The groundbreaking ceremony for the Zhengzhou Advanced Research Institute for New Materials (PKU) was held on May 18 in Zhengzhou, marking a significant step in Peking University's commitment to advancing local economic and social development, and fostering the new quality productive forces in China.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Lou Yangsheng, Secretary of the Henan Provincial Committee of the CPC; Wang Kai, Governor of Henan Province; An Wei, Secretary of the Zhengzhou Municipal Committee of the CPC; Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University; Zhang Jin, Vice President of Peking University; and Jiang Guohua, Minister of the United Front Work Department of Peking University, among others.
The Ceremony
Zhang Jin, representing Peking University, expressed gratitude to Henan Province and Zhengzhou City for their longstanding support of the university's development. He highlighted that Henan has experienced rapid economic and social growth in recent years, with increasing vitality in technological innovation. Peking University has a solid foundation for cooperation with Henan Province in various fields such as technological innovation, cultural heritage, and talent exchange. Zhang emphasized that the university will further integrate its disciplinary and talent resources with the regional advantages and industrial foundation of Henan and Zhengzhou. Peking University aims to actively explore a development model that deeply integrates government, industry, academia, research, and application, building Zhengzhou Advanced Research Institute for New Materials into a leading national and world-class platform for new material technology innovation, providing more intellectual support for local high-quality economic development, and aiding the cultivation and development of new productive forces in China. He expressed hope that both the university and the local government would work together to make the institute a landmark project of their cooperation.
An Wei, in his speech, stated that in recent years, the provincial committee and government have thoroughly implemented the important speeches and instructions of President Xi Jinping during his inspection of Henan. They have placed innovation-driven development, the strategy of strengthening the province through science and education, and the talent strategy at the forefront of their ten major strategies, and have advanced the restructuring and optimization of the layout of scientific and educational resources. The province has achieved significant progress in its scientific and educational undertakings, with continuous innovation results. Zhengzhou City is resolutely implementing the decisions and deployments of the provincial committee and government, regarding the establishment of a top university research institute as a key approach to drive the city's innovative development. The establishment of the institute is expected to inject new momentum into the scientific and educational undertakings and innovative development of Henan and Zhengzhou. Zhengzhou will continue to deepen its strategic cooperation with Peking University and strive to develop the institute into an innovative, international, market-oriented, and service-oriented education and research institution, providing strong technological innovation support for high-quality economic and social development.
The Soil-breaking Ceremony
Other attendees included Sun Shougang, Executive Vice Governor of Henan Province; Chen Xing, Secretary-General of the Provincial Committee of the CPC; Song Zhenghui, Vice Governor of Henan Province; Wang Xinqiang, Vice Secretary-General of Peking University and Director of the President's Office; Yang Xuexiang, Director of the Domestic Cooperation Committee Office and Dean of the School of Continuing Education; Yao Weihao, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Development and Dean of the Institute of Industrial Technology Research; Zou Ruqiang, Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering (PKU); and Li Ming, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Materials Science and Engineering (PKU).
After the ceremony, Gong Qihuang, Zhang Jin, and Jiang Guohua visited the exhibition hall of the Zhengzhou Advanced Research Institute for New Materials (PKU) to learn more about the strategic layout, planning, and design of the institute.
Exhibition Hall Visit
Further Reading:
The Zhengzhou Advanced Research Institute for New Materials (PKU), jointly established by the Henan Provincial Government, Peking University, and the Zhengzhou Municipal Government, serves as a frontline base for Peking University’s cutting-edge research, applied technology development, innovative product creation, and emerging industry cultivation in Henan. The institute, led by the research team from the School of Materials Science and Engineering (PKU), focuses on research and application in the fields of new materials, new energy, health, and artificial intelligence.
