Iris Cheung

A LANDMARK event in the field of chemistry, the JACS Innovation Summit themed “Pioneering the Future of Chemistry Facing Global Challenges,” was recently held at the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech).

Jointly organized by SUSTech and the ACS Publications, and hosted by the College of Science at SUSTech, the summit brought together a constellation of renowned experts, scholars, and editors to explore the future trajectory of chemistry and its role in solving global challenges.

The summit commenced with an opening ceremony graced by distinguished guests, including Yang Xueming, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and Sarah Tegen, senior vice president and chief publishing officer of the ACS Publications.

The ceremony was presided over by Yu Shuhong, also an academician of the CAS. Over 100 representatives from various universities and research institutes across China were in attendance.

In his opening address, Yang highlighted the robust partnership between SUSTech and the American Chemical Society (ACS), noting the fruitful outcomes of their collaborative endeavors. He underscored the importance of continued collaboration in talent development and scientific research, aiming to propel technological innovation for the betterment of humanity.

Tegen echoed these sentiments, expressing gratitude for SUSTech’s unwavering support of the ACS and acknowledging the university’s achievements. She envisioned the partnership as a catalyst for synergy, resource sharing, and expanded collaboration, which will drive scientific innovation.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between the ACS Publications and SUSTech at the ceremony.

The summit featured a series of keynote speeches by some of the most illustrious minds in chemistry. These experts shared their latest research findings and engaged in thoughtful exchanges with the audience.

In a bid to nurture the next generation of chemists, the summit introduced an academic poster sharing section, a first for the JACS Innovation Summit. This initiative provided a platform for young researchers from SUSTech and other universities to showcase their work.

The JACS Innovation Summit, a collaborative effort between the ACS Publications and various Chinese universities and research institutes, aims to spotlight groundbreaking achievements in chemistry.