“May Xi’an Jiaotong University and Chongqing Jiaotong University walk hand in hand make achievements on a new track of technological research and development”! On the afternoon of July 19, Wang Shuguo, President of Xi’an Jiaotong University paid a visit to Chongqing Jiaotong University. He learned more about the founding history of Chongqing Jiaotong University and its assistance in the innovative development of major national and local projects. He gave a special lecture titledReform and Development of Higher Education in the Context of the Fourth Industrial Revolutionfor teachers and students of Chongqing Jiaotong University. He had cordial exchanges with teachers and students and cheer them up. He looks forward to the integration of the two fraternal universities and walking hand in hand, injecting vitality of two “Jiaotong” universities for the national and local economic and social development.Gong Hui, the Chairman of Chongqing Jiaotong University Board, and Lai Yuanming, the President and academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, accompanied the research and also attended the seminar.

In the School History Gallery at Nanan Campus, President Wang Shuguo read over graphic and historical materials of great historical significance such as campus distribution data of Chongqing Jiaotong University, group photo between teachers and students taken on the University’s first opening ceremony in 1951, guidance by Rang Mingde, the Former President of the university, in road construction, and the inaugural issue of the Applied Mathematics and Mechanics. He had an in-depth understanding on Chongqing Jiaotong University’s arduous development course in teaching, specialty setting, national platform, innovation and entrepreneurship, campus culture, cooperation and exchange and other aspects as well as achievements made in recent years. He had sincere admiration for road-building spirit of generations of forefathers of Chongqing Jiaotong University who worked hard and strived indomitably.

“President Wang Shuguo is a scientist, an educator and a thinker and practitioner loved and respected by people from all walks of life at home and abroad and walking in the forefront of The Times”! At the symposium, Gong Hui, Chairman of Chongqing Jiaotong University Board extended a warm welcome to President Wang Shuguo on behalf of all faculties, students and staffs of the University.

“As the first institution of higher learning established at home and abroad, Xi'an Jiaotong University is a key university under the Ministry of Education”; since the westward migration, graduates of Xi’an Jiaotong University take root in the west and serve the country generation after generation, making outstanding contributions to the development of the western China and national building.Chongqing Jiaotong University was involved in constructing the Chengdu-Lhasa Road and building the Great Southwest Region, practicing the spirit of “Two Roads” (indicating Sichuan - Tibet Road and Xinjiang - Tibet Road). Inspired by such spirit, graduates of Chongqing Jiaotong University and Xi’an Jiaotong University take root in the west, overcome difficulties and work hard. Gong Hui pointed out that the spirit of westward migration and spirit of “Two Roads” are rated as the first batch of great spirits of CPC’s spiritual pedigree, injecting ceaseless spiritual motivation for Xi’an Jiaotong University and Chongqing Jiaotong University to forge ahead.We hope that Xi’an Jiaotong University pays sustained attention to Chongqing Jiaotong University, assists it in building and development, and makes joint efforts with Chongqing Jiaotong University to inject vitality for the national and local scientific and technological innovation and development.

Founded in 1951, Chongqing Jiaotong University was established by Southwest Military and Political Committee chaired by Comrade Deng Xiaoping for constructing the Sichuan-Tibet Road and building the Great Southwest Region. During the 72-year development process, it practiced and inherited the spirit of “Two Roads” highly praised by Xi Jinping, the General Secretary of CPC Committee, gestating the school motto of “Demonstrate good moral cultivation and contribute to the development of the transportation industry” school-running tradition of “being willing to be a road stone and making endless progress”. President Lai Yuanming extended his sincere welcome to President Wang Shuguo for his visit on behalf of teachers and students of the university. He introduced a series of achievements made by Chongqing Jiaotong University in disciplines, scientific research, education and teaching, talent and team education, and service to society in recent years, and elaborated on common quality of excellent Jiaotong people formed in the process of practicing the spirt of westward migration and spirit of “Two Highways” by Xi’an Jiaotong University and Chongqing Jiaotong University. He hoped that all Jiaotong people learn the spirit of westward migration and carry forward the spirit of “Two Highways”, to inject ceaseless “Jiaotong” vitality into key national strategic projects.

With thunderous applause, President Wang Shuguo of Xi’an Jiaotong University gave a special lecture titled “Reform and Development of Higher Education in the Context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution” for teacher and student representatives of Chongqing Jiaotong University with broad vision, far-reaching ideas and passions.

Forge ahead with devotion to the cause of education

I was only 43 years old when I was newly appointed as president of this university. However, stimulated by the passion for education, I was engaged in robot research with mentality that newborn calves are not afraid of tigers in the company of leaders, teachers and classmates with solid knowledge and solid foundation.It is the enthusiasm and pioneering spirit of students of Xi’an Jiaotong University for innovation in science and technology that enables the school to made great progress in the field of robotics.

