Recently, Prof. Gong Xingao, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chancellor of Guangdong Technion - Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) and Xie Xide Distinguished Professor of Fudan University, was elected as "2023 Shanghai Education Hero". Since April, 2021, Prof. Gong has been serving as the Chancellor of GTIIT. The computational condensed matter physicist is leading the young Sino-foreign university to open a new chapter.

"Shanghai Education Hero" is an honorary title awarded by the Shanghai Municipal Government every five years since 2003, with no more than 10 winners per session, to recognize outstanding educators who have made significant contributions to the education system. Famous scientists including Prof. Tan Jiazhen, Prof. Gu Chaohao, Academician Tang Zhaoyou, Academician Wen Yumei were awarded in the previous sessions.

As a scientist focusing on basic research, Chancellor Gong has been engaged in computational condensed matter physics research for more than 40 years, and has made a series of important original achievements in the related field. As a professor, he has been influencing students by example and became a good mentor as well as a good friend of the young generation. Under his guidance, a group of young talents became top reseachers and scientists in the field of computational physics.

Chancellor Gong has worked intensively in basic research, science innovation, interdisciplinary integration and other aspects since his serving as GTIIT’s Chancellor. He led the GTIIT research team to strive in the major strategic fields including environment, energy and health, receiving funds for more than 100 national and provincial research projects, published nearly 1,000 research papers, and made breakthroughs in various fields for obtaining patents. In recent years, the university has vigorously promoted the construction of key research and innovation platforms such as the Nan’ao Science Forum, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Energy Conversion Materials and Technology, and the GTIIT-Changzhou China-Israel Innovation Park Strategic Cooperation Platform. These initiatives have made significant progress, laying a solid foundation for the development of a high-level science and engineering research university. GTIIT keeps in close touch with the government and industries, to promote technological transfer and innovation, aiming at enhancing the high-quality development of Guangdong Province and contributing to the sci-tech self-reliance and self-strengthening at higher levels.

Chancellor Gong is dedicated to exploring strategies and mechanisms for innovative talent cultivation in GTIIT. The University is in a deep integration with the Technion’s innovation education. Its graduates acquired a bright future and the proportion of graduates pursuing future study of research program has been increasing year by year. A growing number of GTIIT graduates have received PhD offers from top research universities such as Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley, making great influence in the high-tech industry. GTIIT has been widely recognized of its research and talents.

Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs, Fudan University