On April 2, 2025, Prof. Fang Yu gave a report titled “My Thoughts on Innovation-driven Talent Cultivation and Scientific Research” at the second session of “Chang’an Lectures” held in the Student Theater of Xinyong Student Activities Center, Chang’an Campus, Shaanxi Normal University.

From the height of innovation-led high-quality development, Fang Yu introduced the cutting-edge development in the field of education and science and technology at home and abroad, and shared his group’s exploration and practice in the field of CBRN sensors and molecular materials over the years. Through detailed data and specific cases, he expounded the new requirements and challenges put forward by the current economic and social development on scientific research and talent cultivation, and argued that strengthening basic research and talent cultivation of basic disciplines is of vital significance for coping with the international competition in science and technology, realizing the self-reliance and self-reliance of high-level science and technology, promoting the construction of a new pattern of development, and realizing high-quality development.

Fang Yu also told the audience that as a strategic technology leading a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial change, AI realizes large-scale application demonstration of new technologies and new products and new scenarios through disruptive innovations. He said that education should emphasize more on the cultivation of students' comprehensive literacy and innovation ability, and strive to cultivate outstanding innovative talents who love science, have high aspirations, dare to be the first, and have a patriotic heart for their country. He said that scientific research should be guided by the major national needs, based on the construction of comprehensive new research platforms, and carry out basic research that will be of great merit and benefit to future generations, so as to produce high-level research results and contribute to the acceleration of the construction of an innovative country. Fang Yu encouraged the young students to inherit and carry forward the spirit of scientists, integrate their personal ideals and pursuits into the cause of the Party and the country, adhere to the truth, be innovative, continue to explore the road of research, and strive to grow up to become a new person of the times who is capable of taking on the heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation.

The report was presided over by SNNU vice president Dong Zhibao, and attended by Ms Ma Xiaoyun, member of the Standing Committee of SNNU Party Committee and director of the Publicity Department of the Party Committee, and Prof. Gao Lingxiang, secretary of the Party Committee of School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, and SCCE Dean Prof. Xue Dong, and other university officials.

About 400 students and teachers from the School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, the School of Materials Science and Engineering, the School of Physics and Information Technology, the School of Food Engineering and Nutrition Science, the School of Life Science and the School of Computer Science, the school of Graduate School, the Office of Academic Affairs, the Department of Science and Technology and other departments attended the event.