The Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT) held a conference on the integrated development of science and technology education and talent cultivation across secondary and higher education in Chengdu city, Sichuan province from March 20 to 21.
More than 300 principals and teachers from nearly 150 key high schools across Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan, Guizhou, Yunnan, Xizang, Shaanxi, Qinghai, and Ningxia, along with over 1,000 teacher representatives from Pidu district in Chengdu, jointly discussed engineering education and the cultivation of top innovative talent with experts and scholars from universities and enterprises.
HIT President Han Jiecai delivered a keynote report and took part in activities such as "Face-to-Face with an Academician". During the conference, he also led visits to several key high schools in Chengdu, where he held in-depth discussions with teachers and students.
The conference was hosted by HIT and organized by the HIT Chongqing Research Institute and the Pidu district education bureau. It featured keynote reports, roundtable forums, and special activity showcases, aiming to provide a platform for in-depth exchange on the coordinated development of basic and higher education.
The conference session. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Han delivered a keynote address titled "HIT Embracing the Future". In his speech, he presented an overview of HIT's mission to serve national strategies, its century-long academic legacy, and its achievements in the new era.
Looking ahead to the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30), he said HIT will continue to leverage its strengths in various disciplines, faculty and research, develop partnerships with high schools and local education authorities, and explore and refine an integrated talent development system. HIT will work together with partners to co-develop curricula, share high-quality resources, and build innovation platforms.
At the "Face-to-Face with an Academician" session, Han encouraged students to respond to the needs of the country, strive for excellence, and grow into capable contributors to national rejuvenation.
Han Jiecai delivers the keynote speech. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
The "Face-to-Face with an Academician" session. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
During visits to key high schools, Han met with school leaders as well as senior students and teachers, learning more about each school's respective strengths and achievements in talent development. On behalf of HIT, he thanked the schools for their longstanding support and for sending outstanding students to HIT. He also introduced national plans for advancing education, science, and talent development, along with the university's history, academic strengths, and training programs. Drawing on his own academic and research experience, he answered students' questions and offered them guidance.
Han Jiecai visits Chengdu Experimental Foreign Languages School. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Han Jiecai visits Chengdu Shishi High School. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Han Jiecai visits Chengdu Shude High School. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Han Jiecai visits Chengdu Foreign Languages School. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Han Jiecai visits No 1 High School of Pidu, Chengdu. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Experts from the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Committee at the China Society of Educational Development Strategy, the Chengdu Education and Science cademy, and relevant schools and departments of HIT, along with representatives from technology enterprises, delivered presentations on topics such as advancing science education, education reform in the age of artificial intelligence, aerospace development, and intelligent robots.
The conference presentations. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
At the roundtable forum titled "Bridging Boundaries to Build Dreams – Integrated Science and Innovation Education Across School Levels", participants engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as curriculum integration in science and innovation education.
During the conference, a series of special events were also held, including HIT's first Southwest Regional Budding Builders Festival, an open class by a world champion in badminton, and aerospace science lectures.
The roundtable forum. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
The Budding Builders Festival session. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
An open class by a world champion in badminton. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
An aerospace science lecture. [Photo/hit.edu.cn]
Editors: Liu Peixiang, Yang Wenyu
Reviewed by: Song Ling, Li Shoubin