On January 4, 2025, the Future Underground City Research Institute of Shenzhen University held a grand 2024 work summary conference for all teachers and students in the Zhigong Building Lecture Hall of the Canghai Campus. More than 200 teachers, researchers, and student representatives from the research institute gathered together to review the fruitful achievements of the past year, summarize experiences, and look forward to the development goals for 2025.
Academician Chen Xiangsheng takes the lead in summarizing and looking forward to a new journey
At the beginning of the meeting, all attendees stood up and played the national anthem of the People's Republic of China, creating a solemn and enthusiastic atmosphere that opened the conference. Academician Chen Xiangsheng first expresses sincere gratitude to all teachers and students for their hard work and selfless dedication over the past year. Academician Chen pointed out that the past year has been a year full of challenges and opportunities for the future underground city research institute. With the joint efforts of all teachers and researchers, the institute has not only achieved significant achievements in academic research and technological innovation, but also made leapfrog progress in talent introduction, platform construction, scientific research projects, and other aspects. Academician Chen emphasized that the work summary for 2024 is a recognition of the faculty and students of the entire institute, as well as an inspiration for the work in 2025. He encouraged everyone to keep up with the pace of the times, be brave in innovation, unite and forge ahead in future work, and jointly promote the research institute to move towards higher and farther goals.
The leadership and team of the research institute work together to achieve success
Professor Su Dong, as the Vice Dean of the Research Institute, reported on the main work achievements for the year 2024. In 2024, the research institute made breakthroughs in talent introduction and cultivation, successfully introducing 7 specially appointed professors, 3 assistant professors, 2 associate researchers, and 11 postdoctoral fellows. In terms of platform construction, the launching meeting of two national scientific research platforms, namely the National Key Laboratory for Intelligent Construction and Maintenance of Geotechnical and Tunnel Engineering in Extreme Environment and the National Engineering Research Center for Mine Deep Well Construction Technology, was successfully held. The large-scale underground structure full-scale loading test platform has successfully conducted two tests, further promoting the scientific research and development in the field of underground space.
In 2024, the research institute also performed well in scientific research projects, with 64 newly established longitudinal research projects and a total contract funding of 42.35 million yuan; 28 horizontal scientific research projects with a total contract budget of 14.216 million yuan. In 2024, Academician Chen Xiangsheng was awarded the title of "exemplary individual of the National Education System", and the Academy also won 23 scientific research awards, including the first prize of Guangdong Science and Technology Award. Academician Chen Xiangsheng stated that all of these achievements cannot be achieved without the efforts and hard work of every teacher and researcher. They have overcome difficulties and forge ahead in their respective research fields, achieving many landmark scientific research results. Especially in terms of international development, seven teachers were selected for the annual influence list of the top 2% of global scientists, and Professor Cui Hongzhi was even selected for the "Lifetime Scientific Influence" list.
In 2024, the research institute successfully held 7 large-scale academic conferences, including the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area Geotechnical Engineering Young Scholars Forum and the 12th National Engineering Geology Conference, and participated in a total of 120 academic conferences and exchange activities. Significant progress and breakthroughs have been made in talent, platforms, equipment, projects, and achievements, fully demonstrating the team's outstanding performance in scientific research, academia, technological innovation, and other areas.
Projects and achievements are showcased, and scientific breakthroughs are constantly emerging
Professor Cui Hongzhi reported on the latest achievements of the "Key Technology for Resilience System of Urban Underground Space Structures" project, a key project of the "14th Five Year Plan" National Key R&D Program, and demonstrated the important technological breakthroughs achieved in this field. Assistant Professor Lin Xingtao shared the latest progress in the research of the National Natural Science Foundation of China's major project "Basic Theory of Resilience of Deep Underground Space in Mega Cities", contributing new ideas to the development of resilience theory of underground space in mega cities. Associate Professor Hong Chengyu's "Key Technologies and Applications of Smart Operation and Maintenance of Urban Station City Integration Stereoscopic Network Space" and Professor Fu Yanbin's presentation on "Key Technologies for Green and Efficient Land Reclamation and Island Construction on Tomorrow's Lantau Island" provide theoretical support and technical support for multiple cutting-edge fields such as urban underground space, smart operation and maintenance, and green building.
All teachers and students work together and strive hard
Subsequently, teachers and postdoctoral fellows from various research groups reported on the research progress made in 2024. Whether it is the publication of high-level scientific research papers or technological breakthroughs and project breakthroughs, every teacher and researcher is constantly pursuing outstanding scientific research achievements and technological innovation.
The conference also held a post doctoral farewell ceremony for Dr. Zhao Qian, thanking her for her hard work and contributions to the research institute, and wishing her a bright future and all the best.
Academician Chen Xiangsheng deeply reviewed his research process since 1982 in his summary report, and shared his strategic layout and development thoughts on the School of Civil and Transportation Engineering at Shenzhen University and the Future Underground City Research Institute. He particularly emphasized that he hopes all teachers and students can continue to break through the traditional paradigm of geotechnical physics and mechanics experiments, explore innovative scientific research thinking and methods, and become composite talents with patriotism and the ability to undertake the mission of the times in the field of "future civil engineering".
Academician Chen encourages everyone to always maintain the spirit of innovation, actively embrace new challenges, and promote research and technological development in civil engineering and related fields. At the same time, Academician Chen emphasized that in the future, the Underground City Research Institute will further strengthen the spirit of teamwork, continue to innovate thinking, gather strength, ensure that scientific research work continues to reach new heights, and promote the continuous improvement of academic influence at home and abroad.
Looking ahead to the future, reaching new heights
At the end of the conference, Academician Chen Xiangsheng concluded his speech with a message to outstanding doctoral graduate Qiu Tong.
The stars have moved, and the Chinese civilization has lasted for five thousand years. At the time when human development entered the era of knowledge and information explosion, and civilization remained unchanged for nearly a century, it was also the threshold for the leap in the knowledge scope and structural system of civil engineering discipline. May you always maintain kindness, clarity of mind, calmness of heart, firmness of will, perseverance of strength, strength of spirit, and physical fitness, closely following the needs of the country's development, and not letting down your youth and the times! Heroes do not ask for their origins. Looking back at the past, those who have achieved great things do not need to be born into prestigious schools, graduated from prestigious schools, or come from renowned teachers, but rather rely on diligent self-study to become successful. It depends on your own interests, ideals, and persistent spirit! Life is unpredictable. Adhere to beliefs and goals, stand higher and see further. What about the flatness and ravines underfoot! I have always enjoyed taking small steps and running fast, never resting. Can't I catch up with the light on the other side of the road? At this moment, above all, we encourage each other!"
The annual summary conference came to a successful conclusion with warm applause. Under the leadership of Academician Chen, everyone will continue to unite and strive, forge ahead, and contribute wisdom and strength to promote the development of civil engineering discipline. In 2025, the Future Underground City Research Institute will embrace new opportunities and challenges, create greater achievements in the global underground space and urban construction fields, and promote continuous innovation and breakthroughs in the discipline.