Author:Li Weimiao, Zeng Xiaotao, Chen Zhehong

Publisher: JNU News Center  

Date: October 21, 2024

On October 21, Jinan University held an unveiling ceremony for its newly established Key Laboratory of Big Data and International Communication at the auditorium of the School of Journalism and Communication on the Panyu Campus. Recently recognized as a Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Philosophy and Social Sciences, this facility builds on the foundation of the university's Computational Communication Research Center and integrates resources from multiple disciplines, including journalism, information science, international relations, and foreign languages. The laboratory aims to advance research in big data and international communication while addressing national strategic needs.

(At the unveiling ceremony)

The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Li Yihang, Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Chairman of the Guangdong Federation of Social Sciences; Lin Rupeng, Secretary of the Party Committee of Jinan University and Director of the Key Laboratory; Li Hanmin, Office Director of the Guangdong Federation of Social Sciences; and Zhang Xiaoxin, Vice President of Jinan University. Experts and leaders from various universities, including Renmin University of China and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies, were also present. Zhang Xiaoxin presided over the event.

In his address, Li Yihang emphasized the laboratory's establishment as a significant milestone for the development of humanities and social sciences at Jinan University. He highlighted its potential to enhance original innovation, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and utilize digitalization to support decision-making. Li expressed hope that the laboratory would carve out a path for high-quality development, providing valuable insights for the Party, the nation, and Guangdong's international communication initiatives. He assured that the Provincial Federation of Social Sciences would offer comprehensive support to help the laboratory achieve national recognition.

Lin Rupeng outlined Jinan University's unique role as a leading institution for overseas Chinese education, stressing the importance of the new laboratory in meeting national strategic communication needs. He outlined a vision for the laboratory to set benchmarks for international communication research, focusing on theoretical research, technological innovation, consulting support, and platform development. Lin expressed confidence that the laboratory would contribute significantly to the advancement of philosophy and social sciences in Guangdong and beyond.

Li Hanmin announced the official approval of the Key Laboratory, further solidifying its status within the province. Lin Zhongxuan, Executive Vice Director of the Computational Communication Research Center and Vice Dean of the School of Journalism and Communication, shared plans for the laboratory's future, which include enhancing technological research and developing an innovative communication theory framework.

The unveiling concluded with a collaborative plaque unveiling by Li Yihang, Lin Rupeng, Li Hanmin, Zhang Xiaoxin, and other distinguished guests.

Following the ceremony, Li Yihang delivered a special report addressing key questions surrounding international communication, discussing current challenges and strategies for leveraging big data in this field. The event also featured a forum titled Big Data and International Communication Innovation, with keynote speeches from various deans and experts in journalism and communication, focusing on innovative approaches to enhance international communication efforts.