The ShanghaiTech’s first faculty conference in 2025 was held in the University Auditorium on January 21. The conference featured four key sessions: the inaugural chair professor appointment ceremony, the tenured professor appointment ceremony, the award ceremony for outstanding residential college mentors for the 2023–2024 academic year, and the introduction of newly joined faculty members. The event was attended by university leadership, professors from schools and institutes, and leaders from administrative offices.
For the first time since its establishment, ShanghaiTech introduced the prestigious chair professor position, recognizing five professors for their exceptional contributions to teaching and research. Executive Vice President and Provost Yin Jie highlighted the career achievements of the five chair professors, affirming their substantial contributions to the university’s development. They shared their personal reflections, recounting their academic journeys and expressing aspirations for the future. Party Secretary Li Ruxin and Yin Jie presented the professors with appointment certificates in a ceremony marking this important milestone.
Appointment ceremony for five chair professors.
The second session celebrated the appointment of 11 faculty members to tenured positions, including six to tenured associate professors and five to tenured full professors. Leaders of the respective schools and institutes introduced these professors’ experiences and accomplishments. Each professor delivered remarks sharing insights into their academic experiences. Li Ruxin and Yin Jie awarded certificates to the them.
Appointment ceremony for 11 tenured professors.
The following session included brief self-introductions by five newly joined professors. As of now, ShanghaiTech has over 1,500 staff members with more than 1,300 full-time employees. The university’s faculty continues to grow, enhancing its capacity for education and research while building a solid foundation for future development.
In his concluding remarks, Li Ruxin emphasized the pivotal historical moment China is facing as it accelerates toward becoming a leading country in education, science, and technology. He underscored ShanghaiTech’s critical role in supporting national strategies and contributing to Shanghai’s economic and social development. Li urged the university to align with national priorities, address challenges, and foster innovation in both research and teaching. He highlighted the importance of translating scientific achievements into new quality productive forces, asking the university community to reflect on the key question, “What role will ShanghaiTech play in the future?”
Party Secretary Li Ruxin delivered the concluding remarks
“Technological innovation relies on talent, and talent cultivation depends on education. We must ensure the effective integration of scientific research and education, as well as collaboration between schools and residential colleges in fostering talent. High-quality development of large-scale scientific facilities is essential to their role in building the Zhangjiang Comprehensive National Science Center,” Li stated. He concluded by calling for ShanghaiTech to accelerate scientific innovation, delivering both groundbreaking research and top-tier talents to support Shanghai’s three leading industries and emerging future industries.