Following the official inauguration of The Eastern Institute of Technology in Ningbo, a high-level forum on "World Changes and University Development" convened on November 29. Professor Chen Qiuming, secretary of the Party Committee of Shenzhen Technology University (SZTU), participated in a roundtable on the development and challenges of emerging research universities and delivered a keynote address on their core characteristics.

Experts discuss the development and challenges of emerging research universities. [Photo/The Eastern Institute of Technology]

"Innovative Research Universities must break free from the traditional academic logic driven solely by 'disciplinary origins'," stated Professor Chen. "Instead, they should pivot towards a logic guided by 'national strategic needs' and 'practical problem-solving' for industry. This represents a fundamental strategic transformation for universities from being mere 'knowledge producers' to becoming 'value creators,' actively participating in and driving the fourth scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation."

Professor Chen Qiuming delivers a keynote speech. [Photo/The Eastern Institute of Technology]

As a key participant in the higher education innovation of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, SZTU has committed to this path since its establishment in 2018. Professor Chen elaborated that the university is grounded in the core philosophy of "application-driven scholarship and scholarship for application." This is realized through eight key principles: a high-standard founding vision, deep integration of industry-education and science-education, innovative discipline and program development, new goals and methods for talent cultivation, novel scientific research paradigms, a diversified faculty structure, reformed evaluation standards, and modernized university governance mechanisms. These principles, he concluded, form the solid foundation for building a new research university.

Drafted by Brian（郑斌）/ International Cooperation and Exchanges Department

Revised by Brian（郑斌）/ International Cooperation and Exchanges Department

Edited by Brian（郑斌）/ International Cooperation and Exchanges Department