Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) held its Life Sciences Building Opening Ceremony and Strategic Development Announcement on 31 March. The new building will serve as a platform for research and education within a broader social ecosystem, expanding the University’s academia-industry connections to collaborate with government and wider society.
Notable attendees included local government representatives; guests from more than 30 national, provincial, and municipal media outlets – including Xinhua News Agency, China Media Group, and Guangming Daily – and nearly 200 representatives from the University’s schools, academies, and administrative departments.
XJTLU Life Sciences Building
XJTLU Life Sciences Building Opening Ceremony and Strategic Development Announcement
From industrial to social ecosystems
At the opening ceremony, Professor Youmin Xi, Executive President of XJTLU, spoke on how the rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) will affect people’s perception of society and human capability in the next decade. He contends that the University needs to adapt, not only facilitating industrial integration but also building a mindset of lifelong learning, entrepreneurship, and values for wider social needs. This, he noted, will help build a more open and resilient social ecosystem.
In response, XJTLU plans to extend its “industrial ecosystem” under the 3.0 model into a “social ecosystem” and launch the 4.0 model – moving from bridging academia and industry to actively contributing to future social development, while strengthening the links between education, research, and social needs.
Professor Youmin Xi speaking on XJTLU’s future mission
Li Chen, Secretary of the Party Working Committee of the Dushu Lake Science and Education Innovation District, Suzhou Industrial Park (SIP), said in her speech: “Over the past two decades, XJTLU has been deeply rooted in SIP and served the local community, establishing itself as an outstanding example of internationalised higher education.
“The inauguration of the Life Sciences Building marks another important milestone for XJTLU in the deep integration of industry, academia, research, government and society, and will inject new impetus into the development of the regional biomedical industry.”
Representatives from across the University’s schools and academies also shared their progress and plans.
Professor Lei Fu, Executive Dean of XJTLU Wisdom Lake Academy of Pharmacy, detailed advances in platform development, collaborative research, and strategic planning across life sciences and pharmaceutical innovation. Professor Jintai Ding, Dean of the School of Mathematics and Physics, outlined his team’s work on post-quantum cryptography and real-world security applications. Dr Yufan Zheng, Associate Professor at the School of Intelligent Manufacturing Ecosystem rounded out the session, speaking to XJTLU’s growing work in industrial agents and intelligent manufacturing.
Dr Yimin Ding, Vice President of XJTLU, hosted the event. “In the context of education, research, and industry working closely together, XJTLU focuses on how to effectively bring together the development of skilled individuals, innovative research, and community services. We strive to combine these elements seamlessly through building platforms, creating new systems, and collaborating across different fields,” he said.
Dr Yimin Ding
An innovation hub
The new Life Sciences Building is a cornerstone of XJTLU’s North Campus. The building will serve as a major hub for interdisciplinary research and innovation in life sciences, health, and other related fields.
During the opening ceremony, Qian Ni, Member of CPC Suzhou Industrial Park Working Committee and Deputy Director of SIP Administrative Committee, joined XJTLU leaders on stage to witness this important moment.
The event also included the unveiling of the plaque for the Ruijin Hospital Clinical Research Centre in Suzhou, jointly inaugurated by Professor Zhoulin Ruan, Vice President for Academic Affairs at XJTLU, and Professor Wenguo Cui, Director of the Office of Science and Technology Development at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine.
A special exhibition, “In Sync with the Future”, was presented in the building’s ground-floor lobby, showcasing XJTLU’s journey in an era of rapid technological transformation.
“In Sync with the Future” exhibition
Honouring benefactors
The event also included a donor appreciation ceremony, recognising four contributors across clean energy, semiconductors, and education: Chunxuan Li, Chairman of Intercontinental Green Power (Hainan) Co.; Fangfang Xu at Jiangsu Shenzhou Semiconductor Technology; Yiheng Cao, Chairman of Suzhou Pujing Fengtu Education Technology; and Yunyu Jia, an XJTLU alumnus and also General Manager of Ruikun Education Technology Development (Suzhou). Each received certificates presented by Professor Xi and Professor Qiuling Chao, Vice President for Student Affairs and Information at XJTLU.
From left: Professor Youmin Xi, Yiheng Cao, Chunxuan Li, Fangfang Xu, Yunyu Jia, and Professor Qiuling Chao
By Wenzhen Li
Edited by Vionna Fiducia Theja, Xinmin Han, and Patricia Pieterse