Invigorating China through science and education has been an essential national strategy. In this process, talents are the primary productive force of sci-tech innovation. Therefore, the cooperation between universities and high schools will enhance the cultivation of qualified talents with shared educational resources.

Guangdong Technion – Israel Institute of Technology (GTIIT) has engaged in active collaboration with local high schools in recent years, including the launches of science lectures and career talks, which are effective practices to inspire young people's creativity and assist their career planning.

Science in High School, Future in Youth

Shantou Chaoyang Experimental School

In Shantou Chaoyang Experimental School, Prof. Xu Peng from GTIIT Chemical Engineering Program gave a science lecture titled "The Infinite Future of Engineering Biotechnology", which attracted many students who were interested in biology to participate.

Among the various mysteries of nature, the activity of life is the most exquisite and complex process on earth. As the global population grows and humans’ exploiting of natural resources, we are facing energy crises, food shortages, ecological imbalances and various threats to public health.

According to Prof. Xu, engineering biology uses basic chemistry, mathematics and engineering laws to explore life processes and solve environmental, energy and health problems that are closely related to us, in order to better promote the harmonious coexistence between human and nature as well as the sustainable development of the society. He explained to the students the application of modern biotechnology in industry, medicine, food, energy, agriculture, environment and health, pointed out that biotechnology requires comprehensive knowledge in many fields such as reaction dynamics, fluid mechanics, biochemical engineering, and emphasized the important role of interdisciplinary talents in scientific research.

In the Q&A session, students discussed with Prof. Xu about drug transmission, organ transplantation, artificial meat, evolution and other topics. They are concerned about the cutting-edge topics in the field of biology, and put forward their own understanding and ideas actively. Their performance was recognized and appreciated by Prof. Xu. He encouraged the students to keep good habits of thinking and asking, find their interests and aspire to become future scientific and technological talents.

Shantou S.E.Z Linbaixin Middle School

“The small microorganisms have greater potential in new knowledge and biotechnological applications!” said Prof. Gu Ji-Dong from Environmental Science and Engineering Research Group of GTIIT in the lecture themed “Microorganisms: Friends or Foes” at Shantou S.E.Z Linbaixin Middle School.

By using vivid examples from Leeuwenhoek, who was the first to observe microbes after nearly 40 years’ lens-making, to the violin wood modified by special fungus technology in recent years, Prof. Gu showed the vital role of microorganisms in the history of human development and even the history of earth evolution. He also introduced the various forms that human beings, plants and different microorganisms interact with each other – their relationships are friends and foes.

During the lecture, Prof. Gu shared his experience of study and work, conveying the charm of science to the students as well as inspiring them to pursue their dreams. His fresh perspective and patient answers won applause from teachers and students. He also encouraged students that there are always new frontiers to science for discovery and personal interest and perseverance play an important role to success. They should aim high and go beyond themselves on the way to science.

Target Future with Clear Plans

GTIIT offers career planning guidance to high school students to assist them to achieve personalized and sustainable development. With the idea of combining the needs of national development with their own interests and talents, they are given advice on how to plan their career in advance.

Dr. Chen Fen, director of GTIIT Career and Learning Center, was invited to the Affiliated Haojiang Experimental School of South China Normal University to give a lecture about career development.

Dr. Chen saw from the viewpoints of high school students, used many interesting cases to explain to students the importance of finding the field they love in the lecture, and introduced the professional planning steps. She also helped students identify their career direction by analyzing six types of occupational roles in an organic farm.

In addition, Dr. Chen also recommended various career orientation test websites and major introduction websites to students, which could assist them to explore different kinds of majors and future careers on the basis of well self-knowledge.

During the Q&A session, students raised their hands and posed questions such as "How to find the balance between personal interests and parents' expectations?" "How to find the direction I am really interested in?" "How to improve my interest in inferior subjects?" Dr. Chen was impressed by the depth of their thought, and encouraged students to work hard and follow their passions.

In the future, GTIIT will shoulder the social responsibility of cultivating national talents, nurturing high school education by university education, and promoting the integration of high school education and university education, in order to cultivate high-quality talents with international vision and innovative aptitude.

Text/Photos: GTIIT News & Public Affairs