On October 17, 2023, Prof. Fang Yu presented a special report titled Basic Science and Sustainable Development at the Science and Technology Auditorium at Hebei Normal University for HNU teachers and students. HNU vice president Zheng Zhenfeng and Science and Technology Department director Zeng Yanli presided over the report. Representatives of HNU young teachers, graduate students and undergraduates attended the report.

Starting from the value of basic science, Fang Yu combined the importance of basic research in developed countries with his own research experience in the field of chemistry, and emphasized the importance of basic research. He talked about the importance of education from the patriotic feelings of the older generation of scientists, and highlighted the decisive significance of education to improving the comprehensive quality of the people, promoting the all-round development of people, enhancing the innovation and creativity of the Chinese nation, and realizing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. He used the stories of scientists to inspire young teachers and students and let the audience understand the lofty spirit and excellent quality of scientists.

On the same day, Fang Yu also attended the 2023 Chemistry Discipline Construction and Academic Frontier Seminar of Hebei Normal University, and delivered an opening speech as the chairman of the conference.