Shandong, the hometown of China’s ancient sage Confucius, which is located on the northeast coast of the country, has a rich educational culture. With its history of over a century, Shandong University is one of the best representatives of such a culture in China.
On October 15, Shandong University celebrates its 120th birthday. Science talks with its President, Liming Fan, about the school’s legacy and its focus on innovation.
Science: Shandong University is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year. Could you describe the historical legacy of the school, its spirit, and what kind of university it is today?
Fan: Shandong University was established in 1901. It is one of the original schools in China’s modern higher education system and the first university in China to run in accordance with a chartered constitution. Furthermore, its medical department can be traced back to one of the first modern private schools established in China (in 1864).
The school has gone through many mergers and splits, especially during wartime. Despite its numerous transitions, it has inherited the communal context of Shandong Province, and has always included a mixture of domestic and foreign scholars. In 2000, three universities—the former Shandong University, Shandong Medical University, and Shandong University of Technology—merged to form the school we see today, with campuses in Jinan, Weihai, and Qingdao.
Our school has a reputation for its literature and history studies as well as its fundamental research. We have nurtured pioneers in many fields, such as Dizhou Tong, the “father of Chinese cloning studies,” Xingbei Shu, “father of Chinese radar studies,” and Chengkui Zeng, “father of Chinese algae research.”
Shandong University has graduated over 600,000 students throughout the years. It now has 67,000 full-time students, with 4,500 teachers overseeing their growth. Many of our students have become distinguished scientists in important fields, such as Qikun Xue in condensed matter physics, Dawei Ma in organic chemistry, and Shige Peng in financial mathematics, all of whom are awardees of the Future Science Prize, one of China’s biggest awards in science, initiated by entrepreneurs and scientists in 2016. In addition to the aforementioned subjects, Shandong University is also well known for its research in crystal materials, microbiology, reproductive medicine, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular function repair, new drug manufacturing, machinery, underground engineering, and Chinese classical studies.
Today, the school is moving forward with an emphasis on cultural studies and is becoming one of the most prominent universities in the field of Chinese traditional culture. With a school motto of “Noble in Spirit; Endless in Knowledge,” Shandong University echoes the demands of the nation and of society—instilling the spirit of patriotism, responsibility, truth-seeking, and innovation already present in its genes.
Science: What are some of the leading subjects at Shandong University? What achievements have been made in these areas?
Fan: In recent years,Shandong University has seen a leap forward in its many subjects. In 2021, five of the university’s subjects—chemistry, engineering, material sciences, pharmacology and toxicology, and clinical medicine—were listed in the top 1‰ of subjects in the Essential Science Indicators (ESI), an index showing the competitiveness of a subject and published bimonthly by the Institute for Scientific Information.
In mathematics and data science, our financial mathematicians created a new theory of “backward stochastic differential equations”; our cryptologists have taken the lead in formulating the international cryptographic algorithm standard; and our systems engineers have achieved breakthroughs in technologies such as component preparation and optimized control, enabling the development of high performance photovoltaic power-generation systems.
In chemistry and materials science, our researchers made a breakthrough in high temperature alumina fiber material technology, and our organic silicon chemists developed key technologies that are widely used in aerospace and other fields.
In materials science and in processing and manufacturing, our scientists have developed high-quality large crystals, light aluminum alloys, and carbon fiber materials. The latter two are widely used in large engineering projects such as high-speed trains.
In Chinese traditional studies, the University leads a national key cultural project to collect and analyze ancient Chinese books from around the world. We have also successfully hosted a number of important conferences, such as the 22nd International Congress of Historical Sciences in 2015; this congress is often known as the “Olympics of History Studies.”
In clinical medicine and major diseases, our researchers have made significant breakthroughs in understanding early human embryo development and the heritability of infertility, while cardiologists have uncovered the molecular mechanism underlying cardiovascular remodeling, providing new solutions for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
To foster more interdisciplinary studies, the University has created several emerging interdisciplinary research institutions, such as the Frontier Interdisciplinary Research Institute, the Institute of Data Science, and the Institute for Advanced Medical Research, in order to boost subjects such as artificial intelligence, scientific and technological archaeology, integrated circuit design, and intelligent medical engineering.
Science: What is Shandong University’s philosophy of education?
Fan: It inherits the wisdom of Confucius, who was born in Shandong and believed in “teaching students in accordance with their aptitude.” It supports “equal education for everyone” and espouses that “teaching and studying promote one another.”
In practice, we have improved the diversity of talent selection and are recruiting those with potential as well as those who have already shown outstanding performance. Additionally, we customize curricula according to students’ specialties and interests, introducing the “3Ms”: major, minor, and micro subjects. We also look for comprehensive development in students, nurturing them through general education, professional education, innovation, and entrepreneurship education.
Science: What are some of Shandong University’s primary achievements since you took office in 2017?
Fan: In recent years, Shandong University has moved to a fast track, a new phase of development. We fully exceeded the goals and tasks of the first round of the national “double top-tier” university construction, and significantly improved our core competitiveness and international influence.
We are developing top-tier academics, promoting construction of “big platforms and big teams,” and striving to produce original, iconic, and leading academic achievements. The school is carrying out a plan for disciplinary integration and innovation by introducing five mechanisms in subject planning, innovation, management, cooperation, and policies, and an environment that supports interdisciplinary development.
We are dedicated to cultivating top-tier talents for the nation. We see the teaching of virtue as the core of education and center our endeavor around the growth of students. From 2016 to 2020, students from Shandong University won 151 awards in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions.
We are also dedicated to serving regional economic and social development. With the advantage of our campuses, we have built 106 campus–school–enterprise cooperation platforms, exemplified by the Shandong Institute of Industrial Technology in Jinan, constructed in cooperation with local governments. We are also planning to build a new Longshan Campus, an innovation harbor that will be an engine for promoting high-quality economic and social development.
Science: How is Shandong University pursuing its internationalization strategy?
Fan: Shandong University has established cooperation with nearly 200 universities and academic institutions in over 30 countries or regions. Aiming to nurture talent with international vision and competency, it has also attracted over 3,000 international students from more than 130 countries through its many programs, such as English-taught programs including a Master’s in China Studies and a combined Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS).
Researchers at the school actively participate in major international projects, such as AMS, ATLAS, STAR, BESIII, and LHAASO. Scientists at the University are playing important roles in these projects, striving to explore the myths of the universe; they are also trying to understand major scientific issues facing the human race, including human health and climate change, by establishing cross-border research platforms such as the SDU-KI Translational Medicine Collaborative Research Platform and the SDU-Nottingham Green Energy and Materials Research Center.
Science: Where do you think the University’s greatest strengths lie?
Fan: By 2051, when the school is 150 years old, we hope it will have become one of the top-tier universities in the world. With its seven core strategies in talent, academics, culture, local social service, internationalization, and integrated and interdisciplinary development, it is on track to be an influential science and innovation center where talent flows like spring water.
