On May 16, the 2026 Annual Meeting of China’s University Aerospace School Deans Association opened with great ceremony at Jilin University’s Nanling Campus. Hosted by the College of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering of Jilin University, the meeting was convened under the theme “Aerospace Empowerment, Interdisciplinary Innovation, Distinctive Development, and Precision Talent Cultivation.” It brought together over 100 participants, including heads of aerospace schools and departments from universities across China, industry experts, and leading figures from research institutes and enterprises, to discuss disciplinary development, talent cultivation, scientific innovation, and industry‑university‑research integration.
The meeting featured keynote addresses by distinguished experts: Wang Guoqing, Researcher and Chief Information Officer at China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation; Wang Yongqing, Chief Expert at the Shenyang Aircraft Design Institute of Aviation Industry Corporation of China; Lü Jian, Dean of the College of Engineering at City University of Hong Kong; and Li Bin, Deputy Director of the Academy of Aerospace Propulsion Technology, China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. Professor Cai Lidong, Executive Vice President of Jilin University, delivered the opening remarks. Leaders from relevant administrative departments and schools of Jilin University also attended the opening ceremony, which was moderated by Professor Wu Wenzheng, Dean of the College of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.
In his opening address, Professor Cai Lidong extended a warm welcome to all participants. He emphasized that aerospace, as a strategically vital high‑technology field, is critical to China’s pursuit of technological self‑reliance and the cultivation of top‑notch innovative talents. He also highlighted the significance of the Deans Association for the development of aerospace disciplines at Jilin University. Leveraging its comprehensive disciplinary strengths and distinctive features in mechanical and aerospace engineering, Jilin University is committed to deepening collaboration with peer institutions and enterprises, building consensus, fostering friendship, and jointly advancing aerospace education and research across the country.
During the ceremony, Professor Cai presented commemorative plaques to the four keynote speakers.
During the keynote session, Mr. Wang Guoqing presented a comprehensive overview of space manufacturing, reviewing its current state, emerging trends, and forward-looking development strategies. Mr. Wang Yongqing shared valuable insights on aviation equipment technology development from a practical, operational perspective. Professor Lü Jian elaborated on how innovations in new materials are critically enabling the design and fabrication of aerospace systems. Mr. Li Bin delivered an in-depth technical analysis of the dynamic characteristics and stability of advanced propulsion systems. In addition, Professor Wu Wenzheng systematically introduced the progress and strategic plan for aerospace discipline development at Jilin University, highlighting the university's distinctive strengths and solid accomplishments in the aerospace field.
Two parallel sub‑forums were held, focusing on two core areas: disciplinary development and values‑oriented education.
The Deans’Roundtable, moderated by Professor Chen Chuanhai, Associate Dean of the College of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, featured presentations by Liang Weitao (Deputy Dean of the School of Aeronautic Science and Engineering, Beihang University), Tao Fei (Dean of the International Frontier Interdisciplinary Science Institute, Beihang University), Shen Shengping (Dean of the School of Aerospace Engineering and Deputy Director of the State Key Laboratory for Strength and Vibration of Mechanical Structures, Xi’an Jiaotong University), Fang Junwei (Deputy Chief Structural Engineer at the Shanghai Aircraft Design and Research Institute, COMAC), and Hu Min (Head of the Department of Astronautical Science and Technology, Space Engineering University).
The Forum on Value‑Based Education, moderated by Professor Zheng Fusheng, Party Secretary of the College of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, featured presentations by Yan Xiaofeng (Deputy Dean of the School of Aerospace Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology), Li Yujing (Deputy Dean of the School of Aerospace Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University), Liang Weitao (again, from Beihang University), and Chai Yuan (Deputy Dean and Associate Professor of the College of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Jilin University).
Participants engaged in in‑depth exchanges on critical topics including advanced manufacturing, aerospace propulsion, new materials, AI empowerment, interdisciplinary integration, and collaborative efforts in values‑oriented talent cultivation. The discussions addressed major national strategic needs and explored pathways for deeper industry‑university‑research integration, offering valuable suggestions for the high‑quality development of aerospace disciplines and talent cultivation.
This annual meeting created a high‑level exchange platform that facilitated resource sharing, complementary strengths, and collaborative innovation among universities, research institutes, and enterprises. It showcased the latest achievements in China’s aerospace higher education and research, while also building consensus and pooling strength for future disciplinary development and talent training. Looking ahead, aerospace schools and institutions across the country will continue to work hand in hand, driven by aerospace empowerment and interdisciplinary innovation, with the goal of distinctive development and precision talent cultivation, to make new and greater contributions to building China into a leading aerospace power and achieving high‑level scientific and technological self‑reliance.
