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The wind and rain have engraved the traces of time on his face, but the pair of eyes still shine brightly, revealing the brilliance of wisdom.
Even though he is over the age of old, when Academician Shi Yigong recalled the moment of the speech that stirred up thousands of waves in 2022, his eyes were full of vitality again.
"It was on the stage of the 10th annual meeting of the China Association for Science and Technology. "At that time, I did not hesitate to shout: 'The strength of American science is far beyond your imagination, and it will still dominate the direction of global scientific and technological development in the next few decades!' You can't imagine that the scene was silent at that time, and you could even hear the sound of a needle falling to the ground."
Such a frank and straightforward view has undoubtedly attracted widespread controversy. Some people questioned whether he was deliberately belittling China and exalting the United States, but others deeply agreed and agreed.
In the face of these controversies, Academician Shi didn't seem to care, he smiled indifferently, stroked a pencil on the table with both hands, and said slowly: "Those people are just short-sighted.
What I am saying is not unfounded, but a well-thought-out conclusion."
With these words, Academician Shi's gaze seemed to cross the boundary of time and space, and went back to the years of study many years ago.
In the scorching summer of the 1990s, as one of the first elites to study in the United States, Shi Yigong embarked on a journey to Princeton University with great expectations.
"When I first stepped into Princeton's campus, I was immediately struck by its magnificence," said Shi Lao, who could not hide his excitement, and gestured with his hand to the outline of the campus, "where the world's most outstanding scholars have gathered, and their scientific research results have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain, and I have spent the most precious time of my life in such a strong academic atmosphere."
During his study abroad, Shi Yigong tirelessly absorbed cutting-edge scientific knowledge in the United States. With his exceptional talent and tireless efforts, he finally received his Ph.D. in molecular biophysics and became a leader in his field.
However, the thirst for knowledge did not stop with success, Shi Lao recalled: "For me, lifelong learning is my real pursuit. With a humble and studious determination, he embarked on a new journey and eventually completed his valuable postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
From 1990 to 2008, Mr. Shi Yigong lived and studied in the United States for 18 years, and witnessed the whole process of scientific and technological development there.
This important experience was a one-fifth chapter in his life, and he was fortunate enough to meet and meet many of the elite people in the American technology community, and thus gained a deeper and unique understanding of the power of American science and technology.
"It was because of those precious years spent in the United States that I was able to say those words so firmly. Mr. Shi had a solemn face and spoke word by word.
"Did you know that as early as when I was studying in the United States, I began to explore the secrets behind the power of technology? He paused for a moment, as if he was sorting out his thoughts, and waved his hands lightly in front of him: "The core of the training model of American higher education is to focus on cultivating students' independent thinking and innovation ability, rather than overemphasizing high scores and meritocracy like the mainland.
Students who thrive in such an educational environment will undoubtedly be even more remarkable in their innovative thinking and pioneering spirit.
Mr. Shi's words were impassioned, and his tone became more and more exciting: "You see, in the United States, we often hear slogans like this: 'Don't let grades limit you', 'Learning to think is better than learning to answer.'"
Their educational philosophy is to encourage students to dare to challenge book knowledge, think positively, and pursue the truth, rather than just copying the teacher's point of view."
When he talked about this, he couldn't help but slap the table hard, and his eyes showed great affirmation and approval: "There is no doubt that it is this unique educational concept that has given birth to generations of outstanding figures in the American science and technology industry, and it is precisely because of this that the United States can always maintain a global leading position in the development of cutting-edge fields such as artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and materials science."
Mr. Shi suddenly remembered something, and a sly smile appeared on his face: "In addition to the concept of education, the talent policy of the United States is also a key factor in promoting its scientific and technological development.
He said earnestly: "Just imagine how many outstanding students from the mainland choose to stay in the United States to work or continue their studies after obtaining their degrees? This is tantamount to China sending a steady stream of fresh blood to the United States."
When we look at the United States, it has successfully attracted the world's top scientific and technological elites in various fields through carefully planned talent introduction programs, so that these outstanding scholars can fully realize their talents and potential on a broad stage.
Shi Lao recounted with great emotion, "It is precisely because of this that in this open-minded and energetic environment, countless innovative ideas and research results have sprung up like mushrooms after a rain, which is really amazing! This has undoubtedly become a key factor for the United States to stand at the forefront of science and technology in the world."
Going back to the time when he was a student at Princeton, Mr. Shi deeply misses the campus life at that time. There, scholars from all over the world often engaged in heated debates over new theories at the forefront of academic research, and this tense academic atmosphere is still fresh in Shi Lao's memory.
