ShanghaiTech University convened the sixth plenary meeting of the second session of the University Governing Board on October 26. Board members Ding Zhongli, Zhou Xiaochuan, Zhang Jie, Gong Ke, Jiang Mianheng, Li Ruxin, and Feng Donglai attended the meeting. Invited guests included Xie Dong, Vice Mayor of Shanghai; Chen Qun, Vice Chairman of the Shanghai Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC); Wang Ping, Deputy Secretary-General of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government; Shen Wei, Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Working Committee of Education and Health; and Zhou Yaming, Director of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission. University leaders Yin Jie, Zhu Zhiyuan, Ding Hao, Wu Qiang, Jiang Ge, and Xi Nanhua were also present. The meeting was chaired by Jiang Mianheng, Chair of the University Governing Board.

The meeting included a report from Yin Jie, Executive Vice President and Provost, on the recent progress of key initiatives at ShanghaiTech. President Feng Donglai presented his vision for the university’s future development.

The board reviewed and approved the university’s 2025 financial budget and personnel appointments.

Board members expressed approval of the university’s recent achievements and offered suggestions for continued growth:

1. Strengthening the integration of education, science and technology, and human resources to advance the cultivation of students;

2. Seizing opportunities in the AI era by enhancing foundational AI research and embedding AI throughout the student training process, thereby cultivating high-quality, innovative students adept at mastering AI;

3.  Fostering students’ critical thinking and leap-learning abilities;

4.  Continuing to improve the quality of undergraduate enrollment and attract top-tier high school applicants;

5.  Balancing faculty research between diverse and signature areas, striving to meet the national priorities and future strategic goals;

6. Reforming recruitment and evaluation mechanisms for engineering and technical personnel to support their engagement in large-scale scientific facilities, ensuring they have a sense of professional fulfillment.

Vice Mayor Xie Dong praised ShanghaiTech’s leadership in higher education reform, scientific innovation, and technology transfer. She expressed hope that more research outcomes from ShanghaiTech would be transferred and find application in Shanghai. She added that as a co-sponsor of the university, the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government will continue to support ShanghaiTech’s growth and provide ample space for its innovative development.

Leaders from the CPC Shanghai Municipal Working Committee of Education and Health and the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission also offered guidance on the university’s development.