On the evening of 22 September, the launch ceremony of the 2026 Heilongjiang Tour of Science Master Drama was held at Harbin Engineering University (HEU), featuring the original production The Weight of Life created by Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
NI Zhiyu, Member of the Party Leadership Group of the China Association for Science and Technology (CAST), and PANG Da, Chairman of Heilongjiang Association for Science and Technology (HAST), attended and delivered speeches. YIN Jingwei, President of HEU, gave a welcome address, and the ceremony was presided over by TAN Yuhong, Vice Chairman of HAST.
YIN Jingwei stated that the Science Master Drama initiative guides young students and sci-tech workers to inherit and practice the spirit of scientists. HEU has created a number of original stage plays. The university will uphold traditions while pursuing innovation, pool synergy for collaborative education by integrating domestic and international resources, bravely shoulder its mission, demonstrate the practical power of the scientist spirit in national construction, and translate spiritual inspiration into concrete actions in education, research and national service.
NI Zhiyu noted that Science Master Drama is an important carrier for inheriting the scientist spirit and fostering an innovation culture. He called on more universities in Heilongjiang to tap into the resources of outstanding faculty, students and alumni in research fields, and create stage works with profound ideological content, artistic excellence and sophisticated production. He also encouraged young students to stay grounded and apply their achievements to modernisation. CAST will continue to explore innovation and fulfil its service duties to support the growth of young sci-tech talents.
PANG Da described the drama tour as a soul-nourishing artistic feast. Generations of scientific masters have dedicated themselves to the country and pursued research with devotion, embodying the scientist spirit of patriotism, innovation, truth-seeking, dedication, collaboration and education. He expressed the hope that sci-tech workers and university students across the province would strive for tangible achievements to drive high-quality development in Heilongjiang, and remain student-focused to build a strong reserve force for the province’s sci-tech innovation.
The Weight of Life chronicles the life of Academician DUAN Zhengcheng, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering who devoted his career to scientific research for the nation. Using research drawings as a narrative thread, the play innovatively adopts multiple perspectives and non-linear storytelling to truly restore DUAN’s life journey across scientific research, teaching and daily life. It highlights his noble character of diligent scholarship, quiet dedication and sincere patriotism, vividly portraying a simple, pure and pragmatic scientist.
During the tour, a series of high-quality Science Master Dramas will be staged at universities across Heilongjiang, promoting the scientist spirit through the art of theatre.
