Nanjing University’s Secretary Tan Tianniu Explores Research Opportunities in Science, Social Science, and Innovation

On October 14, the Party Secretary of the University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences Tan Tianniu visited the Department of Science and Technology, the Department of Social Sciences, the Office of Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Achievement Transformation, and the Domestic Cooperation Office, and held discussions with staff from relevant departments.

At the Science and Technology Division, Tan Tianniu pointed out that as a key department of Nanjing University serving the national strategic needs and solving “bottleneck” problems, the Science and Technology Division has a united team that can get things done and achieve success, which has promoted new progress in the school’s scientific and technological work and completed a lot of remarkable work. Tan Tianniu put forward six requirements for the next step of the Science and Technology Division: First, we must have a deep understanding of the important historical responsibility shouldered by the school, benchmark the central government’s requirements, national needs, social expectations, and school expectations, and strive to build a national strategic scientific and technological force; second, we must be clear about the existing shortcomings and gaps, and in response to the difficulties and bottlenecks in the school’s major platform construction, project application, reorganization of national key laboratories, team building, organized scientific research, external liaison, etc., we must step out of the office, go deep into the front line, take the initiative to plan, find our own position, enhance service awareness, provide first-class services, strengthen support for scientific researchers, and become a strong backing; third, we must continue to deepen the reform of scientific research systems and mechanisms, and coordinate the promotion of education We must reform the system and mechanism of scientific and technological talents in an integrated manner, emancipate our minds, take immediate action, sort out existing policies as soon as possible, and improve the system and mechanism of scientific research; fourth, we must vigorously promote organized scientific research, refine goals, focus on policies, stimulate the internal driving force of scientific research, give full play to the wisdom of the whole school, work together in scientific research, and collaboratively tackle key problems; fifth, we must pay close attention to the “Action forge ahead” scientific research projects, prevent work from remaining on paper, and effectively promote the implementation of various tasks; sixth, we must strengthen our own team building, accurately learn and understand the major trends in world scientific and technological development, national science and technology policies and strategies, and local science and technology plans, break information asymmetry, conduct extensive research, plan ahead, strengthen learning, be honest and self-disciplined, and further improve our professional level and work style.

Director of the Science and Technology Department Jiang Tian reported on the basic situation of the department, the implementation progress of the “Action Plan” scientific research project and the next stage of work plan, etc. The comrades at the meeting conducted in-depth exchanges on issues such as scientific research funding, talent introduction, school-local cooperation, achievement transformation, staffing, institutional optimization, welfare benefits, campus linkage, and communication channels, and put forward relevant work suggestions.

At the Social Science Department, Tan Tianniu pointed out that humanities and social sciences are the traditional advantages of Nanjing University and play an important role in promoting the construction of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation. He said that the Social Science Department has a capable team, supporting and serving the construction and development of the liberal arts of our university, and the work has achieved remarkable results. Tan Tianniu emphasized that we must not only consolidate the development foundation of philosophy and social sciences of our university, but also face new challenges, meet higher standards, and put forward higher requirements, and take multiple measures to continuously enhance the advantages of liberal arts. Tan Tianniu put forward six requirements for the next step of the school’s liberal arts work: First, we must always adhere to meeting the national strategic needs as the starting point and end point, cultivate outstanding socialist builders and successors, solve scientific problems, and serve national needs; second, we must continue to strengthen strategic planning and top-level design, face the national strategic needs, and plan the construction of scientific research platforms and scientific research teams; third, we must take the initiative, understand the national strategic needs, and strive for major projects; fourth, we must increase efforts to promote organized scientific research, and comprehensively consider the methods and content of liberal arts research; fifth, we must vigorously promote foreign exchanges and cooperation, especially international exchanges and cooperation, and make good use of international exchange platforms; sixth, we must persist in strengthening our own construction, continuously improve our work ability and professional level, and strengthen our service awareness and pragmatic style.

Chen Donghua, director of the Social Science Department, reported on the department’s functions, progress in humanities work, and future key tasks. The participants had in-depth exchanges on issues such as humanities and social sciences project management, achievement evaluation and statistics, scientific research platform construction, talent team building, and think tank work, and analyzed and discussed the shortcomings and difficulties.

At the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Office of Domestic Cooperation, Tan Tianniu said that it is very important to do a good job in innovation and entrepreneurship, achievement transformation, domestic cooperation and other work to accelerate the construction of the “first Nanjing University” and better serve the country. He emphasized that efforts should be made to solve the problems found in the work, further clarify the positioning and responsibilities of each listed institution and subordinate units, and clarify their contributions to the school; further establish and improve rules and regulations, strengthen management; further strengthen the transfer and transformation work, and enhance the service capabilities of the science and technology industry; and further improve the efficiency of resource use and contribution to the school. Tan Tianniu put forward six requirements for the next stage of work of the Office of Innovation and Entrepreneurship and the Office of Domestic Cooperation: First, there should be a sense of mission and take the responsibility of serving the major needs of the country; second, it is necessary to optimize the institutional setup, clarify the positioning of responsibilities, and improve the efficiency of the entire innovation and entrepreneurship system; third, it is necessary to further strengthen management and manage the off-campus platforms and listed units in place; fourth, it is necessary to strengthen the awareness of reform and innovation, be innovative, not afraid of trouble, have ideas and enthusiasm; fifth, it is necessary to benchmark the spirit of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee and the National Education Conference, further optimize and update the special plan of the “Strive Action” and implement it in place; sixth, it is necessary to earnestly perform job responsibilities, strictly demand oneself, self-examine and self-correct, and learn lessons.

Zhou Jianfeng, deputy director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Office, reported on the functions of the organization, the implementation of the projects related to the “Action forge ahead” plan, and the work plan for the next stage. The participants conducted in-depth discussions on topics such as innovation and entrepreneurship education and practice, transformation of scientific and technological achievements, university science and technology parks, industrial research institutes, off-campus platforms, concept verification centers, and the construction of international innovation and entrepreneurship colleges.

Before the meeting, Tan Tianniu visited the exhibition hall of the headquarters of Nanjing University’s National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Demonstration Base to gain a comprehensive understanding of the school’s achievements in building the government-industry-university-research platform, support for new R&D institutions of the “Nanjing University system”, teachers’ entrepreneurship and innovation achievements, and the work of serving national and social development and serving teachers, students and alumni’s innovation and entrepreneurship.

School leaders Chen Yunsong, Zheng Hairong, Jiao Ruihua, as well as heads of relevant departments such as the School Office, Human Resources Department, and Discipline Construction and Development Planning Department accompanied the investigation.