Date: May 6, 2021

Source: Guangming Daily

Dear editor:

As an educator, I am a loyal reader of Guangming Daily. I read the series reports Industrialization of scientific and technological achievements and the column Breaking the four preferences  -- preferring academic papers, professional titles, diplomas and awards over actual contributions -- to promote the transformation of scientific and technological achievements in Guangming Daily. At present, universities and scientific research institutes across the country are facing the transformation of scientific and technological achievements and the deepening reform of the scientific research talent evaluation system. And how to establish the talent evaluation system after breaking the “four preferences”?  To deepen the reform and establish the evaluation system, we need a discussion on the theme of emancipating the mind and seeking truth from facts, reaching wide consensus to guide and promote scientific researchers to facilitate our country’s development with scientific minds. I think it is very necessary and timely for Guangming Daily to organize this discussion.

（JNU's President Song Xianzhong）

Jinan University has taken the lead in transforming scientific and technological achievements and reforming the system for evaluating scientific research talent. JNU has done a good job in high-quality management and service for the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, accumulated experience and practices, and achieved results. According to the 2020 Annual Report on China’s Transformation of Scientific and Technological Achievements, issued in April by the National Centre for Science and Technology Assessment, JNU ranks first among the top 10 universities in contract amount for transforming scientific and technological achievements through transferring, licensing and investing.

JNU has taken four measures to transform the scientific and technological achievements. It has expanded and strengthened the advantageous disciplines in combination with the school features. It has also strengthened the orientation of scientific and technological achievements transformation in performance appraisal, establishing a new academic evaluation system with “three categories”: teaching-oriented, teaching and scientific-oriented and research-oriented. It has honored the people and teams who transform scientific and technological achievements. And it has created new research-and-development institutions like local research institutes to meet the needs of local governments and enterprises, and to establish a platform for transformation of scientific and technological achievements combining enterprises, universities and research institutions.

As experts say, some universities and scientific research institutes lack awareness of carrying out high-quality management and helping researchers. If breaking the four preferences -- preferring academic papers, professional titles, diplomas and awards over actual contributions -- reflects breaking, then promoting the transformation of scientific and technological achievements means establishing a talent evaluation system.

The above reflects some of JNU's practical experience in the transformation of scientific and technological achievements, as well as some of my own opinions. I am writing to share them with readers all over the country through the platform of your newspaper. Let's contribute to the transformation of scientific and technological achievements and the reform of the scientific research talent evaluation system.

JNU President Song Xianzhong

April 29 , 2021