During the two sessions in March, education, science and technology, as well as talent, have aroused heated discussion. How to cultivate top-tier innovative talents? How to give full play to the educational role of universities that meet people's expectations? What explorations will the university of science and engineering make in basic research and interdisciplinary integration? Recently, People's Daily, Nanfang Daily, Southern Metropolis Daily and Nanfang Finance interviewed Prof. Gong Xingao, a deputy to the 14th National People's Congress, Chancellor of Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) and Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and reported his views on scientific and technological innovation and talent cultivation.

People's Daily

To build a multi-tiered talent selection system

Chancellor Gong suggested that a multi-tiered talent selection and training system should be built. "By selection, training, evaluation, utilization, security, etc., we can explore and create a mechanism and environment conducive to the growth of talents, so as to provide fertile soil for the outstanding people."

Nanfang Daily

Talent cultivation is the key to basic research

Chancellor Gong expressed his expectation that more people will be aware of the importance of basic research. Universities should attach greater importance to talent training. In terms of the country, enterprises and industries, they should increase investment in basic research to accelerate the formation of a joint force to improve the basic research as well as consolidate the foundation of self-reliance in science and technology.

Southern Metropolis Daily 

Focus on basic research and create a new stage for academic exchanges

Chancellor Gong believes that the development of basic research takes time. Its core is to create knowledge and explore the world. Basic research requires high-quality talents, while talents are an important outcome of basic research. "Interdisciplinary integration is a key measure in basic research or applied technology research. It is also GTIIT's major action in our university development and scientific research. We realize that such integration is crucial for the cultivation of students and senior talents, as well as the development of basic research. We will carry on in this direction."

Southern Finance

Basic research cultivates innovative talents

Chancellor Gong said that not every basic research will reach the Nobel level, or push back the frontiers of knowledge. However, basic research can enhance students' comprehensive capability and thus raise them to innovative talents. He mentioned that interdisciplinary integration has been a key to GTIIT scientific research. "We've built interdisciplinary platforms and brought together research faculty teams to tackle projects and transform achievements."

Text/Photos: media, GTIIT News & Public Affairs