School away day review

On December 18th, 2024 all faculty and staff of the School of Science (SCI), Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU), participated in the School Away Day event. They jointly celebrated the achievements of an unprecedentedly successful 2024 year that is drawing to a closure and looked forward with a sense of excitement to the amazing work and outstanding developments that lie ahead in the New Year, 2025.

At 10:30 am, the faculty and staff took two coach buses to the first destination of the event - the unique XJTLU Yuefeng Island Ecological Station located by the Yangcheng Lake. This is the first filed station established at XJTLU that aims to support innovative teaching and research activities at the university.

Led by Professor Uromi Goodale and Dr. Xueqing He from the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, School of Science, everyone walked into the beautiful ecological station. It was a great opportunity to learn more information about the good work and significant research progress made at the station and for the group to also enjoy a nice walk through the rich and beautiful vegetation and serene environment on a sunny winter day.

"The Yuefeng Island Ecological Station is an outdoor research station jointly built by the Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, SCI and the Yuefeng Island Organic Farm. It is also the first field station for SCI and XJTLU" Dr. Xueqing He said. She then proceeded to further explain: "Based on years of cooperation, we and Yuefeng Island have jointly worked and released multiple and important research results such as the 'Biodiversity Assessment of Organic Rice' and 'Bird Diversity Survey.' The ecological station is a vital carrier of knowledge and an essential component of our ability to conduct and engage in high quality scientific research, environmental monitoring, teaching practice, and public science popularization."

The Seed Bank of the Yuefeng Island Organic Farm located within the ecological park is a "gene bank" of crop germplasm resources in Suzhou. Under the guidance of the knowledgeable staff from the farm, SCI participants received an introductory but detailed explanation of the locally distinctive crop seeds displayed in the Seed Bank, such as Suyunuo glutinous rice, Niutada flat bean, Qingpi green flesh, and Huanglang pumpkin. They also gained a deeper understanding and better appreciation of Suzhou's rich and diverse crop germplasm resources.

Subsequently, SCI faculty and staff arrived at the beautiful Fairmont Yangcheng Lake Hotel for a sumptuous lunch and engagement in instructive and fun-filled afternoon activities. Professor John Moraros, Dean, School of Science, delivered an informative talk on the many outstanding accomplishments of the School during a highly productive and successful year 2024 and laid out the ambitious agenda and plans for an exciting 2025.

"This is the first time we have held such an interesting and special School Away Day event. My many thanks to our university senior administration for their kind support," said Professor John Moraros. "Undoubtedly, we have had a very productive and successful year and it is important to conclude it on a high note. This is a wonderful opportunity to review, reflect and celebrate our many accomplishments and excellent work in 2024 and to plan and look forward to an even more rewarding and ambitious 2025 for all members of our School of Science."

Professor Moraros provided a comprehensive summary of the considerable educational and research achievements and exciting academic developments of the SCI.  The summary detailed the past year accomplishments from multiple perspectives and dimensions such as the record setting student enrollment numbers (undergraduate, Masters and PhD), increased quantity and improved quality of research outputs, and enhanced industry collaborations in both projects and funding, and looked forward to the key strategic goals and exciting directions for the School's growth and continued development in the new year. "These outstanding achievements are a byproduct of the dedication, professionalism and hard work of all our faculty and staff, who have performed their respective duties efficiently, effectively and with collective purpose. Our faculty are amazing scientists, highly productive scholars and caring teachers, who have contributed significantly to establishing a culture of excellence in everything we do within our School. We are an agile, getting it done team that enjoys performing at a high level, and is unafraid to tackle challenges in pursuit of our ambitious goals. All credit and my warm congratulations to our outstanding faculty and students" he said sincerely.

In the later session, hosted by Professor Uromi Goodale, Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, SCI participants enjoyed well-designed team games and interactive sessions. In the balloon-stomping game, each group of two participants had to defend and attack balloons in a "two-person, three-legged" fun manner, exercising unity, team building, tactical understanding, and coordination between them. In the singing session, colleagues from different regions of China and many countries from across the world sang along together to various popular songs in different languages, earning applause from the audience and demonstrating the synergistic resonance, comradery and strength of internationalization and multiculturalism within the School and a hallmark of XJTLU.

Amid laughter and joy, the SCI School Away Day event concluded successfully. "Today, we gathered here as a close, tight knit, big family to have fun, strengthen our bonds, make our connections closer and jointly welcome the upcoming and destined-to-be-more-wonderful New Year” said Professor Uromi Goodale.  “I wish everyone much success and to all members of our SCI and XJTLU a prosperous, happy and healthy New Year, 2025” Professor John Moraros concluded.

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