From May 22 to 24, the 2nd Forum on Building a Leading Country through Education and Higher Education Reform and Development, along with the 64th Higher Education Expo China (HEEC), was held in Nanchang. South China University of Technology (SCUT) actively participated in the series of events, hosting a thematic seminar titled Exploring Pathways for Comprehensive Higher Education Reform. The university also showcased its achievements and reform practices in talent cultivation, scientific and technological innovation, and industry-education integration, contributing to the high-quality development of higher education. The event featured one main forum and 19 thematic seminars, bringing together over 1,000 experts, faculty members, students, and industry representatives from across the country to explore pathways for higher education reform and development.

At the main forum, Yang Zhongmin delivered a keynote presentation. He noted that by seizing the development opportunities presented by the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and adhering to the development logic of “questions raised by industry, answers generated through innovation, creation, and entrepreneurship,” SCUT has reshaped its talent cultivation paradigm. Through initiatives such as restructuring its interdisciplinary ecosystem, deepening industry-education integration, establishing the National Graduate College for Elite Engineers, and building collaborative platforms that connect the university, local governments, and alumni, SCUT is driving a transformation in talent cultivation that supports industrial development. Looking ahead, SCUT will continue to advance its “Four Cross” talent cultivation model and strengthen the talent foundation for achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology.

Vice President Li Zheng also attended a thematic seminar and delivered a keynote presentation. Together with experts from other universities and enterprise representatives, he shared experiences and achievements on topics including comprehensive higher education reform, top-tier talent cultivation, educational evaluation reform, and industry-education integration.

During the HEEC, SCUT set up two exhibition zones, showcasing 12 core technological innovations in fields such as mechanical equipment, new materials, and biomedicine, tailored to the industrial development needs of Jiangxi Province. The University also established an exhibition area on standardized laboratory development in higher education institutions, demonstrating and promoting intelligent and modular laboratory construction, as well as domestic alternatives to imported instruments. In addition, the Admissions Office hosted a livestream session to introduce SCUT’s 2026 undergraduate enrollment policies and its distinctive approach to talent cultivation.

During his stay in Jiangxi, Yang also met with alumni representatives and visited enterprises founded by them, where he gained insight into their technological R&D efforts and development plans. He emphasized that SCUT will continue to improve its alumni service system, deepen university-enterprise and university-local collaboration, and mobilize alumni strengths to support high-quality development.