On September 20, Dr. Xiankang Dou, Member of CPC Leading Group of the Ministry of Science and Technology, Secretary of CPC Leading Group and President of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), led a delegation on a visit to the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (EIT) to gain insights into the university's research platforms and educational practices. Prof. Shiyi Chen, President of EIT and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, welcomed Dr. Dou and the delegation on behalf of the university.
Dr. Yujie Lan, Member of CPC Leading Group and Vice President of NSFC, along with relevant officials from the organization, joined the visit. Mr. Weifeng Jiang, Member of the Standing Committee of the Ningbo Municipal Committee of the CPC and Director of the Organization Department, and Dr. Xiaocheng Fei, Director and Secretary of CPC Leading Group of the Ningbo Municipal Science and Technology Bureau, accompanied the delegation.
Prof. Dongxiao Zhang, Executive Vice President and Provost of EIT and Member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering; Prof. Wenjun Zeng, Vice President of EIT and Internation Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering; Prof. Xueliang Sun, Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering and Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada; and Prof. Dayong Jin, Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, accompanied the visit and attended the symposium.
During the symposium, Dr. Dou shared his perspectives on fundamental research and the cultivation of young scientific talent, drawing on the reform initiatives and practices of the NSFC.
He noted that China's scientific and technological development is rapidly moving from a stage of catching up to a position of leadership, and that continued efforts are needed to produce original breakthroughs that advance science and technology worldwide. Dr. Dou emphasized that the NSFC will continue to promote a balanced approach combining free exploration with strategic priorities, strengthen support for original innovation, and provide outstanding young researchers with long-term, stable funding. He stressed the importance of moving beyond short-term and utilitarian evaluation approaches. Through detailed data analysis, he highlighted China's advantages in the scale and composition of its young scientific talent pool, noting that young researchers represent a vital force in building China into a great power in science and technology. The NSFC will continue to support them in pursuing ambitious research with sustained focus and dedication.
Dr. Dou stated that new type of research universities bear an important responsibility for exploring innovative models for cultivating top-tier talent and advancing fundamental research. He expressed hope that EIT would fully leverage its institutional strengths, make effective use of global talent recruitment channels, continue attracting outstanding young researchers, explore uncharted frontiers of science, and achieve more landmark advances in original and transformative research, contributing to China's pursuit of sci-tech self-reliance and self-strengthening at higher levels.
Prof. Chen said that Prof. Dou's remarks provided important guidance for the university's development. As a new type of research university, EIT remains committed to its founding vision of being "High-caliber foundation, Compact yet distinguished, Research Oriented and Globally engaged." Focusing on strategically important fields including artificial intelligence, integrated circuits, life and health sciences, and new energy and advanced materials, the university recognizes its responsibility to address national priorities and contribute to global scientific advancement. EIT Ningbo will fully implement national initiatives to advance fundamental research and foster the development of young scientific talent. The university is committed to creating an open and supportive academic environment that enables faculty and students to pursue long-term, focused research. It will continue exploring new approaches in original and interdisciplinary research, as well as in the cultivation of outstanding young researchers, with the aim of producing world-leading original breakthroughs at an early stage.
Prof. Zhang delivered a comprehensive presentation on EIT's institutional positioning, faculty development, and research innovation. He introduced the university's progress in building a high-level, internationally diverse research community, noting that several faculty members have been recognized among the world's top 2% of scientists. The university has achieved a number of notable advances in original and interdisciplinary research. Prof. Zhang also outlined EIT's ongoing efforts and future plans in young researcher development, exploratory and interdisciplinary research, and the establishment of high-caliber research platforms.
During the visit, Dr. Dou and the delegation toured the university library and key research facilities. They learned about EIT's efforts in advancing library development, pioneering next-generation battery technologies through research on all-solid-state batteries in collaboration with leading industry partners, exploring "AI for Science" approaches in artificial intelligence and automated chemistry, and developing nanoscale technologies for organelle precision diagnostics and therapy in the life and health sciences.
