In the days leading up to the new academic year, Luo Qingming, CAS member and HNU president, finds himself exceptionally busy. Besides managing the day-to-day operations of the university, he actively participates in various industry-university-research (IUR) integration events in Hainan, including the recently-concluded 9th National Biomedical Engineering Innovation Design Competition, which drew nearly 10,000 contestants and over 3,000 projects from 250 universities nationwide. To ensure its success, Luo personally participated in and presided over the event.

“One’s fate is always intertwined with the tide of the times. We must stand firm with a vision for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and become aware of the unprecedented changes in the world. We should keep the nation’s priorities in mind and heed the call of the times.” Luo often encourages students in this way. Over the years, he hasn’t just talked the talk—he’s walked the walk. Despite the demanding nature of his position, Luo has remained deeply involved in teaching and research, dedicating himself to nurturing talent and contributing to the development of Hainan.

From Humble Origins to Distinguished Scientist

Born in 1966 into a rural family in Qichun County, Hubei Province, Luo Qingming developed a resilient spirit and a determination to excel. Qichun’s rich cultural heritage subtly influenced Luo during his formative years, helping him grow into an avid reader and a science enthusiast.

In 1982, Luo, aged 16, was admitted to the Department of Technical Physics at Northwest Institute of Telecommunications Engineering (currently known as Xidian University) for his outstanding academic performance. After obtaining his bachelor’s degree, he furthered his studies at Huazhong University of Science and Technology (HUST), where he earned a master’s degree in optics and later a Ph.D. in physical electronics and optoelectronics. It was in those years that Luo developed a deep connection with HUST, which inspired his full devotion to the pioneering research in optoelectronics.

After obtaining his Ph.D., Luo worked as a postdoctoral research fellow abroad. During that period, he was deeply impressed by the cutting-edge research in the interdisciplinary field of information optoelectronics and biomedical sciences. This experience sparked his keen interest in biomedical photonics, a field he decided to devote himself to for the rest of his career. In 1997, Luo returned to HUST as a faculty member.

In the following years, Luo rose from a lecturer to a full professor, assuming successively the positions of the Director of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Dean of the College of Life Science and Technology, and later Vice President of HUST. His research primarily focused on using biomedical photonics to reveal the mysteries of the brain.

Luo’s unwavering commitment and determination have been pivotal in transforming a little-known interdisciplinary research group into a world-renowned one. Over the past 20 plus years, his team has achieved multiple leading advances in brain science and technology domestically and internationally.

Reflecting on his journey, Luo acknowledges the countless challenges and setbacks he has encountered. “The brain’s texture is as soft as tofu, making it extremely challenging to fix brain samples and label the nerves and blood vessels within them. It took us three years just to prepare a standard brain sample,” he said.

Luo’s perseverance has yielded significant results, earning him the National Technological Invention Award (Second Prize) and the National Natural Science Award (Second Prize).

Solidifying the Foundation for Development Through Talent Acquisition

In 2018, China’s central government decided to support Hainan to grow into a Free Trade Zone. To push forward the development of Hainan University, Hainan provincial government launched a global search for top talent, and Luo Qingming was among those invited. After careful consideration, he embraced the challenge, taking up the position of the President of Hainan University.

“Once you join Hainan University, you become a Hainanese,” said Luo, who had seldom travelled to Hainan before, immersed himself fully in the university’s educational and administrative work. Colleagues describe him as a “workaholic”, constantly seen at a meeting, in the office or the laboratory.

Luo understands that a world-class faculty is essential for a great university to produce outstanding talent. Since the day he joined Hainan University, he has been committed to talent acquisition and education reform.

Recognizing the need to bolster high-caliber talent recruitment, Luo aimed to position HNU as a talent pool for the Hainan FTP. Since 2018, HNU has recruited 1,602 high-level professionals with doctoral degrees, increasing the number of full-time faculty members to 2,967—a 50% increase from 2017. The number of faculty with doctoral degrees has tripled, and the number of national-level talents, including academicians, has grown from 4 to 68. New recruits now constitute more than half of the full-time faculty, which has remarkably invigorated the university’s research and innovation capabilities. In 2023, HNU secured the funding for 271 National Natural Science Foundation projects.

One noteworthy example is Wang Xianpeng, who joined Hainan University as a faculty member after completing his postdoctoral studies at Singapore Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in 2016. Within just eight years, Wang rose from an ordinary teacher to the Dean of the School of Information and Communication Engineering. Reflecting on his experience, Wang noted, “Hainan University has formulated a host of talent recruitment policies. Initially, there weren’t many high-level professionals, but with personalized and tailored recruitment strategies, the university has become a talent magnet.”

Wang is particularly impressed by the HNU’s “professor governance” system, which empowers research experts to play an active role in education and management. “Hainan University provides a broad platform for those eager to contribute, converting their passion for learning and work into a powerful drive for overcoming challenges and achieving success,” noted Wang.

Additionally, Hainan University has implemented a mechanism under which research team leaders mentor new faculty members, providing them with expert guidance and a solid research platform from Day 1. “This talent nurturing model helps new teachers start their research immediately, significantly shortening the time frame required for their professional development,” said Professor Tian Xinlong, Deputy Dean of the School of Marine Science and Engineering.

“Each student is unique as a result of different backgrounds, experiences, and interests. Personalization is the top priority of higher education,” Luo asserted. To this end, he advocates for innovative reforms in talent training, such as the modern residential college system, which features specialized mentorship, diverse dormitory functions, and enriched extracurricular activities. Zheng Xiangyu, a 2024 graduate of International Economics and Trade, is one of the beneficiaries of this reform. He and his like-minded peers from different disciplines regularly participate in various study and research activities organized by the residential college, particularly field studies, which have greatly enhanced his practical skills.

Distinctive Education Models that Meet the Demands of Hainan FTP

A university flourishes because of the city, and a city thrives because of the university. Luo Qingming believes that to fully support the development of the Hainan FTP, HNU must address the pressing sci-tech challenges facing the national strategy implementation and local economic and social development. Only in this way can Hainan maximize its advantages in natural conditions, geographical location, favorable policies and application scenarios.

HNU has established seven collaborative innovation centers focusing on the areas such as seed breeding and high-yield tropical agriculture, marine science and technology, free trade port development and institutional innovation, and culture and tourism.

As President, Luo has set up a few research institutes that serve the needs of local socio-economic development. To promote their fast growth, he is actively involved in the organization and operation of high-impact projects and events.

“Today, Hainan University’s research system spans island-wide in support of the construction of Hainan FTP. For instance, we have established research platforms in Sanya focusing on seed breeding and biomedical sciences, a research institute in Ding’an focusing on food and materials science, and another in Wenchang on green aquaculture. Besides, Hainan University has set up a few “science and technology backyards” across the province”, said the Head of School of Breeding and Multiplication of HNU (Sanya Institute of Breeding and Multiplication).

With the establishment of numerous “large teams” and “large platforms,” as well as the undertaking of “large projects”, Hainan University is steadily producing “impactful outcomes”, providing innovation momentum for the development of the Hainan FTP.

“Looking ahead, under the strong leadership of the CPC HNU Committee, Hainan University will adhere to the development philosophy of ‘seeking platform-driven growth, highlighting special characteristics, attracting top talent, opening up and making innovations.’ Through three major reforms, namely ‘complete credit system, collaborative innovation center and residential college,’ we will strive to build Hainan University into a world-class institution of higher education,” Luo stated.

Source from Economic Daily

Translated by Han Yunsheng

Proofread by Kuang Xiaowen, Yang Jie