On June 9th, the council meeting and academic committee meeting of the Collaborative Innovation Center for Qi Culture Inheritance and Demonstration Zone Construction (“the Center”) were held in Shandong University of Technology (SDUT). More than 20 experts and scholars from famous research institutions and universities at home and abroad gathered at the shore of the Jixia Lake to discuss the development of the Center.
Those present at the meeting included Lv Chuanyi, Chairman of the Center and Secretary of SDUT Party Committee, Wang Zhimin, Director of the Center, former Vice Chairman of Shandong Provincial CPPCC and Dean of Qi Culture Research Institute, Zhang Qingying, Vice Mayor of Zibo City, Ren Chuandou, Chairman of Zibo Social Science Association, and Qiu Daolin, Chairman of Zibo Hongdian Culture Communication Co., Ltd.. Researcher Wang Zhenzhong, member of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Professor Zheng Kai, Director of Taoist Research Center of Peking University, Professor Bai Xi, Director of the Oriental Culture Institute of Capital Normal University, Researcher Wang Zhixin, Director of the Chui Fook Culture International Exchange, Waseda University, Japan, Professor Liao Mingchun from the Unearthed Literature Research Center of Tsinghua University and Professor Cao Feng from School of Philosophy of Renmin University of China attended the meeting. The meeting was presided over by Zha Yuxi, Vice President and member of the Standing Committee of SDUT Party Committee.
On behalf of the university, Lv Chuanyi expressed his warm welcome to the arrival of experts and scholars. Lv said, since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, it has become a social consensus to carry forward and promote the development of excellent traditional culture. The establishment of Qi Culture Inheritance and Innovation Demonstration Zone was clearly stated in the 13th Five-Year Plan of Shandong Province. Besides, Zibo City and SDUT signed Integration Development Framework Agreement. These have provided opportunities and platforms for the construction and development of the Center. He stated that collaborative innovation has an important role in promoting the development of SDUT, and the university strongly supports the development of the Center. He urged experts and scholars present to give more valuable suggestions so as to further improve the working mode, optimize the coordination mechanism, make full use of the advantages of the Center as a platform, carry forward the inheritance and development of Qi culture, and make greater contributions to the construction of the Center.
On behalf of the Zibo Municipal Government, Zhang Qingying expressed her congratulations on the meeting and welcomed the experts and guests. She pointed out that the Qi Culture Collaborative Innovation Center is an important research institution of Qi Culture, and it plays an important supporting role in carrying on the excellent Qi culture and promoting the construction of Qi Culture Inheritance and Innovation Demonstration Zone. The convening of the conference is an important measure to implement the spirit of the 19th National Congress of CPC and promote the prosperity and development of Qi culture. It will surely push forward the construction of Zibo as a historical and cultural city. She said, the city government will continuously support the development of the Center. Together with Shandong University of Technology, we are committed to the popularization and improvement of Qi Culture research and making positive contributions to meeting the growing cultural needs of the broad masses of the people, promoting the transformation of Zibo's new and old kinetic energy and finally building a moderately prosperous society in all respects.
Wang Zhimin made a report on the work of the Center for the past year. His report reviewed the four important aspects of the work done, namely, implementing the various key measures, formulating the regulations and development plans of the Center, providing academic support for some major projects and attaching great importance to the development of the Guanzi Journal. Wang also put forward proposals for the next four years concerning the construction of the Center and the promotion of academic research.
Lv Chuanyi issued the Letter of Appointment to experts and scholars attending the conference. Wang Zhenzhong is appointed as the Director of the Center and the Academic Committee of Qi Culture Research Institute, Wang Zhimin as the Deputy Director of the Center, Zheng Kai, Bai Xi, Wang Zhixin, etc. as members of the Academic Committee, with a term of 4 years.
Wang Zhenzhong, the newly appointed director of the Academic Committee, said that he is very happy to make efforts on the inheritance and innovation of Qi Culture and the study of ancient thought and culture. “It is believed that with the support of Zibo City, SDUT and experts home and abroad, the Committee will do its utmost to promote the development of the Center and achieve breakthroughs in all aspects.
The members of the Center and the Academic Committee at the meeting passed the Regulations on the Collaborative Innovation Center for Qi Culture Heritage and Demonstration Zone Construction and Regulations of the Academic Committee of the Collaborative Innovation Center for Qi Culture Heritage and Demonstration Zone Construction. Focusing on the development of the Center in the future, members present put forward many constructive suggestions.
In October 2017, the Center led by SDUT was approved as one of the second batch of Shandong higher education collaborative innovation centers, the first of the collaborative innovation centers of liberal arts set up in the university with a focus on science and engineering in Shandong Province.（Translated by Fan）