On the afternoon of December 20, 2025, the Symposium on Environmental Discipline Development for Deans/Directors in Guangdong Region was successfully held at the Lecture Hall of Renhouli Aesthetic Education Base, University Town Campus, South China University of Technology. Professor Yu Gang, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, Dean of the Advanced Interdisciplinary Institute of Environment and Ecology, Beijing Normal University, was specially invited to attend the meeting. More than 30 leaders, experts and scholars in the field of environmental discipline in Guangdong Region participated in the symposium, representing institutions including Sun Yat-sen University, Beijing Normal University, South China University of Technology, Jinan University, Guangdong University of Technology, South China Normal University, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou University, Southern University of Science and Technology, Wuyi University, Zhaoqing University, South China Botanical Garden of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Eco-Environmental and Soil Sciences of Guangdong Academy of Sciences, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

Conference Venue

The meeting was co-chaired by Professor Dang Zhi, Former Vice President of South China University of Technology and Founding Dean of the School of Environment and Energy, and Professor Yan Keyou, Current Dean of the School. Professor Zhu Nengwu, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the organizer, extending a warm welcome to all guests.

Chairing and Address Session

At the meeting, Professor Dang Zhi reviewed the original intention of the symposium, systematically summarized the phased achievements of environmental disciplines in Guangdong Region since 2025 in major scientific research projects, scientific and technological awards, talent training and other aspects. Meanwhile, based on the current situation, he in-depth analyzed several common and differentiated problems faced in the development of environmental discipline schools/institutes, setting the tone for the follow-up discussions.

The symposium established the "Outstanding Contribution Award" to honor experts and scholars who have made important contributions to the construction and development of environmental disciplines for a long time. Professor Chen Yongheng, Former Vice President of Guangzhou University and Director of the Institute of Environmental Science, and Researcher Wan Hongfu, Former Director of the Institute of Eco-Environmental and Soil Sciences of Guangdong Academy of Sciences, received this honor.

 Awarding Session

The "Outstanding Contribution Award" was kindly sponsored by Guangzhou Hualu Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd. Dr. Chen Zhenguo, representative of Guangzhou Hualu Environmental Protection Technology Co., Ltd., attended the meeting and shared the opportunities and challenges in the current development of the environmental protection industry, as well as his thoughts and insights on industry-university-research collaborative innovation from the perspective of industrial development.

Speech by Corporate Representative

In the keynote report session, Professor Zhu Nengwu, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, and Professor Liu Chengshuai, Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, delivered special reports respectively, systematically introducing the development history, disciplinary characteristics, organizational structure, representative achievements and future development plans of their respective schools. The two schools demonstrated the development paths of environmental disciplines under the background of typical engineering and agriculture respectively, showing distinctive disciplinary characteristics and providing important enlightenment for the construction and development of similar disciplines.

Keynote Report Session

In the free discussion session, experts and scholars conducted in-depth exchanges on the current development of environmental disciplines, and systematically analyzed the problems, deep-seated causes and solutions in current discipline construction and school/institute development based on the actual situation of each unit. Representatives conducted extensive and practical exchanges and put forward many targeted and enlightening suggestions in a warm atmosphere.

Free Discussion Session

At the end of the meeting, Academician Yu Gang delivered a concluding speech. He pointed out that deepening the reform of talent training programs is an important way to solve the difficulties in undergraduate enrollment, and all units should actively explore vertically integrated talent training models. It is necessary to adapt to local conditions, closely align with regional development needs and national strategic goals, maintain differentiated and characteristic development, enhance international vision, and take the initiative to play a leading role in discipline construction and industrial development.

Concluding Speech by Academician Yu Gang

The successful convening of this symposium has built a good platform for exchanges and cooperation among environmental discipline schools/institutes in Guangdong Region, and is of positive significance for promoting the high-quality development of regional environmental disciplines.

Group Photo

Pictures & Text: Fu Qixian, Ye Han

First Review: Le Xianghui

Second Review: Chen Li’e

Final Review: Yan Keyou, Zhu Nengwu