(Reporter: Xiao Yixuan) The 2025 International Conference on the Cooperation and Integration of Industry, Education, Research and Application (hereinafter referred to as IUR-A) on Advanced Functional Materials was held by the School of Materials Science and Engineering of our university from November 26 to 28. With the theme of “Pooling Strength through the Integration of Global IUR-A, Forging Breakthroughs and Development in Advanced Functional Materials”, this conference focused on key topics including “Integration of IUR-A, for Cultivating Innovative Talents”, “University-Enterprise Cooperation for Promoting the Transformation of Scientific Research Achievements” and “Global Synergy of IUR-A, for Enhancing Exchanges and Cooperation”. In-depth communications and discussions were conducted with peers from home and abroad to expand cooperation prospects and jointly drive technological breakthroughs and industrial upgrading in the field of advanced functional materials.

Group Photo of the Conference Guests and Participants

Wu Yuntao, Member of the University Party Committee Standing Committee and Vice President, Du Chunli, Director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Center, Wu Jiangyu, Deputy Director of the center, the leadership team of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, as well as faculty representatives attended the conference. The conference was presided over by Jiang Xueliang, Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering. Wu Yuntao presented the opening ceremonial speech. He sincerely invited all experts attending the conference to offer valuable suggestions for the development of the School of Materials Science and Engineering of the university. He called for all-round exchanges focusing on cutting-edge technological breakthroughs and the in-depth integration of IUR-A, and advocated for establishing broader and deeper cooperation mechanisms in joint project application, joint cultivation of postgraduate students, industrial transformation and other aspects, so as to contribute more to the innovative development of Hubei Province and the world at large. Zhao Hongyang, Vice Dean of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, delivered a detailed introduction to the university’s development history, the disciplinary construction of materials science, talent cultivation, international cooperation and other aspects.

Address by Wu Yuntao, Vice President of Wuhan Institute of Technology

Opening Ceremony

A distinguished lineup of renowned experts in the field of materials science from home and abroad were invited to this conference: Professor Chuanyi Wang (Shaanxi University of Science & Technology), Professor Natalia E. Sherstyuk (MIREA-Russian Technological University, Russia), Professor Jingxiang Low (Tianjin Polytechnic University & Monash University, Malaysia), Professor Hamdy F.M. Mohamed (Minia University, Egypt), Professor Zhenxiang Cheng (University of Wollongong, Australia), Professor Jiayue Xu (Shanghai Institute of Technology), Research Fellow Anhua Wu (Shanghai Institute of Ceramics, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Associate Research Fellow Chenyuan Hu (Huazhong University of Science and Technology), as well as Guoliang Fan, R&D Director, and Zhongxiong Li, Administrative Manager (LESSO Technology Development (Wuhan) Co., Ltd.).The conference featured brilliant presentations and lively academic discussions, showcasing the latest research achievements in the field of advanced functional materials. It provided insightful inspiration for the construction of IUR-A cooperation systems and models from a global perspective, and further promoted the disciplinary development of materials science at Wuhan Institute of Technology as well as the integrated development of IUR-A in advanced functional materials.

Academic Presentations by Attending Experts

To further deepen academic exchanges and cooperation, and enhance the academic attainments as well as scientific research and practical skills of graduate students, a Graduate Student Academic Poster Exhibition was also organized as part of this conference. A vibrant academic atmosphere prevailed at the exchange venue, where students demonstrated active thinking and engaged in frequent interactions. Experts and professors present provided meticulous guidance and valuable suggestions for various research topics. After careful evaluation of the posters by the experts and faculty members of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, the “Excellent Poster Award” and “Outstanding Poster Award” were selected and presented.

Poster Exhibition and Evaluation

This conference was hosted by Wuhan Institute of Technology and organized by the School of Materials Science and Engineering (Hubei Key Laboratory of Plasma Chemistry and Advanced Materials). A total of approximately 140 participants attended the conference, including 25 overseas and cross-border delegates.

Photo source: Rizwangul

Reviewed by: Jiang Xueliang & Gui Zhanpeng