On June 16, SIAS University held a grand ceremony in the Lecture Hall on the first floor of the Library to mark the establishment of its Strategic Development Expert Committee and the appointment of Professor Zheng Qiang.
Dr shawn chen, Founder and Chairman of the university, together with members of the university leadership team, attended the ceremony. All middle-level administrative staff and more than 700 student representatives were also present. The event was presided over by Party Secretary Niu Xiaoyu.
At the ceremony, Dr shawn Chen delivered a speech on behalf of the university, extending a warm welcome to Professor Zheng Qiang.
He noted that Professor Zheng is a distinguished scholar with profound academic achievements and extensive experience in university governance, educational reform, scientific research, and ideological leadership. The appointment marks a highly strategic milestone in the university’s development.
Dr shawn chen emphasized that SIAS University upholds the motto “Integration of Chinese and Western Cultures, Unity of Knowledge and Practice”, and is steadily advancing its “AI+X” educational reform. The university is committed to fostering interdisciplinary integration between science and the humanities, and cultivating students’ innovative thinking, cross-cultural competence, and AI literacy.
He further stated that the core competitiveness of a university lies in its spirit and value guidance. He expressed confidence that Professor Zheng’s wisdom and leadership would further inspire the faculty and students, strengthen the university’s academic atmosphere, and support the steady and sustainable development of all institutional initiatives.
Niu Xiaoyu read out the official document titled “Notice of SIAS University on the Establishment of the Strategic Development Expert Committee and the Appointment of Comrade Zheng Qiang” on site.
The document states that the Strategic Development Expert Committee will serve as the university’s highest-level advisory, deliberative, and guiding body for strategic planning, major reforms, and teaching quality assurance. Its key responsibilities include conducting research and providing consultation on the university’s medium- and long-term development planning, discipline and program construction, high-level talent recruitment, resource allocation, institutional performance evaluation, as well as risk assessment and management in major decision-making processes.
The university has appointed Professor Zheng Qiang as Chairman and Chief Expert of the Strategic Development Expert Committee, and concurrently as the Chief Education Supervisor of the university.
The statement noted that Professor Zheng’s appointment will provide strong momentum for deepening educational reform, enhancing the university’s academic standing, and strengthening its institutional brand. It is expected to offer top-level intellectual support for the university’s high-quality and leapfrog development.
Subsequently, Dr shawn Chen on behalf of the university, presented the official appointment letter to Professor Zheng Qiang.
Zheng Qiang delivered his acceptance remarks and keynote sharing.
He stated that he has maintained a long-standing connection with SIAS University and has closely followed its development over the years. Observing the rapid and dynamic progress of Central China, he expressed great honor in being able to participate in the development and construction of SIAS University.
He noted that he will earnestly fulfill his responsibilities, fully leverage his academic expertise, experience, and professional resources, and provide constructive advice and supervisory support in areas such as strategic planning, educational reform, and discipline development. He emphasized his commitment to advancing the university’s teaching and learning reforms in a practical and effective manner, helping the institution steadily progress toward becoming a distinctive, high-level application-oriented university.
The establishment of the Strategic Development Expert Committee and the appointment of senior experts represent an important strategic initiative by the university to consolidate high-level intellectual resources, strengthen top-level institutional design, and promote high-quality, connotative development.
Looking ahead, SIAS University will continue to leverage its expert advisory platform to further deepen educational and teaching reforms, strengthen its distinctive academic identity, and comprehensively enhance its overall institutional strength and talent cultivation quality. The university remains committed to advancing steadily toward its goal of becoming a high-level application-oriented university.
