The "2024 Conference on the Cooperation and Integration of Industry, Education, Research and Application (Hebei), the 7th International Symposium on Advanced Rolling Equipment Technologies (2024), and the 70th Anniversary Celebration of YSU Rolling Equipment and Process Program" were successfully held in Qinhuangdao from November 2 to 5. The event was jointly organized by YSU, the University of Science and Technology Beijing, Taiyuan University of Technology, Northeastern University, and Taiyuan University of Science and Technology, with the School of Mechanical Engineering at YSU serving as the host institution. The conference, themed "Empowering New Quality Development Through Innovation, Building on Glory and Charting a New Course", aims to implement President Xi Jinping’s important instructions on fostering international cooperation and integration of industry, education, research, and application. It seeks to foster academic exchanges and cooperation in the metallurgical and mechanical industries, provide an overview of the 70-year journey of YSU’s Rolling Equipment and Process program, and collectively envision the future trajectory of the program. The conference also aims to enhance the synergies among education, technological advancement, and talent cultivation, propelling the development of new quality productive forces in the rolling sector.
The conference was attended by numerous distinguished individuals, including members of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, namely Wang Guodong, Deng Zongquan, Huang Qingxue, Tian Yongjun, Zhang Fucheng, Li Dianzhong, and Liu Riping. Additionally, the event was graced by the presence of European Academy of Sciences member Hamid Reza Karimi and Ukrainian Academy of Engineering Sciences member Lhor Prykhodko. Also present were Wang Shechang, Secretary of the CPC Committee and Chairman of the Board of China National Heavy Machinery Research Institute Co., Ltd.; Zhang Liuyu, Vice President of Everrising Holdings Co., Ltd.; Cheng Dongsheng, Vice President of Taiyuan Heavy Industry Co., Ltd.; Wang Junsheng, Secretary of the CPC Committee and Chairman of the Board of Ansteel Beijing Research Institute Co., Ltd.; Ma Chaoyu, Vice President of Beijing Metallurgical Equipment Research & Design Institute Co., Ltd.; Zhang Lijie, Secretary of the CPC Committee and President of Hebei Agricultural University; Gao Haibo, Assistant to the President of Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT); Zhang Xinfang, Vice President of Inner Mongolia University of Science & Technology; Zhao Xianfeng, Secretary of the CPC YSU Committee; YSU President Zhao Dingxuan; YSU Vice Presidents Wang Desong, Chen Guoqiang, Huang Chuanzhen, Wang Limin, Wang Dianlong, and Wang Yuehua; Liu Hongmin, former YSU President; Liang Yingqi, former Deputy Secretary of the CPC YSU Committee; and former YSU Vice Presidents Yang Yulin and Kong Xiangdong. In addition, over 900 experts and scholars from more than 120 renowned universities, research institutions, and leading domestic enterprises, students, and alumni gathered at the event to share the latest research findings and discuss future trends in the rolling sector.
Group photo of conference participants
Peng Yan, Dean of the School of Mechanical Engineering at YSU, presided over the opening ceremony. In his speech, Zhao Xianfeng extended a warm welcome to the experts, leaders, and alumni who attended the conference. He expressed sincere gratitude to those who have provided sustained support for YSU's growth and paid tribute to the predecessors who have dedicated themselves to the development of YSU's rolling program. He stated that YSU will work together with experts and peers to accelerate the development of new quality productive forces in the rolling sector and promote the integrated development of education, technological innovation, and talent cultivation.
Zhao Xianfeng delivers a speech
Yang Quan, Director of the Metallurgical Equipment Branch of the Chinese Society for Metals and Research Fellow at the University of Science and Technology Beijing, delivered a speech at the event. He introduced the origin and development of the International Symposium on Advanced Rolling Equipment Technologies, expressed gratitude to the experts and peers in attendance, and extended best wishes to YSU's rolling program. Wang Jisheng, Deputy Chair and Secretary-General of the China Heavy Machinery Industry Association, stated in his remarks the intention to maintain close collaboration with YSU in the heavy machinery sector and to assume a more prominent role in steering industry growth and offering policy counsel to the government. In his speech, Gao Haibo, Assistant to the President of HIT, highlighted the profound historical connection between YSU's rolling mill program and HIT. He reiterated HIT's commitment to continuing its collaboration with YSU, with the objective of enhancing our country's global standing and rejuvenating the Chinese nation.
Yang Quan delivers a speech
Wang Jisheng delivers a speech
Gao Haibo delivers a speech
At the opening ceremony, a video was presented to review the 70-year history of the Rolling Equipment and Process program. The video took us on a journey from the program's early days to the present, showcasing the unwavering commitment and shared aspirations of successive generations of rolling professionals. It also highlighted the program's remarkable growth and significant achievements, as well as its enduring contributions to the advancement of China's steel industry. The video also gave us a glimpse into the program's goals and vision for the future in this new era. The video presentation was followed by special segments dedicated to the release of new products and technologies by academic institutions and enterprises, as well as the signing of major projects and international cooperation agreements. These activities were organized to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Rolling Equipment and Process program.
Anniversary celebration of the Rolling Equipment and Process program
The release of new products and technologies, as well as the signing of major projects and international cooperation agreements
The conference organizers extended invitations to several distinguished speakers to deliver keynote reports, including Chinese Academy of Engineering members Wang Guodong and Huang Qingxue, Chinese Academy of Sciences member Li Dianzhong, Professor Zhu Rong from the University of Science and Technology Beijing, Professor Silvia Barella from Politecnico di Milano, Italy, European Academy of Sciences member Hamid Reza Karimi, Ukrainian Academy of Engineering Science member Lhor Prykhodko, and YSU Professor Peng Yan. The keynote report session was chaired by Professor Zhao Dingxuan, President of YSU, and Professor Ji Ning from Paris-Saclay University.
Zhao Dingxuan and Ji Ning chair the keynote report session
The conference featured four specialized forums focusing on the following topics: the development path of new quality productive forces in the rolling sector, the development of rolling programs at universities, the launch of innovation programs for young rolling professionals, and collaborative innovation practices between universities and enterprises. These forums attracted over 400 participants from the steel industry and experts, scholars, and alumni with an interest in the industry's development. Through a range of activities such as keynote speeches, guest interviews, and roundtable discussions, the forums delved into topics like the path, method and mechanisms for integrating industry, education, research, and real-world application, the transformation and upgrading of rolling programs, and future path for university-enterprise collaboration. The atmosphere at the forums was lively and engaging.
Specialized forums
The conference included four parallel sessions, each focusing on a specific area of interest: rolling and forming equipment and processes, new steel materials preparation technologies, metallurgical automation and intelligence, and green and low-carbon metallurgical technologies. Experts and scholars from universities and enterprises around the world delivered 40 guest speeches, sharing insights from their respective fields and engaging in in-depth discussions and exchanges. Following the report session, the conference participants visited YSU's History Museum, the Discipline Gallery of the School of Mechanical Engineering, and the National Engineering Research Center for Equipment and Process Technology of C.S.R.
Visits and exchanges
The successful convening of this conference has significantly advanced the deep cooperation and integration of industry, education, research, and application. It has facilitated technical exchanges and integration within the domestic and international metallurgical and mechanical industries and will undoubtedly have a positive and lasting impact on the technological progress of the entire steel industry. The significant achievements of the conference also serve as a fitting tribute to the 70th anniversary of YSU's Rolling Equipment and Process program.
