On April 25, 2024 Zhongguancun Forum - International Forum on Basic Research for Sustainable Development was successfully held in Beijing. As one of the series activities of Zhongguancun Forum, the forum was co-sponsored by the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and hosted by the Bureau of International Cooperation, the Bureau of Frontier Sciences and Education, the Bureau of Science and Technology Promotion for Development, and the Institute of Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. More than 90 international students from the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (hereinafter referred to as “UCAS”) were invited to participate in the forum.
At the opening ceremony of the forum, CHANG Jin, vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and HAN Yu, vice president and Secretary General of National Natural Science Foundation of China, delivered speeches, stressing the irreplaceable role of basic research in scientific and technological innovation and sustainable social development. Renowned scholars and researchers from all over the world participated in the forum, focusing on the theme of “Gathering the power of young talents in basic research”, and jointly discussed the importance of basic research in sustainable development through keynote presentations, invited presentations and youth dialogue. The significance and path of basic research in promoting global scientific progress and solving sustainable development issues were discussed.
Speech by Chang Jin
In the keynote and invited presentations session, Akira Fujijima, honorary professor of the University of Tokyo, made a keynote presentation on “What is the main purpose of research?”, which emphasized the original intention and significance of scientific research work. Horst Stöcker, former vice president of Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres, gave a detailed introduction to the research in the field of antimatter and ion, showing the latest achievements and research directions in this field. In addition, the participating experts and scholars from the UK, Italy, Germany and other countries also made in-depth academic reports on issues related to basic research promoting sustainable development, shared their own experience and achievements in the field of scientific research, and discussed the frontier issues of basic research as well as the importance and prospects of international cooperation.
Expert’ Presentation
At the end of the forum, Chinese and foreign scholars held discussions and dialogues on basic research and the growth of young talents, and explored the roles and responsibilities of young talents in scientific and technological cooperation. They shared their scientific research experience and sentiment, providing valuable guidance and suggestions for young people. The young students at the meeting actively participated in the discussion, raised their own questions and opinions, and had in-depth exchanges and interactions with the scholars.
Youth Dialogue Salon
The UCAS international students listened carefully to the special report, and had in-depth exchanges and discussions with experts and scholars in the question-and-answer session. PRARTHANA BARUAH, Ph.D., from the Institute of Tibetan Plateau Research, said, "It was a great experience to attend the 2024 ZGC FORUM ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Sustainable development is the pathway for a better future and one of the agenda of this year’s conference was “The International Forum on Basic Research for Sustainable Development”. The opportunity to listen to renowned scientists and expert about their achievements and future prospects was very enlightening and enriching. The best part of the conference was the interactive session with the discussion panel on different challenges faced by young researchers. It was not only informative, but also inspiring and has provided new insights into overcoming the obstacles faced while maintaining a positive attitude towards our research and having a healthy work-life balance." FARWA JABEEN, Ph.D., from Institute of Physics, stated:" Participating in the Zhongguancun Forum was a truly enriching experience for me. The opportunity to engage with leading thinkers, innovators, and experts from various fields was both inspiring and enlightening. Each discussion and presentation provided valuable insights and perspectives, broadening my understanding of current trends and future developments in technology, business, and society. Moreover, the atmosphere of collaboration and exchange fostered a sense of camaraderie among participants, creating a vibrant platform for meaningful dialogue and idea-sharing. I found myself immersed in thought-provoking discussions, challenging my own assumptions and expanding my horizons. Overall, the Zhongguancun Forum left me feeling not only happy but also invigorated and motivated to continue exploring new ideas and pushing the boundaries of knowledge and innovation. It was a privilege to be a part of such a dynamic and forward-thinking community, and I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the dialogue shaping the future of our world."
Questions from international students at UCAS
UCAS international students listen to expert presentations
UCAS international students listen to expert presentations
Group photo of UCAS international students
