On the morning of August 9, 2025, to thoroughly implement the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important speeches and instructions during his inspection of the university, deepen the “five-in-one” integration concept, and practice the “five adherences and five emphases” principles, Harbin Engineering University (HEU) held the Innovation and Development Conference of the School of Economics and Management in the Multi-Functional Hall of the Qihang Activity Center. GAO Yan, Secretary of the University Party Committee, attended and delivered a speech. YIN Hang, Assistant to the President, also attended the event.

Distinguished guests included HAN Lihua (alumnus, Vice Chairman of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the CPPCC), GUO Zhanli (alumnus, Vice Chairman of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese), HAO Chuanbo (alumnus, Deputy Director of the Heilongjiang Provincial Committee of the CPPCC for Education, Science, Culture, Health and Sports), WANG Zhihao (alumnus, Secretary of the Party Committee of Mudanjiang Normal University), ZHANG Ping (President of Daqing Normal University and Vice Chairman of the Heilongjiang Provincial Management Society), LIAN Gang (alumnus, former Vice President of China Changan Automobile Group), SHI Wei (Dean of the Institute of Outstanding Engineers, China International Engineering Consulting Corporation), HE Jingping, WU Jianlong, ZHANG Liwen, GONG Yongming, HUANG Lucheng, and LI Bozhou.

Leaders and experts from more than 40 universities, cooperative enterprises, functional departments, alumni, retired teachers, and student representatives also attended the conference, which was hosted by YU Yunliang, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Economics and Management.

On behalf of the University Party Committee, GAO Yan expressed heartfelt gratitude to all leaders and guests who have long supported the university’s development. He noted that over the past 40 years, the School of Economics and Management has remained under the strong leadership of the Party Committee, upheld the motto “Great Engineering for Goodness, Great University for Truth,” and fulfilled its mission of “Cultivating Industrial Elites, Contributing New Knowledge in Economics and Management.” The school has trained over 10,000 talents, making important contributions to national defense and regional economic development. GAO Yan proposed three expectations for the school’s future: Focus on moral education and cultivate top-tier innovative talents; Enhance disciplinary strength and support the “Double First-Class” initiative; Deepen the integration of economic and management theories with Chinese modernization practice.He encouraged the school to seize this conference as an opportunity to pursue high-quality and innovative development.

WANG Jian, Dean of the School of Economics and Management of Harbin Institute of Technology, spoke on behalf of partner universities, emphasizing the close friendship between the two institutions and expressing hopes for continued collaboration in talent cultivation and scientific research.

SHI Wei, representing cooperative enterprises, commended the school’s achievements and called for deeper cooperation in four key areas: talent cultivation, joint research, integration of industry and education, and resource sharing.

As an alumni representative, Professor YU Lean (Business School, Sichuan University) reflected on his academic growth at HEU and expressed gratitude and pride on behalf of all alumni.

Professor LI Bozhou, academic leader of the school, shared his 39 years of teaching experience and encouraged teachers and students to carry forward the HEU spirit of being “down-to-earth, pioneering, and striving for excellence.”

LI Yuning, a 2021 doctoral student, delivered remarks as a student representative, expressing gratitude to the university and pledging to align her academic pursuits with national needs.

Dean CHEN Heng presented a comprehensive report on the school’s 40-year development, highlighting its dedication to educational excellence, innovation, and service to national strategies. He outlined the school’s vision to build a first-class economics and management institution with distinctive Longjiang characteristics and international competitiveness.

In a touching moment, retired professors HUANG Lucheng, XU Jianzhong, FAN Decheng, and WANG Hongbin were honored with flowers by young teachers, symbolizing the inheritance of the school’s spirit. LIU Xisong, founder and lifelong honorary professor, sent a video message recalling the school’s accomplishments and urging continued dedication to national service and academic excellence.

A poetry recital titled “Forty Years of Passing the Torch” by student representatives paid tribute to generations of scholars and expressed the determination to contribute to building a strong technological and maritime nation.

In his closing remarks, YU Yunliang stated that the school would continue to integrate engineering and management disciplines, promote digital intelligence empowerment, and advance education, science, and talent development with pioneering spirit and innovative thinking.

The conference concluded with all guests and alumni singing the university anthem, marking a successful end to the event. Teachers and students pledged to uphold their ideals and embark on a new journey toward greater achievements.

In the afternoon, two parallel forums were held: the “Dean’s Forum on Economic and Management Scientific Research in the Digital Intelligence Era” and the “Dean’s Forum on Economic and Management Talent Cultivation in the Digital Intelligence Era.” Professors DU Huibin, FAN Ying, CHE Ada, and WEI Jiuchang delivered keynote speeches. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions on the future of teaching and research in the digital intelligence era, contributing valuable insights to the continued innovation and development of the School of Economics and Management.