Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) – The 16th International Young Scholars Forum of Sun Yat-sen University was held in Shenzhen on the 28th. More than 200 young scholars from around the world gathered to engage in in-depth exchanges on key disciplines, jointly explore cutting-edge academic issues, and contribute their wisdom to the construction of a talent hub and the development of scientific and technological innovation in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.
In recent years, Sun Yat-sen University has implemented a tenure-track system for teaching and research positions. This system, while providing ample resources, aims to attract and support young scholars with academic potential, encouraging them to dedicate themselves to cutting-edge research over a longer evaluation period, independently explore new disciplinary directions, and gradually grow into academic leaders.
President Academician Gao Song stated that the focus of the tenure-track system is not "leaving," but "retention," and the university hopes that young teachers can develop into outstanding scholars and scientists.
Gao Song introduced that the university officially launched its Young Scientist Cultivation Program this year, with the first batch of 22 projects already approved. These projects cover basic disciplines such as mathematics, physics, chemistry, and life sciences, focusing on key scientific challenges or cutting-edge development directions in various fields. By providing stable support over a long period of 3 to 6 years, the program encourages outstanding young talents to dare to challenge uncharted scientific frontiers.
Xia Haifeng, Associate Professor at the School of Cyberspace Security, Sun Yat-sen University, shared his impressions after nine months at the university. He said that although his time there has been short, the university has already provided him with start-up funding and assembled a research team including postdoctoral fellows, doctoral students, and master's students. The university not only provides support for academic growth but also ensures his livelihood. Furthermore, the university enjoys a favorable location in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and its "three campuses and five campuses" layout allows faculty members to be both rooted in China and look towards the world. With a multi-disciplinary approach encompassing arts, sciences, agriculture, engineering, and medicine, and a gathering of top-tier teams, the university offers broad opportunities for collaboration.
Mo Hua, Director of the Human Resources Department of Sun Yat-sen University, stated that many young scholars are concerned about the pass rate of the university's "pre-tenure to tenure system." In reality, the university does not set a fixed percentage; "We hope that all the talents we recruit will pass." According to reports, based on international standards, the pass rate for tenure is approximately 80%. Those with particularly outstanding research achievements can apply for an earlier evaluation period.
Gao Song emphasized that the university follows the laws of talent development, setting corresponding evaluation cycles and priorities for different stages, emphasizing innovation ability, the quality of research results, and actual contributions, and not using titles or honors as direct criteria or evaluation indicators. The university will continue to deepen personnel system reform, fully stimulate the enthusiasm and creativity of faculty and staff, and attract global talent with a more open attitude. (End)
