On December 18, 2016, Dongrun Forum of Innovation and the Future of Education jointly held by Tsinghua University and Dongrun Foundation opened at Tsinghua University in Beijing, kicking off a summit dialogue in science that brought together old and young participants from various countries and fields of study. Nobel Laureate in Physics Chen-Ning Yang, Nobel Laureate in Economics Eric Maskin, Fields medallist, Tenured Professor of Harvard and member of the National Academy of Sciences of United States Shing-Tung Yau, Party Secretary of Tsinghua University Xu Chen, as well as many other distinguished scholars and entrepreneurs from home and abroad were invited to the Forum to join the discussion on “innovations in science and a better future”.
Nobel Laureate in Physics Chen-Ning Yang Addressed the Audience
The Dongrun Forum of Innovation and the Future of Education is intended to create a communication platform for Chinese youth to meet scientists, educationists, entrepreneurs and philanthropists who has made great contributions in various areas, encourage young people to devote to scientific research and innovation, improve the scientific awareness of the public, especially the youngsters, call on the society to care for science education and innovation and make their share of contribution to the training of young science talents. The auditorium was filled with students from various universities, people from the media, and winners of Dongrun-Yau Science Award, which is now described by some as the “Chinese Youth Nobel”. Students with a passion for science and creation were keen to share their opinions with the experts and scholars. It was an exciting beginning of idea exchanges on science, innovation and the future.
Nobel Laureate in Economics Eric Maskin Delivered a Keynote Speech
The first Dongrun Forum is an event of historical significance. Two major activities on the agenda were keynote speeches and thematic discussions. The speeches were delivered by leading experts in the fields of economics, mathematics, physics, life sciences and commerce. Their revolutionary thinking gave the audience a glimpse of the latest trends in science and business. The discussions covered themes of “A Better Future through Scientific Innovation”, “Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality” and “Life Sciences”. The aim was to find effective ways for scientific achievements to be better used in reality, also for the innovative spirit of science to become a more influential factor in the development of social economy.
Party Secretary of Tsinghua University Xu Chen Delivered a Speech
Party Secretary of Tsinghua University Xu Chen said in her speech that training young talents had always been a fundamental mission of the university. They are dedicated to training well-educated, outstanding, innovative students in all areas for the development and prosperity of the nation. In recent years, the university has been devoted to pushing reform programs with an emphasis on teaching and curricula system. On the basis of focusing on the essential task of moral education while keeping pace with the long-term development strategy of the nation and future trends of the world, as well as further promoting innovations in the talent training scheme, the university has established an education mode that combines value shaping, ability training and knowledge teaching. The university will continue to improve a world-class education system with Chinese characteristics as well as Tsinghua’s very own style, and help all students to achieve healthy personality, creative thinking, extensive knowledge, a global perspective and a sense of social responsibility. Innovative education is an important part of the university’s work. Tsinghua will contribute its share of efforts to build an innovation-oriented country and realize the Chinese dream and the nation’s “two century-goals”.
94-year-old Nobel Laureate Chen-Ning Yang joined the event and highly praised the Forum. He said when he addressed the audience: “Chinese youngsters have a very deep sense of responsibility. They think it is their duty to do something for the country, for their ancesters, for their parents. It is one of the best traditions in Chinese culture. Foundations supported by entrepreneurs, such as Dongrun Foundation, will undoubtedly help thousands of young people and contribute to social progress.”
Fields medallist and Harvard Professor Shing-Tung Yau Addressed the Audience
Professor Shing-Tung Yau said in his speech that it is an exciting thing to devote your whole life to pure science. “Competitions like the Dongrun-Yau Science Award would not have been possible seven or eight years ago,” he said, “but yesterday we witnessed the outstanding works of some outstanding students. Government funding and financial support from entrepreneurs evidently made a big difference. It is my hope that we will continue to see more investment in education from the government and more support from private businesses. I think what these young people achieve in the future will bring great benefits to China and China’s business community.”
Eric Maskin, one of the most respected masters of economic studies today, delivered a keynote speech on “Mechanism Design and Artificial Intelligence: Should Economics and Computer Science Be Taught Together?” Mr. Maskin has always been diligent in training young talents. Many of his pupils are now leading economists working in countries around the world, and in China, six of them have been referred to as his “six disciples”. Professor Lo Yang, member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences shared with the audience his opinions on China’s high school education. The Forum opened a platform of communication for participants of all ages, as well as a means for the innovative spirit of science to be passed down from the old to the young and the interaction will make it an ever greater influence.
Winners of the Dongrun-Yau Science Award also attracted much attention at the Forum. The students shared their experience at the competition. Alone the way of exploring the world of science, they not only made academic achievements, but also learned the fun of innovation.
Chairman of Taikang Life Insurance Group Dongsheng Chen as moderator at the discussions.
Zhixun Shen (first from right), Yingyi Qian (second from right), Ying Wu (third from left) and Zhenhua Mao (second from left) joined the event.
Chairman of Taikang Life Insurance Group Dongsheng Chen moderated the first round of discussion on “A Better Future through Scientific Innovation”. Talking about innovation and education, he said that there are many ways to resolve the conflict between the traditional education system and the present day needs, and Dongrun-Yau Science Award proved to be a valuable supplement with its innovative practices to improve the existing system. After the discussion with four leading experts, Mr. Chen encouraged the students to make progress step by step. “There’s no need to rush forward and seek quick success,” he said, “try to be a long-distance runner instead of a sprinter on the journey of life.” It is the same for business enterprises. It took Taikang Life Insurance Group 20 years to make a dream come true and work its way toward world top 500.
Whether it is to realize the science dreams of youngsters or to establish national identity and a sense of mission and social responsibility, constant innovation will always be an inseparable part of the pursuit. Dongrun Forum of Innovation and the Future of Education is a public platform where Chinese youngsters can connect to the frontier of science and creation, and the older generation of scientists can pass down the spirit of science and innovation.
President of Dongrun Foundation Dongmei Kong Addressed the Audience
As for the intension of creating the Forum, President of Dongrun Foundation Dongmei Kong said that “children are our future. The future of science lies in the hands of every science-loving child. It is our mission to help young people realize their dreams in the world of science.” Dongrun Forum will carry on the mission of advocating the spirit of science and promoting a scientific way of thinking, continue to support the development of science, contribute our efforts to influence the next generation and make a difference in China and the world with the innovative spirit of science.