Third Doctoral Student Forum Held by USTC-CityU Joint Advanced Research Center (Suzhou)

The Third Doctoral Student Forum of the USTC-City University of Hong Kong (CityU) Joint Advanced Research Center (Suzhou) was held at the Suzhou Institute of USTC on the morning of April 14.

Both USTC President Hou Jianguo and CityU President Way Kuo attended and spoke at the opening session of the forum to show their strong support for the meeting.

In his speech, Prof. Hou expressed his congratulations on the successes the past forums had achieved, and the opening of the present one. He also extended his appreciation to the faculty and students for their adequate preparations for this forum, as well as his full recognition of the achievements made by the joint postgraduate programs run by USTC and CityU. He pointed out that the academic forum highlights the joint doctoral programs, fosters creative inspirations and innovations from the students of both universities, and promotes academic exchanges. In addition, he expressed his hope that the first group of doctoral students graduating this year will successfully complete their studies in the joint programs, bring their theoretical knowledge and research capabilities into full play and contribute to the social development of the nation. Finally, Prof. Hou acknowledged his warm congratulations on the 25^th anniversary of CityU.

In his message, CityU President Way Kuo spoke highly of the joint doctoral academic forum as a way to strengthen communications and exchanges between the two universities. He urged the students to grasp this opportunity so as to broaden their academic horizons, enhance their research skills, and embark on a successful road of growth with the help of the hardware platform and research environment provided by the Suzhou Institute.

The ceremony to award the He Jianan Grants for Academic Conferences also took place at the same time.

Eight CAS/CAE academicians from USTC, who were on an inspection tour at the Suzhou Institute, were present at the forum as special guests. Also present were Prof. Roderick Wong Sue-cheun, CityU vice president, Ye Feng, director of the management office of the Dushu Lake Higher Education Zone of Suzhou City, heads of the USTC graduate school, CityU graduate school, Suzhou Institute, and their joint programs, a number of PhD supervisors, as well as over 200 doctoral students.

During the three-day forum, students from the USTC-CityU joint programs as well as those from USTC and CityU separately read their papers at the meetings. Several invited scholars and experts from prestigious universities of North America, Europe and the Asian-Pacific region also delivered interesting lectures and reports at the forum.

Since 2007, the USTC-CityU joint doctoral student forum has been held once each year. As fully exhibited by its third meeting, the forum has become a platform for doctoral students from both universities to widen their vision, engage in academic exchanges and enhance their friendship.