On the afternoon of December 15, the Symposium on Talent Development was held by the National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetic Improvement, HZAU to foster discussions on the noble spirits of educators and scientists. The attendees included Prof. Zhang Qifa (a member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences), Prof. Zhang Xianlong (a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering), Prof. Yan Jianbing, (Vice President of HZAU) and representatives of scholars from the Laboratory and young faculty.
At the meeting, Prof. Zhang Xianlong expressed appreciation for Prof. Zhang Qifa’s guidance on his education and research development. Then, he underscored several pivotal proposals pertaining to the development of young professionals. First, they should emphasize the coordinated development of upstream, midstream and downstream industries in industrial chains and continuously introduce new technologies and platforms to closely align themselves with major national needs. Second, they should focus on team building by establishing a benefits-sharing and risk-pooling mechanism to ensure better management. Third, they should strengthen academic norms, keep the bottom line in mind, and develop a rigorous academic atmosphere. Fourth, they should foster the integration of theoretical and applied research. Fifth, they should promote the spirits of scientists, enhance personal development, embrace a moderate lifestyle and pursue academic excellence and maintain an inclusive attitude towards criticism and suggestions from others. In addition, he shared the motto “vitality and vigor” that Prof. Zhang Qifa bestowed upon him, to encourage everyone to further strengthen their drive and aspire to new heights of achievements.
Prof. Yan hailed Prof. Zhang Xianlong for his relentless perseverance, constant innovation and exemplary guidance, which provide spiritual guidance for the growth of young professionals. When discussing research and innovation, Prof. Yan emphasized the crucial importance for young educators to enhance technological innovation and interdisciplinary integration. By fostering international exchanges and cooperation, they can effectively leverage their basic research advantages to drive creation of new germplasm resources, thereby improving their original innovation capability.
Then, young faculty had in-depth discussions on various topics including personal development plans, current challenges, and recommendations for talent training of the Laboratory.
Prof. Zhang Qifa delivered a concluding speech, acknowledging that the Laboratory, established over 30 years ago, has produced four academicians, indicating a strong foundation and a promising future. He told teachers that, to grow from young talent to scientist, one should not only have a long-term goal, full of enthusiasm, initiative and foresight, but also adhere to a challenging and promising direction and work for it patiently. Furthermore, he stressed the need to anchor oneself to a challenging and promising direction and be committed to thorough and meticulous work. He encouraged active participation in international collaborations to broaden perspectives, ignite determination, and establish stable and extensive international friendships. He also highlighted the importance of fostering a sense of teamwork, focusing on shared concerns, engaging in cross-crop collaborative endeavors, and truly embodying the principles of the “four orientations” – the world frontiers of science and technology, the main battlefield of economy, major national needs, and people’s life and health.
Source: https://news.hzau.edu.cn/2023/1218/68707.shtml
Translated by: Wang Jiahao
Proofread by: Song Bowen
Supervised by: Xie Lujie
