2010 Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences was Held

July 14, 2010

On July 12, 2010 Conference on Humanities and Social Sciences was held on Zijingang Campus. The conference reviewed the late development and achievements of arts, humanities and social sciences at Zhejiang University, and proposed to respect the basic laws of the disciplines and to accelerate the training of faculty so as to motivate talented people. Chancellor Zhang Xi, President Yang Wei, Vice Chancellors and Vice Presidents attended the conference.

President Yang Wei said that humanities and social sciences have long been the basic disciplines with which universities can inherit civilization, transmit culture and provoke thoughts. In a comprehensive university, humanities and social sciences play an important role in cultural construction of campus and development of the university. After a decade of growth, humanities and social sciences are at a critical stage of transition at Zhejiang University.

President Yang Wei emphasized tolerance between different disciplines which is the key to success and the goal of building world-class university. Tolerance means respect to the different features, characteristics, values and laws of different disciplines, and aims to achieve harmonious relationship between disciplines with mutual appreciation and exchange. It s necessary to adopt supportive policies and assessment criteria for disciplines of humanities and social sciences with clear objectives as well as flexibility. The university is exploring different ways to give special support to teachers conducting individual research to motivate high-level innovation.

Chancellor Zhang Xi reviewed the development of humanities and social sciences, and commented that the external environment and system at Zhejiang University are favorable for development of humanities and social sciences. Humanities and social sciences should be concerned with national and regional strategic needs as well as international academic trends. In addition, Chancellor Zhang stressed the role and mission of faculty in construction of the disciplines.

On the conference, university leaders presented awards to teachers and researchers bestowed with Outstanding Achievement Award of Ministry of Education.