From June 21 to 22, Harbin Engineering University (HEU) hosted the 10th Xinghai Forum for International Young Scholars. GAO Yan, Secretary of the CPC HEU Committee, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. HEU President SONG Yingdong also addressed the forum, followed by a featured speech from Academician YANG Desen of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Professor at the College of Underwater Acoustics. YIN Hang, Assistant to the President, presided over the ceremony. The forum brought together leaders from 17 academic and research units, national-level young talent representatives, academic innovation team leaders, and nearly 4,000 outstanding young scholars from around the world, participating both online and in person.

In his address, GAO Yan reaffirmed the university’s strong commitment to a talent-driven development strategy. He emphasized that HEU continues to enhance its comprehensive talent cultivation system—spanning recruitment, development, utilization, and retention—with a special focus on nurturing young scholars. He highlighted the forum as a unique platform for academic exchange and collaboration and a key initiative in HEU’s broader effort to strengthen its faculty. GAO expressed his hope that participating scholars would deepen their understanding of the university, become more familiar with its environment, and ultimately choose to join the HEU community.

President SONG Yingdong reiterated the university’s dedication to cultivating high-level talent to meet national development goals. To this end, HEU has introduced a range of initiatives, including individualized “growth profiles” for young faculty, a structured mentorship system with designated senior advisors, and personalized one-on-one support aimed at accelerating their progression into leading academic roles. He noted that the current wave of technological advancement demands an unprecedented level of talent and welcomed young scholars to contribute to China’s scientific and technological progress by joining HEU.

Academician YANG Desen emphasized HEU’s strategic role in supporting China’s goals of becoming a maritime power and achieving technological self-reliance. He encouraged young scholars—especially those in the fields of shipbuilding, ocean engineering, and nuclear science—to consider HEU as a platform for impactful research and innovation.

Throughout the forum, university leaders, academic teams, national youth talent program members, and postdoctoral researchers shared their experiences and perspectives on talent development, career advancement, and postdoctoral research opportunities.

A representative from the Human Resources Office also presented HEU’s comprehensive talent support policies, covering ten key areas, including career development platforms, research team resources, personal growth opportunities, compensation and benefits, housing support, and education options for scholars' children.