Yong River Tide Surging, Innovation Setting Sail.
From June 6 to 7, 2026, the Yongriver Forum took place at the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (EIT). Nearly 80 outstanding young scholars from world-leading universities and research institutions, including Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Oxford, gathered along the Yong River. They engaged in in-depth discussions on cutting-edge scientific questions and technological innovation achievements, writing a new chapter for EIT on this dynamic land of innovation.
Professor Shiyi Chen, President of EIT and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, extended a warm welcome to the young scholars from around the globe. Since its inception in 2022, the Yongriver Forum has been successfully held five times. Over 40 outstanding young scholars among EIT's high-level talent pool have joined the institute through this forum. These scholars have been steadily advancing in their respective fields, making notable achievements, and have grown into a vital new force driving the institute's development.
Address by President Shiyi Chen
Facing the Yong River and embracing the world, President Shiyi Chen observed that EIT is a new type of research university built on the principles of being a "High-Caliber Foundation, Compact yet Distinguished, Research Oriented, Globally Engaged" institution. EIT, he said, is committed to exploring new pathways for China's higher education, cultivating top-tier innovative talents, and tackling core technologies. He noted that to the east lies the vast ocean – and it is there that EIT aims to build its dreams and shape the future. He welcomed all young talents who aspire to serve the nation to join EIT, and he called on them to work together with the spirit of wave breakers and the courage of pioneers – to envision a grand blueprint for a new type of research university and to set sail toward a boundless sea of possibilities.
Address by Professor Dongxiao Zhang
Professor Dongxiao Zhang, Executive Vice President of EIT, outlined the institute's progress in disciplinary layout, talent cultivation, faculty development, and scientific research. He noted that EIT has been actively exploring innovations in talent recruitment and development, research organization, and institutional mechanisms, with a strong emphasis on talent cultivation and the development of a distinctive model for nurturing talents. Rooted in Ningbo and empowering its industries, EIT consistently aligns with national strategic needs, embodying the virtuous cycle in which a first-class city nurtures a first-class university, and in turn, a first-class university supports a first-class city.
Address by Professor Chunmiao Zheng
Professor Chunmiao Zheng, Vice President of EIT, noted that the Yongriver Forum serves as a vital platform for EIT to connect with outstanding scholars at home and abroad. Since its founding, the forum has continuously linked scholars worldwide, while also witnessing the institute's rapid development—from its initial planning and establishment to full operation, and from disciplinary structuring to the clustering of high-level talent. He expressed hope that the Yongriver Forum will become fertile ground for talent growth, where creativity and innovation surge and thrive along the Yong River.
Yijie Pan, Director of the Office of Research, introduces Research Platforms
Dr. Shudi Bao, Assistant Dean of the Ningbo Institute of Digital Twin, introduces the institute's progress
EIT relies on major research platforms as cornerstones to support original innovations. Yijie Pan, Director of the Office of Research, detailed EIT's research platforms, while Dr. Shudi Bao, Assistant Dean of the Ningbo Institute of Digital Twin, presented the institute's progress. Focusing on national strategic priorities, regional development needs, and global frontiers of science and technology, EIT concentrates on cutting-edge and interdisciplinary fields such as artificial intelligence, integrated circuit, unmanned technology, new energy & new materials, intelligent manufacturing, and life and health. By building a number of major national, provincial, and municipal research platforms as well as university-industry collaborative laboratories, EIT has formed an "EIT series" science and innovation matrix, yielding a series of high-level research achievements.
Professor Gang Xu, Vice Dean of the College of Information Science and Technology, Chair Professor, Foreign Member of the Engineering Academy of Japan, shares reasons for joining EIT
Professor Gang Xu, Vice Dean of the College of Information Science and Technology, Chair Professor, Foreign Member of the Engineering Academy of Japan, recounted why he returned from Japan to join EIT, dedicating himself to advancing the industrialization of humanoid robotics. He believes that choosing EIT is "embarking on a startup venture" rather than "taking a job." For an academic entrepreneur, joining a university in a critical transition period—from "successful establishment" to "successful operation"—is the most attractive aspect.
Associate Professor Yiming Qin of the College of Engineering shares her work and life at EIT
From Harvard University to City University of Hong Kong, and then to EIT, Associate Professor Yiming Qin of the College of Engineering, in a segment featuring young scholar representatives, shared her work and life at EIT. She participated in the Yongriver Forum 2024, officially joined EIT in early September last year, and witnessed the New Student Convocation of EIT's inaugural undergraduate cohort.
"Can I get started quickly? Can I keep growing? Can I stay for the long term?"
After posing these three questions to herself — comparing a mature university system with a growing one — she made her choice. Nearly a year after joining EIT, she believes the decision was absolutely right:"I am so glad I came — because here, I am not just meeting KPIs; I am participating in creation."
Yongriver Forum 2026 was hosted by the Office of Global Engagement at EIT and sponsored by Jiaochuan Subdistrict Office of Zhenhai District. A total of 455 young scholars applied, and nearly 80 participated online or in person, hailing from Harvard University, the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Nanyang Technological University, and other top global universities.
The opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Chunmiao Zheng. Attendees included Mr. Bo Jin, the Party Committee Secretary of EIT, all faculty members on the teaching and research track, and heads of relevant units and departments.
Invited scholars delivered academic presentations across nine parallel sessions organized by the College of Science, the College of Engineering, and the College of Information Science and Technology. They shared research findings and experiences, discussed key topics in their disciplines, and engaged in diverse intellectual exchanges.
