On April 28, the School of Materials Science and Engineering convened an expert review meeting for its “15th Five-Year Plan.” The expert panel included seven distinguished members: Zhang Lianmeng, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Strategic Scientist at Wuhan University of Technology, and Chief Professor of Materials Science; Wu Mingbo, Vice President of Qingdao University of Science and Technology and Leading Talent of the National Ten Thousand Talent Program; Chen Ruirun, Deputy Director of the Institute of Science and Industrial Technology at Harbin Institute of Technology, Director of Basic Science, and National Distinguished Young Scholar; Zhang Naiqiang, Dean of the Graduate School at North China Electric Power University and Leading Talent of the National Ten Thousand Talent Program; Fang Fang, Changjiang Distinguished Professor at Fudan University; Zhang Runxi, Technical Expert at China Communications Construction Tianjin Waterway Bureau Co., Ltd.; and Dong Caichang, Deputy Director of Qingdao Marine Corrosion Research Institute, Steel Research Institute. Li Yan, Assistant to the President and Director of the Office of Science and Technology, attended the meeting.
During the meeting, Li Yan expressed gratitude to the experts for their long-term support of the university and the School of Materials Science and Engineering. He highlighted that the materials discipline is a key pillar for the university in advancing the national strategy for new materials and enhancing productivity with new technologies. Over the “14th Five-Year Plan” period, the school seized opportunities and made remarkable progress in talent cultivation, organized research, social service, and platform development.
Looking ahead to the “15th Five-Year Plan,” Li emphasized that materials science will be a focus for the university’s engineering breakthroughs and interdisciplinary innovation. He encouraged the school to use the expert review as an opportunity to aim for world-class standards, align with national priorities, enhance quality and efficiency, and ensure practical implementation. Li noted that the plan should be ambitious, strategically positioned, clearly directed, and actionable, contributing to the university’s “Double First-Class” initiative as well as the development of the national new materials industry and maritime-strength goals.
Dean Cui Hongzhi presented the compilation of the “15th Five-Year Plan.” The experts unanimously recognized that the plan’s objectives are clear and its tasks focused, providing valuable guidance for high-quality development and disciplinary upgrading. They offered several key recommendations:
Optimize the discipline layout with AI-driven approaches, strengthen the school’s marine materials focus, explore new AI + marine materials teaching and research models, and accelerate the achievement of landmark results.
Further strengthen talent development by systematically building a core faculty, increasing the recruitment of high-level talent, establishing a full-cycle training system for young faculty, and cultivating a world-class teaching and research team.
Enhance open education initiatives by leveraging expert advisory resources, expanding international and domestic collaborations, promoting high-quality internal development, and increasing the school’s academic strength and influence both nationally and internationally.
The meeting was chaired by Du Junhua, Party Secretary of the School of Materials Science and Engineering. Attendees included officials from the Human Resources Office, Development Planning Office, Graduate School, the school leadership team, department heads, academic committee chairs, faculty representatives, and young teachers.
Text: Li Wei | Photos: Guo Jiyu
Editor: Zhang Jingjing | Responsible Editor: Zhao Xiyun
