On January 11, the Materials Science and Engineering (MSE) community of Peking University (including the Beijing-based School of Materials Science and Engineering, the School of Advanced Materials at Shenzhen Graduate School, and the Zhengzhou Advanced Materials Research Institute) held its 2026 Winter Strategy Meeting at the Materials Science Building on PKU's New Yanyuan Campus.
The meeting brought together distinguished guests and faculty to chart the course for future development. Keynote attendees included Zhang Jin, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Standing Committee Member of the PKU Council, and Executive Vice President of PKU; Wang Zhonglin, Foreign Academician of the CAS and Director of the Beijing Institute of Nanoenergy and Nanosystems; Dai Shenglong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Deputy Director of the Science and Technology Committee at Aero Engine Corporation of China; and Ma Ding, CAS Academician and Professor at PKU College of Chemistry and Molecular Engineering.
Industry leaders such as Zhang Ning (Chairman, Red Avenue New Materials Group), Hua Weiqi (Executive VP, Wanhua Chemical Group), Xiang Jinming (Vice Chairman), Yang Haocheng (President, Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology), Huang Youyuan (General Manager, BTR New Material Group), and Wang Shuhua (Chairman, Jinan Iron and Steel Group) also participated, alongside faculty from the three MSE entities. The meeting was co-chaired by Party Committee Secretary Li Ming and Dean Zou Ruqiang.
In his opening remarks, Executive VP Zhang Jin commended the school's achievements over its five-year history. He urged the faculty to foster a research culture focused on "solving real problems effectively." He emphasized the need for a dual approach: encouraging high-level, curiosity-driven exploration alongside well-organized, mission-oriented research. Seizing the opportunities presented by AI development to reshape research paradigms and deepen interdisciplinary integration was highlighted as a key priority. "We must enhance our historical sense of purpose, align our efforts with the nation's developmental rhythm, and establish our school as a pacesetter in PKU's 'New Engineering' discipline construction," Zhang stated.
Dean Zou Ruqiang then presented the 2025 Work Report, summarizing progress in discipline development, talent cultivation, research innovation, and faculty building. He outlined the strategic deployment for the next phase, urging all faculty to unite around national strategies. "Guided by the upcoming '15th Five-Year Plan,' we must focus on overcoming critical technological bottlenecks in advanced materials to serve high-quality socio-economic development," he said.
A dedicated seminar followed on the "15th Five-Year Plan" strategy. Vice Dean Zhou Huanping and Xiao Yingguo, Vice Dean of the School of Advanced Materials at PKUSZ, presented the planning proposals for their respective schools. Experts including Dai Shenglong, Ma Ding, and Bai Shuxin provided feedback on talent cultivation, large-team development, and evaluation systems, sparking in-depth discussions among attendees.
The afternoon session featured annual progress reports from the school's research institutes, covering advancements in advanced carbon materials, optoelectronic materials, new energy materials, life and health materials, and new structural materials. Faculty members engaged in lively exchanges on topics like "New Engineering" disciplinary characteristics, curriculum development, and international journal initiatives.
In a move to strengthen alumni connections, the inaugural meeting of the PKU Alumni Association MSE Branch was held. The meeting approved its charter, elected the first Council and Supervisory Board, and appointed "Career Development Alumni Mentors."
The event also celebrated outstanding contributions with the 2025 Best Industry-Academia/Regional Cooperation Partner Awards and faculty/team recognitions. A special segment titled "True Materials and Twenty Years of Excellence" featured reflections from Academician Wang Zhonglin, the inaugural head of the PKU Materials Department; retired faculty; and current representatives, sharing their journeys with the materials community and their dedication to serving the nation through science and technology. Academician Wang Zhonglin was formally appointed as a Visiting Chair Professor at PKU, and General Manager Huang Youyuan was appointed as a Visiting Professor at PKUSZ. The ceremony also included the third pairing of junior faculty with senior mentors in a "Passing on the Torch" initiative.
Nearly 300 faculty members and students from the MSE schools in Beijing, Shenzhen, and Zhengzhou participated in the day's events.
