic of discussion among experts.
Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) is currently the only Sino-foreign cooperative university in science and engineering in China.
A research-oriented university that inspires students' potential.
Academician Gong Xingao is the second president of GTIIT.
GTIIT, abbreviated from Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, is an independent Sino-foreign cooperative university jointly established by the globally renowned Technion - Israel Institute of Technology and Shantou University (STU).
"It's a very good school." "It's not easy for people from two different cultural backgrounds to come together and run a university." Gong Xingao said that these are two very robust cultures with strong personalities, and the process of adaptation lasted for four to five years. Now, there are basically no obvious conflicts. "I have worked in Chinese universities, and I know that the internal conflicts in other universities may be even greater than this."
GTIIT is a research-oriented university.
Why do we need research-oriented universities? Academician Gong Xingao pointed out that students feel differently in such schools. In teaching-oriented universities, classes are held in teaching laboratories. "Our students are very busy after class. They need to go to the laboratory to see what cutting-edge research is about. They need exposure! They start participating in specific research projects in their second year. Students with such experiences have different innovative abilities." "We clearly state in our contracts that our professors spend 40% of their time teaching and the rest on research. This is a difference between research-oriented and teaching-oriented universities."
Academician Gong Xingao mentioned that the history of research-oriented universities in China is very short and actually emerged after the "985 Project" when the country began massive investments in university research projects.
Here, students' academic performance and capabilities have exceeded his expectations. He shared a recent experience where a student approached him in a restaurant and asked, "President, can I have a meal with you?"
On July 10, 2023, the Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) held its third graduation ceremony. Professor Gong Xingao, President of GTIIT and academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, encouraged the graduates to carry wisdom and resilience, and to write the courageous journey of life.
"You can tell at a glance that this student is exceptional, right? Most students are usually afraid of the president. I said, of course, welcome. After sitting down, he formally introduced himself, mentioning his grade and major. I asked about his college entrance exam scores. He said he didn't pass the first time, and his father wanted him to come home and do business. He firmly refused. The next year, he got into GTIIT with the lowest scores. In the first three months, he couldn't understand the classes at all. We teach in English. He stayed up copying notes every day until 11 p.m. After three months, he started to understand. Why did he work so hard? He said his father didn't want him to go to school, but he was determined to excel. Now he is the top student in his year. He is very busy with social work, lab work, and helping his juniors. Such a child will truly become a talent in the future, with a broad vision and strong abilities. This is the value of our existence at GTIIT," Gong Xingao said.
On May 15, 2024, the photo exhibition "Exploring the Beauty of the Microscopic World, Seeking Research Adventures" officially opened at the first-floor exhibition hall of the North Campus Teaching Building of Guangdong Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.
(Original title: Academician Gong Xingao on the Red Carpet: Encouraging researchers to sit on the cold bench, first and foremost, one must have a cold bench)
