The CEO of Smart Cinema, Dr. Jack Gao, visited Sias University and delivered a lecture on September 13. The Founder and Chairman of the Board of Sias, Dr. Shawn Chen, attended the lecture along with guests from China and abroad. Almost 600 students and teachers attended the lecture.

Before the lecture, Dr. Chen introduced Dr. Gao and spoke of the help and support he had given to education at Sias. He said that he hoped that students would use the lecture as an opportunity to learn and grow.

In his lecture, Dr. Gao spoke about his career amid the background of rapid growth and change in China over the past 40 years. He gave a detailed analysis of how to identify and seize opportunities, innovate, and seek change. He encouraged students to embrace change and pursue development that contributed to society.

In a Q&A session after the lecture, students asked Dr. Gao a variety of questions covering topics such as career planning, ideals, employment and entrepreneurship, and studying abroad. Dr. Gao took the time to answer all the students' questions and said that he hoped that students would study hard in a bid to be competitive in their practical abilities, and thereby improve their lives.

At the end of the Q&A session, Dr. Gao presented some students with autographed copies of his latest book, "Innovation & Change", to encourage them to strive towards attainable goals in their university life and beyond.

Dr. Jack Gao is to give a keynote speech at the U.S.-China Investment Forum held at Sias University on September 14. He is also scheduled to give a speech at Sias' annual Candlelight Ceremony on the 15th of September.

Dr. Jack Gao graduated from the Harbin University of Technology with a degree in Engineering Mechanics. He got his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and an Executive MBA from the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley).

Dr. Gao's remarkable résumé includes such positions as:

- Founding Partner & CEO, Smart Cinema (2018-present)

- Member, American Film Institute (AFI) Board of Trustees (2017-present)

- CEO of Legendary Pictures (2017)

- Senior Vice President and CEO of the Wanda Cultural Industry Group (2015-2017)

- Executive Chairman of Myspace China (2007-2013)

- CEO, Star TV China (2006-2011)

- Vice President of Autodesk (2003-2006)

- President & General Manager of Microsoft China (1999-2002)

He was also ranked among Hollywood Reporter's Top 100 Most Powerful People in Entertainment for two years running, in 2015-2016, and 2016-2017.