On the afternoon of June 3, the School of Earth Sciences and Engineering held an exchange symposium for newly appointed young faculty members in the AD16 meeting room. Organized by the School’s Labor Union, the symposium was intended to help newly appointed young faculty members become familiar with the School’s development environment, gain a deeper understanding of policies on assessment and promotion for tenure-track positions, strengthen communication among young faculty members, and promote interdisciplinary integration and collaborative innovation. Dong Ting, Secretary of the School Party Committee; Chen Tianyu, Dean of the School; Gu Kai, Chair of the School Labor Union; and Liu Yiting, Director of Nanjing University’s Talent Recruitment Office, attended the meeting. Nearly 30 newly appointed young faculty members also took part in the exchange.
The symposium focused on topics including applications for talent programs, School management and services, and young faculty career development. Through policy briefings, experience sharing and interactive discussions, the event provided answers to questions, practical support and guidance for newly appointed faculty members.
Scene of the exchange symposium for newly appointed young faculty
First, Liu Yiting, Director of Nanjing University’s Talent Recruitment Office, delivered a special report. She gave a systematic introduction to the application policies, procedures and key points for talent programs at different levels and of various types, and offered detailed explanations on issues of common concern to young faculty members, providing targeted guidance for future applications. She suggested that young faculty members plan their career development paths based on their current career stage and disciplinary strengths, identify talent programs that best fit their profiles, and actively serve as bridges and links in support of the University’s talent recruitment efforts.
Director Liu Yiting delivers a special report
Subsequently, Yan Hao, a tenure-track associate professor, shared his experience applying for the Original Exploration Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. Drawing on his own application process, he offered an in-depth explanation of how to refine scientific questions, identify innovative elements, prepare proposals and understand the review process, providing useful insights for young faculty members as they pursue original and leading research.
Tenure-track Associate Professor Yan Hao shares his experience
In the third session, Secretary Dong Ting introduced in detail the construction of the School’s management and service system and responded to questions from young faculty members concerning teaching, research and career development. She emphasized that young faculty members should actively integrate into the School’s overall development, understand and support its management and service work, attach great importance to undergraduate education and postgraduate supervision, and uphold the fundamental mission of fostering virtue through education. She pointed out that talent cultivation has always been an important responsibility and fine tradition of the School, and that cultivating outstanding talent for the country and the University and striving to build a first-class discipline are both the School’s mission and driving force. She expressed the hope that young faculty members would maintain a strong sense of responsibility and ambition, stay committed to both education and research innovation, and realize personal growth and value while serving national strategic needs and advancing disciplinary development.
Secretary Dong Ting explains the School’s management and service work
Dean Chen Tianyu, drawing on the School’s development plan and the needs of discipline development, offered his expectations for young faculty members. He encouraged them to stand at the frontiers of their disciplines, grasp trends in scientific and technological development, fully leverage the School’s strengths in multidisciplinary integration, be bold in innovation, actively explore uncharted areas of research, and strive to produce original outcomes with international impact. He also provided detailed answers to questions of common concern regarding assessment and promotion for tenure-track positions.
Dean Chen Tianyu addresses the newly appointed young faculty
During the discussion session, the newly appointed faculty members introduced themselves in turn, shared their research directions and work experiences since joining the School, and offered constructive suggestions on scientific collaboration, platform development, talent cultivation and the School’s future development. The atmosphere was lively, and the participants engaged in full and open exchange, further deepening mutual understanding and laying a solid foundation for future interdisciplinary collaboration.
The symposium served as an important platform for communication between the School and its young faculty members. It helped newly appointed faculty members gain a deeper understanding of relevant University and School policies, while strengthening their sense of belonging, identity and mission. The School will continue to pay close attention to the development needs of young faculty members, further improve service and support mechanisms, optimize the development environment, create better conditions for young talent to grow and thrive, and inject new vitality into the high-quality development of the School.
Group photo of participants
