GIFT Successfully Holds 4th Anniversary Strategic Development Retreat

On August 19, 2025, to serve the national strategy of innovation-driven development, accelerate the building of a world-class university with top-tier capacities in technological innovation, and advance the development of the Global Institute of Future Technology, the 4th Anniversary Strategic Development Retreat was held in Lecture Hall 200. The event reviewed the institute's progress since its establishment, summarized experience, and charted a new blueprint for the future.

Nearly 30 distinguished guests, including renowned scholars, university leaders, industry executives and outstanding alumni, gathered to discuss the institute's vision. Attendees included Zhenbin Yang (Secretary of the CPC SJTU Committee), Lifeng Xi (Executive Vice President), Xianqun Fan (Vice President and Dean of the School of Medicine), Zhaoguo Zhang (Vice President), Xuemin Xu (Deputy Director of the University Council), Minghe Cheng (SJTU Trustee and Co-Founder of Mindray), Ping Hua (Managing Partner & COO, SoftBank China Capital), Ye Tang (Co-Founder and Chairman, BOCHU Electronics), Ming Yang (Assistant to the President & Director of the General Office), Xiaoyuan Zhang (Deputy Director, Special Zone College Coordination Office), Yang Yu (Deputy Director, Development Liaison Office), and Jun Ni (Dean of the Global Institute of Future Technology). The retreat was chaired by Tianshu Ge, Secretary of CPC GIFT Committee.

The event began with a retrospective video highlighting GIFT's achievements since its establishment in 2021 in areas of talent cultivation, scientific research and social services.

In his welcome remarks, Executive Vice President Lifeng Xi commended the institute for its breakthroughs over the past four years. He emphasized that, as one of the first 12 future technology institutes established by the Ministry of Education, GIFT has developed a cultivation approach featured by interdisciplinary integration, academia-industry collaboration, and synergy between science and education, becoming a vital force in SJTU's service to national strategies.

GIFT leadership reports on progress and achievements. Dean Jun Ni gave an overview of the educational philosophy, faculty introducing & training, and research platforms. Associate Dean Jingchuan Wang shared reflections and explorations in talent cultivation initiatives. Associate Dean Weiliang Xia detailed the reform outcomes of the pioneering “MD + PhD” dual doctoral degree program. Executive Dean Sun Jin reported on infrastructure development, scientific research progress, and achievements in “industry-academia-research” integration.

During the research center showcase, representatives from 9 research centers – Innovation Center for Intelligent Connected Electric Vehicles, Future Battery Research Center, Future Photovoltaics Research Center, Future Organic Optoelectronics Research Center, Future Display Research Center, Brain Cognition & Health Research Center, Center of Aging & Cancer Research, Center for Brain Health & Brain technologies, and Center for Future Health & Intelligent Exercise– presented their latest scientific results. These innovation efforts, grounded in industrial needs, demonstrated GIFT faculty's pioneering spirit and commitment to progressing with the times.

Dean Jun Ni moderated the strategic discussion session. Participants engaged in in-depth exchanges in innovating in talent cultivation, faculty development, resource sharing, and university–enterprise cooperation. They offered insightful perspectives and constructive suggestions for the institute's future growth. Ni affirmed that the feedback would be carefully studied to improve research and education mechanisms, advancing the institute with higher standards and concrete measures.

In his closing address, Party Secretary Zhenbin Yang stressed that GIFT should align closely with major national strategic needs, and carry forth greater responsibility in invigorating cutting-edge scientific and technological developments and the cultivation of future talents, fostering complementary strengths across disciplines and deepening integration of industry, academia, and research. GIFT is set to become an internationally influential hub for technological innovation and a training ground for top-tier, pioneering leaders.

The retreat marked not only a review, but also the starting point of a new journey. Through four years of exploration and practice, GIFT has maintained a healthy innovation ecosystem which integrates education, science & technology, and talent cultivation. Looking ahead, GIFT will continue to take national strategic needs as its mission, endeavoring to nurture future strategic leaders and achieve breakthroughs in key core technologies.