Series high-end academic forum for celebrating the 6th anniversary of School of Materials Science and Engineering was held in NKU from November 11 to 27, 2021 both online and offline. Online academic exchanges concerning the improvement of materials discipline and the latest developments in the material field were carried out among 20+ experts from dozens of universities and research institutes including Sichuan University (SCU), Tiangong University (TGU) and Northwestern Polytechnical University (NWPU). The forum was presided over by the dean of the School and attended by members of the leading group and nearly 100 teachers and students of the School.

At the opening ceremony, the leaders of the School delivered welcome speeches, emphasized the significance of future exchanges among sister colleges for the perfection of materials discipline in NKU, introduced the School, development of its disciplines, and main achievements since its establishment.

Important experiences on the effectiveness of the construction of first-class disciplines of materials and the interdisciplinary integration were shared by Professor Yang Wei, Assistant Dean of College of Polymer Science and Engineering, SCU, Professor Zheng Shijian, Assistant Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Professor Zhou Huamin, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Huazhong University of Science and Technology; Professor Li Zhou, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Central South University; Professor Hou Hua, Vice President of Taiyuan University of Science and Technology and Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, North University of China.

Special reports on the latest developments in the research directions of composite materials, energy storage and conversion, etc. were made by Professor Jiang Yong, Vice President of TGU, Professor Geng Jianxin, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, TGU, Professor Zhu Tiejun, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Professor Qin Gaowu, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Northeastern University, Professor Pan Anlian, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Professor Peng Junbiao, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, South China University of Technology, Professor Zhao Lidong, Vice Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Professor Sun Zhengming, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Southeast University (SEU), Professor You Yumeng, Executive Dean of Chien-Shiung Wu College of SEU, Researcher Dai Qing, Director of Science and Technology Department of National Center for Nanoscience and Technology, Professor Xiong Yujie, Vice President of Anhui Normal University, Fan Jiangli, Professor of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Professor Wang Fazhou, Vice President of Wuhan University of Technology, Professor Chen Xueyuan, Researcher of Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Professor Xu Wei, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tongji University.

Professor Li Jinshan, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, NWPU, Professor Huang Mingliang, Dean of School of Materials Science and Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, and Professor Pang Siping, Vice President of Beijing Institute of Technology put forward their new ideas on the development direction of materials discipline in terms of military-civilian integration.

The successful forum provides a platform for in-depth discussion of frontier scientific research achievements and future development, and for exchanges on materials disciplines among sister colleges, laying a sound foundation for further cooperation. By adhering to four orientations, the School of Materials Science and Engineering, NKU will make an organic combination of basic sciences with applied research, enhance the independent innovation ability of scientific research, and endeavor to become an important source of innovation for enterprises, regions and even the country.