“In an era with increasingly fierce game between great powers, we can only brave the tide and forge ahead to get rid of the opponent’s containment”, Wang Shuguo said, If a university can’t seize the opportunity, it can’t ride the wave, it can’t break the tether, and it can’t stand in the world in the fields of education, science and technology and talents. In the key link of historical development, only by working together can we build an education power by 2035.

Being resolute in face of challenges

Vivid examples cited by President Wang Shuguo let us have an in-depth understanding on the profound connotation indicated by the expectation that “We will basically realize socialist modernization by 2035, and China will be built into a strong, prosperous, democratic, civilized, harmonious and beautiful socialist modernization power in the middle of this century.” He carefully interpreted the correlation between science and technology power, education power and talent power.

Education, science and technology and talent are the basic and strategic support for building a modern socialist country in all respects. We shall learn to take advantage of new technologies, size new opportunities and blaze new trails. In an era with increasingly fierce game between great powers, only those with core technologies can get out of trouble. Therefore, it is particularly critical to carve out our way and seize the initiative in the game. We should embrace challenges, rise to the challenges, be willing to create challenges, and strength ourselves in the face of challenges, which are important ways to break blockades and gridlock.History has entrusted us with great responsibility. We shall remain adamant and fulfil heavy duties on our shoulders in this critical period. Only in this way, can we fulfill the historical mission bestowed by the cause of national education.

Focus on key points

In light of the recent profound changes in the international situation and some difficult problems faced by China in its development, President Wang Shuguo cited vivid examples such as the rapid rising of Olin College of Engineering. Referring to “Science and technology is the primary productive force, talents are the first resource, and innovation is the first driving force” indicated in the Report to the 20th CPC National Congress, he suggested that to enhance the core competitiveness of colleges and universities, we should actively explore new tracks in strengthening independent scientific and technological innovation and cooperation between colleges and universities, and strive to become an “adventurer” in front of a new round of technological innovation in the fourth industrial revolution.

This requires us to fully recognize and deeply understand momentous changes of a scale unseen in a century, understand profound changes in international landscape and system, and strengthen talent advantages, technological advantages, and transformation advantages by focusing on professional fields including synthetic biology, gene editing, intelligent manufacturing and advanced equipment manufacturing, to stimulate the vitality unique to colleges and universities and inject vigor to innovation of higher education in China.

Integrate into society with an open mind and stick to the original intention

President Wang Shuguo said, the society’s perception of science is ahead of higher learning institutions. We should integrate into society with an open mind, have an in-depth understanding of new technological changes and reconstruct a new knowledge system. Iteration and combination of theory and practice complement and reinforce each other. Teaching staff in colleges and universities should integrate into the society and the forefront of science and technology with an open mind, and give feed back on structure of theoretical knowledge.

In the course of integration into the society and knowledge reconstruction, we should stay true to our original aspiration, seek common development, and adapt to the new needs of the times amid legitimate innovation and competition without infringing upon the interests of others.

In addition, President Wang Shuguo elaborated on four facing (facing the forefront of world science and technology, facing main economic battlefield, facing major national needs and facing people’s life and health), industrial restructuring and interdisciplinary integration. He hoped that the people of Jiaotong University shake off from the original scope and face the world and future, to make due contributions to the comprehensive reform and development of the country.

“As an oil worker, I once worked at the grass-roots level in the countryside. No matter what kind of work I am engaged in, I stick to my post and update my professional knowledge, and strive to do my best！Each of you, either a teacher or a student, has the capacity to do better. You can excel in every field!” In the interaction process, teachers and students consulted President Wang Shuguo on problems such as project-based traction mode, cross-disciplines, scientific research team, institutional setup, ability to solve complex problems and personal work, study and life.President Wang Shuguo gave great encouragement to teachers and students of Chongqing Jiaotong University on professional learning and work. He expected that teachers and students of Chongqing Jiaotong University integrate into the development process of the times and the forefront of scientific and technological innovation with greater courage, resolution creativity and initiative, to better adapt to the needs of practice and development in the new era.May Chongqing Jiaotong University and Xi’an Jiaotong University walk side by side and make joint efforts in supporting important national projects and breaking new ground in scientific and technological research and development.

President Lai Yuanming gave gifts carefully prepared by students before the meeting to President Wang Shuguo who signed on the gifts.Gong Hui, Chairman of Chongqing Jiaotong University Board, sincerely hope that the Xi’an Jiaotong University and Chongqing Jiaotong University will further deepen exchanges and friendship, and strive together for establishing satisfactory high education institutions for the people!

The exchange was also attended by Bai Kai, member of Chongqing Jiaotong University Board and Head of the Publicity Department, Ren Haitao, member of Chongqing Jiaotong University Board and Head of the Organization Department, Yang Jifu, Director of the Party Affairs Office, leading cadres at the level of chief and deputy director, representatives of teachers and students.