On May 14, Hu Gang, Member of the Standing Committee of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Vice-Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the CPPCC, and Chairman of the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the China Democratic League, led a research delegation from the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the China Democratic League to Nanjing University to conduct a thematic research on "vigorously advancing the 'Double First-Class' initiative and the development of interdisciplinary centres, and striving to establish the university as a key pillar of the nation's strategic scientific and technological capabilities." Tan Zhemin, President of NJU and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) met with Hu Gang on Xianlin Campus.
On behalf of NJU, Tan Zhemin expressed gratitude to the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the CPPCC and the Jiangsu Provincial Committee of the China Democratic League for their long-standing trust and support, noting that the university and the League share a long-standing and close relationship. Drawing on extensive data and practical examples, Tan Zhemin provided the research delegation with a systematic overview of Nanjing University's achievements in the "Double First-Class" initiative in recent years, highlighting the university's major progress in disciplinary development. He pointed out that NJU has prioritised the development of new engineering disciplines at its Suzhou campus, using this as a means to promote interdisciplinary practice, strengthen the development of interdisciplinary platforms, and adhere to a "problem-driven" approach. By breaking down barriers between faculties, the university has achieved innovation in the operational mechanisms of interdisciplinary studies and made breakthrough progress. He expressed his hope that Jiangsu Province would further step up its support for Nanjing University' s basic research and "Double First-Class" initiative in the next round of planning.
Hu Gang outlined the background to this research visit. He noted that NJU had been chosen as the first stop on this research tour in order to learn from and draw upon the university's experience, with a view to advancing Jiangsu Province's overall strategic planning in the fields of cutting-edge science and technology and interdisciplinary studies. He pointed out that General Secretary Xi Jinping attaches great importance to basic research and the development of key technologies. NJU's achievements in the "Double First-Class" initiative and its strengths in basic research will undoubtedly help Jiangsu live up to General Secretary Xi Jinping's earnest expectations and continue to lead the development of higher education and new-quality productive forces in the province.
During the visit, Hu Gang and his delegation also visited interdisciplinary platforms such as the Institute of Chemical and Biomedical Innovation to inspect NJU's interdisciplinary structure and the outcomes of its development efforts.
