Forging Ahead with Determination,

Striving for New Heights in the World-class University Initiative

By Fu Xuanguo, Secretary of CPC HNU Committee,

and Luo Qingming, HNU President

The year 2025 is approaching. We would like to extend our heartfelt New Year greetings and best wishes to each and every one of you!

In 2024, we have paid tribute to the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with hard-earned and encouraging accomplishments. Remarkable advance has been made in the “three major reforms” of complete credit system, collaborative innovation center and residential college; steady progress has been achieved in the digitally-empowered transformation and the “Model & Boost” Initiative for Party-building work. High-quality development is noticeable almost every day. Our vibrant campus, teeming with youthful energy and innovation, has become a place where creativity flourishes and excellence prevails. With unwavering determination, we have aligned our endeavors with the goals set forth at the third Hainan University Congress of the CPC. With full confidence, we are leveraging strengths, braving hardships and forging ahead.

Higher Quality, Greater Achievements

The growth of academic disciplines. From 2019 and 2022, HNU was the fastest-rising university across China in terms of the overall growth rate according to the Shanghai Ranking. In 2024, HNU’s 26 disciplines have entered the “Best Chinese Subjects” rankings, with the number of upgraded disciplines topping the list. Meanwhile, we have added four doctoral programs, bringing the total to 18, and eight disciplines are listed the global top 1% of ESI (Essential Science Indicators) rankings. These achievements make a steady upward trajectory, promising both short and long-term growth.

The increase of brilliant achievements. In 2024, we have ranked 36th and 1st respectively in the number of NSFC-funded projects and MOE publication grants for Philosophy & Social Sciences, and garnered a record number of provincial-level sci & tech awards. Other prestigious honors include the top award from at 49th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, 2nd prize in the National Science and Technology Progress Award, and 1st prize in the National Teaching Innovation Competition as well as the “National Advanced Team in the Education System”, “National Model Teacher” and 4 national-level “Model Sci-Tech Backyards”.

The formation of a talent magnet. In 2024, a total of 366 new high-caliber professionals, including professors and doctoral graduates have joined Hainan University, increasing our ranks of national-level experts to 75 and academic leaders to 87. A large batch of outstanding high school students have been enrolled in Hainan University, with over 70.46% of them among the top 10% in their respective provinces. The arrival of new talents, both faculty and students, energizes our academic community and consolidates our foundation for future growth.

Exciting Milestones, Encouraging Progress

A year of hard work and bumper harvest. Key infrastructure projects, including the Law Building, Zijing Student Dormitory Building 3, Marine Sci & Tech Building, Building A2 of Mission Hills Campus, and Pharmaceutical Science Building have been completed successively. Construction of other facilities, including the Collaborative Innovation Center, Academic Center at the Mansion Hills Campus and the HNU Nanyang Cultural Center, is well underway. Shared learning spaces are being built systematically and new-energy shuttles are providing efficient services on campus, and four new construction projects have kicked off simultaneously recently. Modern high-rise buildings have sprung up on what used to be tidal land.

A year of serving Hainan FTP and leveraging strengths. Guided by Hainan’s strategic priorities and based on its unique natural resources, we have focused on areas such as agriculture, marine science, ecology, healthcare, and aerospace, aligning academic disciplines with the demands of modern industries. The newly-established Hainan University Science Park, HSF Institute for Tropical Fruit & Vegetable Industry, and Hainan Institute of Technological Innovation for Blue Carbon Industry have yielded tangible benefits through knowledge transfer, closely integrating with the development of Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP).

A year of boosting international influence. We have hosted the 2nd International Forum on Dongpo Culture and the 2024 World Life Science Conference, organized the 9th National Biomedical Engineering Innovation Design Competition and the 2024 CPS Fall Meeting, convened the 6th annual meeting of its International Advisory Board, the 6th International Young Scholars Forum and the 1st National Forum for High School Principals and successfully obtained the hosting right for OCEANS 2026. Meanwhile, we have expanded the League of Tropical Universities worldwide and inaugurated the Confucius Institute at the Royal University of Agriculture in Cambodia. The Distinguished Scientist Lecture and the Luminaries Lecture in Humanities and Social Sciences have attracted a fully packed audience every time.

Deeper Reform, Greater Vitality

A wealth of benefits from reforms. Since the launch of the “three major reforms” in 2021, HNU has been in the mode of leapfrog development, embracing marked changes and unleashing new vitality. Over the past three years, reforms have ranged from “education and teaching” to “evaluation systems”, from “structural optimization” to “academic discipline reorganization”, and from “digital transformation” to “governance system upgrading”. An array of reforms and measures has redefined our academic and administrative landscape, creating a dynamic ecosystem for unprecedented development. Today, the faculty and students are more dedicated to their respective roles. Lead professors, chief instructors, and “little tutors” have helped students cultivate a keen interest in research and innovation.

Remarkable growth in both quality and quantity. Motivated by the “three major reforms”, our undergraduate students have delivered impressive performances: some published papers in top journals, four girls sharing one dormitory all received master’s program offers from leading universities, and a top-notch team gained the iGEM golden prizes for three years in a row. The number of prizes won in national-level academic competitions has increased 67% year-on-year, among which the first prizes have soared 90%. The ratio of students who secure jobs or receive offers from master’s programs before graduation has seen continued growth. A growing number of students have chosen to work in Hainan. As reforms have created the platforms for personalized and sustained development, the students are better primed to achieve their full potential.

Extraordinary contributions through diligence. “Growth is the result of forces working together.” HNUers have proved that persistent efforts can lead to extraordinary outcomes. First-year undergraduates Lin Shidong and Kuai Man have clinched world titles in table tennis. Teachers of different ages have made particular achievements with their expertise, like cultivating high-yield “colorful peanut” crops, becoming the go-to person for farmers, exploring the mysteries of attosecond laser, and conserving corals in the marine ranch.

All the achievements have shown that the “three major reforms” are full of vitality under the leadership of the CPC HNU Committee and with the concerted efforts of every HNU member. We are steadily marching toward our goal of becoming a world-class, research-oriented and internationalized “Double First-Class” university. This vision is not just a dream—it is a reality in the making, built on confidence, determination, and shared ambition.

Our confidence is nurtured by top-down support. President Xi Jinping’s instruction on “supporting Hainan University in developing world-class disciplines” inspires our endeavors, while the steadfast support of Hainan’s provincial leadership fuels our ambition. With the winds of opportunity at our backs, we are ready to chart a bold course forward, turning aspirations into achievements.

Our confidence is inspired by HNU spirit. Over the past 66 years, HNU has grown from humble origins to a thriving university. Despite all the changes, our commitment to serving the nation and keeping pace with the times has never changed. Every time we ring in a New Year, we are reminded of the enduring strength of the Hainan University spirit— a force that has navigated us through challenges and will continue to light our path as we strive for new progress.

Our confidence is boosted by strong solidarity. In September, Typhoon Yagi wreaked havoc on Hainan, including our campus. As we united to overcome the challenges, we witnessed the power of collective strength in battling against the disaster. With solidarity and determination, there is no challenge we cannot overcome. Together, we will reach new milestones and work new miracles.

As we embark on the journey of 2025, let us embrace new hopes and aspirations, remain steadfast in our mission, and stride forward with confidence. Together, we will scale new heights in our initiative to become a world-class university.

Wishing our great nation prosperity!

Wishing Hainan Free Trade Port sustained success!

Wishing everyone a joyful and fruitful 2025!

Source from HNU News

Transalted by Han Yunsheng

Proofread by Kuang Xiaowen, Yang Jie