"Academic exchange activities in the United States are extremely active, and the interaction between scientific institutions and the business community is even more frequent. Shi Lao sighed, "Cutting-edge theories can be quickly transformed into actual productive forces and promote the rapid development of society."
It is this virtuous circle that has enabled the United States to always maintain its leading position in the field of scientific and technological innovation.
However, Shi Lao's words also revealed a trace of indignation: "Unfortunately, due to the influence of many factors such as educational concepts, there is still a big gap between the mainland's scientific and technological development level and that of other countries."
"Even the most experienced and high-ranking experts are bogged down in the quagmire of exam-oriented education. Shi Lao shook his head and sighed, "They overemphasize test scores and ignore the importance of cultivating students' divergent thinking."
In the long run, students will only memorize by rote, and few will be able to come up with new and unique ideas or ideas.
Speaking of this, Shi Lao couldn't help but let out a heavy sigh, and his hands tightly grasped the edge of the desk: "It is no wonder that such an education model will lead to the phenomenon of many 'high scores and low ability' among the talents exported by China."
In the field of scientific research and innovation, their contribution is really minimal, so while China has a clear advantage in terms of science and engineering students, the real innovation results are far less than those of the United States.
Shi Lao's tone was full of helplessness, he paused for a moment, and said with a serious expression: "In addition, the mainland is also facing a serious problem of brain drain.
Every year, a large number of graduates choose to stay abroad after obtaining their degrees.
"Today, time flies, and the situation is attached to the old state, which is really impressive..."Shi Lao shook his head lightly with a sad emotion, his face was full of worry.
This long-held theme seemed to open the door to his long-sealed memory, and he looked out the window, through countless towering buildings, and finally stayed on the distant horizon.
He fell into a moment of contemplation, as if in deep agony over this unchangeable reality. After a long time, he turned his gaze back to the eyes again, and his face regained his determination.
"Despite the many difficulties and challenges we faced, I never chose to give up. ”
Although he has realized the many shortcomings of domestic scientific and technological development, Shi Lao has not been discouraged by this. "No reform can happen overnight, we need to keep our feet on the ground and move forward one step at a time."
In 2008, with his love for the motherland, Academician Shi returned to China for development without hesitation. Soon after, he found a new world to realize his dream - Westlake University.
"As one of the founders of this young university, I knew that I had to work my teaching philosophy. Shi Lao recalled, waving his hands in front of his chest, "We have the courage to try and actively promote the model of 'heuristic teaching' and 'seminar-based learning' in the education of undergraduates."
He paused for a moment, his face full of pride: "It is no longer a simple indoctrination of knowledge, but to guide students to think actively and cultivate independent opinions." This new model of entertaining and teaching has quickly been warmly welcomed by the majority of teachers and students.
In addition to promoting innovative teaching models at Westlake University, Mr. Shi has also expanded his vision to a broader field. "I firmly believe that only by keeping up with the international pace and absorbing advanced ideas can we truly achieve transcendence.
He said with confidence.
As a result, under his advocacy and promotion, Westlake University frequently carries out academic exchanges and visits with well-known universities in the United States and other developed countries.
Shi Lao personally organized a number of Sino-US cooperation seminars, and also held a series of creative educational workshops for students.
"This kind of communication allows students to experience the most cutting-edge academic ideas first-hand and witness the collision of ideas between different cultures. Shi Lao spoke with great interest, his eyes shining with wisdom, "In such an atmosphere, their thinking will become more open and innovative."
However, the great goal pursued by Shi Lao is to cultivate a group of new talents with independent thinking ability and innovative spirit through these continuous exploration and practice.
"Although the current achievements are still difficult to compare with those of the United States, I firmly believe that as long as we have firm faith and perseverance, we will one day be able to regain the honor of being a scientific and technological power!" Shi Lao said enthusiastically.
He changed his tone abruptly, and his tone became humble and sincere: "However, I have really only contributed my own insignificant strength. The rise of China's science and technology requires the unremitting efforts and perseverance of many people of insight.
Speaking of this, Shi Lao fell into deep thought. His gaze crossed the bookshelves behind him, past the tall buildings outside the window, and finally rested on the clouds in the sky.
After a short silence, Shi Lao looked forward again, and his face showed an extremely pious expression.
"However, I was really only contributing my own insignificant strength. He modestly said, "The rise of China's science and technology requires the unremitting efforts and perseverance of many people of insight."
As soon as he finished speaking, he fell silent. Outside the window, the last rays of the setting sun fell on the side of his face, adding a warm orange glow to his battered face.
A ray of sunset light pierced through his eyes, shining brightly in those deep eyes.
At this moment, Shi Lao is like a wise elder, impassioned teachings, and now he still has hope, full of endless longing for the future of the motherland's science and technology.