On the afternoon of June 26, KLASCC organized the first Young Scholars Symposium. The event was attended by Academician Fang Yu of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Li Baoxin, Party Secretary of the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering; Liu Chenghui, Dean of the College; Ding Liping, Associate Dean; Zeng Jinghui, Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering; Liu Zhike, Associate Dean; as well as members of the Key Laboratory and some young faculty members from the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, the School of Materials Science and Engineering, and the School of Geography and Tourism.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Professor Yang Peng, Director of the Key Laboratory. In his welcome address, he announced that the Young Scholars Symposium would be held regularly every June, becoming an institutionalized arrangement that effectively complements the annual "Duxue Forum" held at the college at the end of each year. He stated that the symposium aims to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and facilitate the rapid growth of young scholars. On behalf of the Key Laboratory, he also extended special congratulations to Professor Zhao Kui’s team for publishing their first paper in Nature, noting that this breakthrough adds significant academic distinction to the laboratory and demonstrates the vitality of cross-disciplinary innovation.

Following the opening ceremony, the symposium moved into the academic presentation session, moderated in turn by four professors: Liu Shengzhong, Li Xingwei, Zhao Kui, and Ding Liping. Twelve young scholars—Zhao Kui, Peng Haonan, Ma Jiani, Liu Yucheng, Wang Changhao, Niu Tianqi, Zhu Xiaolin, Ning Xingming, Liu Yongchun, Luo Yujia, Ren Hao, and Wang Fen—delivered presentations on their respective research areas. Attending experts offered targeted comments and practical guidance for each talk.

The closing ceremony was chaired by Dean Liu Chenghui. He summarized that the presentations by the twelve young scholars demonstrated strong academic vitality, and the suggestions put forward by experts including Academician Fang Yu were highly enlightening for the research growth of young faculty members. He encouraged everyone to carefully reflect on these suggestions, refine their research directions, strengthen cross-college integration, and jointly promote the development of the Key Laboratory.

Finally, Academician Fang Yu delivered concluding remarks. He fully affirmed the institutionalization of the Young Scholars Symposium and offered sincere advice to the young scholars: first, they should lay a solid foundation in basic research and avoid seeking quick success; second, they should remain grounded, maintain independent judgment and academic perseverance, and bravely adhere to their own research directions—persistence will eventually lead to achievements. He particularly emphasized that persistence and effort are key to academic growth, while the distinctiveness and refinement of research directions are equally crucial. Academician Fang Yu expressed his hope that, with the joint efforts of all, the Key Laboratory will continue to reach new heights and achieve even more fruitful results.

Text by: Wang Xingru

First review: Yan Junlin

Second review: Yang Peng

Third review: Liu Chenghui