Chapter 62 College student—"Idol" Yaqin

Premier Wen Jiabao pointed out in his 2009 Teacher's Day speech "a century-old plan, teachers-oriented" that "in the final analysis, the reform and development of colleges and universities is to produce more top-notch talents, first-class talents, and innovative talents." Progress is visible to all the world.As a leader of a research and development group, Zhang Yaqin has been thinking about the current situation and future of China's education. He believes that China's education in the next 30 years will be completely different from that in the past 60 years. Education and scientific research will determine China's future.To shorten the gap in scientific and technological strength between China and developed countries in Europe and the United States, it is necessary to cultivate leaders with a global background and "ideological leaders", so as to lead China's scientific and technological innovation to a higher level.

As early as the end of the 1990s, the Microsoft China Research Institute launched a series of assistance programs and activities for universities and scientific research institutions, providing teachers, students and scholars in universities and scientific research institutions with Microsoft technology and products. Funding and scientific and technological assistance, while introducing the latest research results of Microsoft Research Asia to universities and scientific research institutions.Specifically include: technical lectures and exchanges of scientific research results, curriculum construction, software and data donations, joint laboratories, summer technical training courses, sponsorship of academic activities in universities, Microsoft Scholars Scholarship Program, and joint research with the Information Science Department of the National Natural Science Foundation of China. The basic research projects of the Natural Science Foundation of China carry out funding plans, etc.

In just over a year after the establishment of the Institute, the Institute organized more than 90 technical exchanges and lectures of various types, with more than 50,000 participants; donated more than 2,500 yuan to dozens of universities in China The latest Microsoft software worth RMB 10,000; in cooperation with Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University and Harbin Institute of Technology, the "Microsoft-Tsinghua Multimedia Laboratory", "Microsoft-Zhejiang University Visual Perception Laboratory" and "Microsoft-Harbin Institute of Technology Machine Translation Laboratory" were established .

Zhang Yaqin himself also enjoyed the process of returning to campus to communicate with college students.Every time he goes to a university to give a speech, he prepares very carefully and makes corresponding arrangements according to the characteristics of each university.His own experience at USTC, George Washington University, GTE, Sanafort and Microsoft made him understand that the reason why a student becomes a talent requires mentors with excellent professionalism and character to guide him every step of the way.Zhang Yaqin, who is experienced and capable, is willing to share his experience with Chinese students.

Every member of the University of Science and Technology of China has a deep affection for the water lecture hall of the University of Science and Technology of China. Whenever a master comes to the University of Science and Technology of China, the school will organize lectures here.Zhang Yaqin was also a frequent visitor here when he was in school.He still clearly remembers Hawking, the "father of black hole theory", and a lecture given by a Japanese Nobel Prize winner in chemistry in the water lecture hall. "I remember Hawking because this scientist almost challenged the limit of human intelligence and physical strength. I remember the Japanese chemist because I don't know chemistry, let alone Japanese. At that time, without an interpreter, all the classmates in the lecture hall were empty. After leaving, they applauded non-stop. The thirst for knowledge of HKUST students can be seen.” Recalling the scene of occupying a seat to listen to the report 30 years ago, Zhang Yaqin still feels unsatisfied.

After more than ten years away from his alma mater, Zhang Yaqin also stood on the podium in the lecture hall as the chief scientist of Microsoft China Research Institute.It was also the first school he visited after returning to China.As soon as he entered the lecture hall, he found that after so many years, the style of lectures held by the University of Science and Technology of China was still the same as yesterday—the entire lecture hall was crowded, and many students sat on the floor in the aisle.Because too many students wanted to come in to see this "prodigy" alumnus, even the thick glass door of the lecture hall was crushed.Faced with this situation, Zhang Yaqin said that he was more moved than apprehensive: "I feel that I have not done enough. The needs of the students are very urgent. In fact, I should do better."

Zhang Yaqin spent his time at the University of Science and Technology of China from the age of 12 to 19. In 1999, 13 years after leaving his alma mater, Zhang Yaqin revisited USTC. Accompanying Zhang Yaqin at that time was Chen Honggang, then senior manager of business and university relations at Microsoft China Research Institute.Today, when talking about the scene of going to HKUST, he is still full of emotion: "Everything Yaqin does and every suggestion he makes can make everyone deeply feel that he loves the school and loves the school from the bottom of his heart. student."

Although he is already a "mythical" figure in the minds of the students, Zhang Yaqin does not want his "genius" light to mislead everyone. He said: "The intellectual gap between the vast majority of people is actually insignificant. It is how to make good use of your intelligence. Now is an era of great change and development. College students are not only facing pressure, but also have too many unprecedented opportunities. Students must be good at seizing opportunities. I hope that everyone not only has a sense of the unknown Curiosity, a passion for constant exploration, but also a down-to-earth foundation. The most important thing is to cultivate your own tenacity.”

Just as Liang Qichao said in the book: If the young are wise, the country will be wise, if the young are rich, the country will be rich, and if the young are strong, the country will be strong.Zhang Yaqin believes that in order to shorten the gap in scientific and technological strength between China and developed countries in Europe and the United States, it is necessary to cultivate leaders with a global background and "ideological leaders", so as to lead China's technological innovation to a higher level. When they entered the Junior Class of the University of Science and Technology of China, these little prodigies studied for a year before deciding on their future majors, but now "many teachers and parents attach great importance to the employment of this major when guiding their children to choose their majors. Opportunities and the level of future salary, it is difficult for students to choose according to their interests." What is a university?Universities must have educated scholars, and Chinese education needs real educators and masters.Universities are a paradise for ideas to gallop, and scholars should devote themselves to research for the true academic ideal.This process is very difficult and painful, but compared with the happiness gained after success, the process of challenge is nothing to worry about.

Professor Kao's winning of the Nobel Prize brought Zhang Yaqin a lot of thinking: When Professor Kao was researching optical fibers, he never thought of winning the Nobel Prize or applying for a patent. He did research entirely according to his own interests.Only in this way can we make truly valuable research.In the final analysis, a nation cannot live without dreams. So far, recalling his 8 years of life in USTC, Zhang Yaqin will always have a hazy, warm pale yellow tone in his heart—it was the 80s full of passion, and it was the 1980s when dreams led to reality.When PhDs in physics switch to Wall Street to do hedging models, the country needs to have an open vision and a long-term mentality to cultivate a hotbed of national innovation.With correct ideals and values, a good system and mechanism, coupled with a long-term mentality and an open vision, China's scientific and technological strength will definitely become stronger and stronger.In the future global competition, the strength of science and technology determines the future of a country, and whether it wins or not is of secondary importance.