Minister of Education Huai Jinpeng made an inspection trip to Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, on Feb. 23. He visited Shenzhen Guangming Science City and a number of research institutions in the city, including Shenzhen Medical Academy of Research and Translation (SMART), Shenzhen University of Advanced Technology, and XtalPi, an AI-powered pharmaceutical research company. He also presided over a symposium on pushing forward the development of several new-style research-oriented universities in Shenzhen.

Huai recalled President Xi’s remarks at the latest National Education Conference, emphasizing the increasingly pivotal role of education in enhancing the country’s core strength through top-notch talent cultivation and technology innovation. Huai noted that the rapid development of new technologies has created unprecedented opportunities for transforming university development models. He said that developing a new type of research university is a key step in exploring new models and practices of university governance, talent cultivation, technological innovation, and faculty development. He also said that such a move would facilitate the expansion of high-quality higher education resources and provide strong support for China’s ongoing modernization drive.

Huai highlighted the importance of integrating education, science and technology, and talent cultivation. He also stressed the need to encourage the integration of industry and academia while boosting the development of emerging disciplines and cooperation between different disciplines. He suggested that the Guangdong Provincial Government increase its support for the development of innovative research universities by leveraging the unique geographical advantages of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

Top officials from the Guangdong Provincial Government and Shenzhen Municipal Government participated in the inspection activities. At the symposium, leaders of several major research universities in Shenzhen shared their insights.