On August 6th, the High-End Forum for Deans of Control Disciplines, hosted by the College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering at Harbin Engineering University, took place in Harbin. The forum extended invitations to deans from prominent universities of China, including Tsinghua University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Beihang University, Beijing University of Science and Technology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Central South University, and China University of Geosciences. These deans attended the forum and delivered specialized presentations, focusing on the current status and challenges of control discipline development while analyzing future trends and directions.

In the morning, a consultation meeting on disciplinary construction was conducted. The meeting was presided over by ZHAO Yuxin, Assistant to the President of Harbin Engineering University and Dean of the College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering. ZHAO Yuxin introduced the purpose and significance of hosting the forum along with an overview of the College’s situation.

LIU Zhilin, Vice Dean of the College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering, outlined the fundamental principles behind revising the automation major curriculum and provided a detailed interpretation of the new course settings.

HUANG Yulong, Vice Dean of the College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering, offered an extensive introduction to the application process for the degree program in intelligent science and technology.

During the meeting, experts engaged in in-depth discussions on topics such as curriculum revisions for professional training and interdisciplinary reviews. They commended Harbin Engineering University’s new curriculum for the automation major, emphasizing its alignment with the goal of fostering students with moral, intellectual, physical, and aesthetic education. The experts expressed a desire for the university to maintain its maritime characteristics while adapting to the requirements of the new era. Suggestions for modifications were also proposed.

In the afternoon, a special report session for deans was held, chaired by ZHANG Yonggang, Executive Vice Dean of the School of Future Technology at Harbin Engineering University.

The session featured keynote speeches by prominent figures in the field:

Professor ZHANG Tao, Director of the Department of Automation at Tsinghua University, spoke on “The Development and Talent Cultivation of Automation Discipline in the Era of Intelligence”.

Professor LV Jinhu, Dean of the School of Automation Science and Electrical Engineering at Beihang University, addressed “Exploration and Practice of Talent Cultivation in the Integration of Defense-Specialized Science and Art, and Independent Innovation in Control Discipline”.

Professor XIA Yuanqing, Dean of the School of Automation at Beijing Institute of Technology, discussed “Exerting the Effectiveness of the Faculty in Cultivating First-Class Talents”.

Professor YANG Ming, Secretary of the Party Committee at University of Michigan-Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute, presented on “Constructing Highly Challenging Integrated Automation Professional Courses Based on International Experience and High-Level Abilities”.

Professor ZENG Zhigang, Dean of the School of Artificial Intelligence and Automation at Huazhong University of Science and Technology, shared thoughts on “Preliminary Thinking on Research and Construction of Artificial Intelligence”.

Professor YANG Chunhua, Dean of the School of Automation at Central South University, presented on “Thinking and Exploration on Cross-Innovation Talent Cultivation Model in Industrial Intelligence”.

Professor CHEN Xin, Vice Dean of the School of Automation/School of Future Technology at China University of Geosciences (Wuhan), focused on “Constructing a Talent Cultivation Model with Industry Characteristics Based on the Concept of ‘Practice-Innovation-Internationalization’”.

Professor ZHAO Yuxin, Assistant to the President of Harbin Engineering University and Dean of the College of Intelligent Systems Science and Engineering, reflected on “Reflections, Explorations, and Practices on School Management and Governance”.

The forum covered various aspects of control discipline development in the intelligent era, including talent cultivation, faculty effectiveness, interdisciplinary integration, curriculum construction, and innovation in the cultivation model of new engineering talents. It served as a high-level academic exchange platform for faculty and students in the control and intelligence fields, offering insights for the construction of school disciplines and pointing out directions for the development of the control discipline at the university.