On April 8, the School of Engineering and Jingyi College held the opening ceremony of the 2026 "Eaton Cup" Science and Technology Innovation Festival at the Library Lecture Hall of the Sangpu Mountain Campus. The event aimed to cultivate students’ interdisciplinary innovation ability and practical spirit, promote interdisciplinary integration, and deepen the development of the "Blue School" and "Blue College".

Academician Wang Quan, Executive President of Shantou University, Academician Shen Shuilong, Dean of the School of Engineering, Lu Zhuobin, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Engineering, and Zhang Guihua, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Dean of Jingyi College attended the ceremony. The opening ceremony was presided over by Zhang Kailiang, person in charge of the Youth League Committee of the School of Engineering and the General Office of Jingyi College.

At the beginning, Lu Zhuobin, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of Engineering, delivered an opening speech. On behalf of the school, he extended welcome and gratitude to all teachers and students, reviewed the achievements in talent cultivation and scientific research innovation, and put forward four expectations for students: to keep in mind the "national priorities" and act as doers dedicated to serving the country through science and technology; to dare to "integrate intelligence and break boundaries" and become innovators of interdisciplinary integration; to cultivate the "craftsman spirit" and be down-to-earth doers; to foster the "spirit of collaboration" and work together as concerted partners.

The review video of the 2025 "Eaton Cup" Science and Technology Innovation Festival was played on site, showcasing a series of works including intelligent cars and structural mechanics projects created by students. These wonderful moments fully demonstrated students’ growth and progress, reflecting the diligent spirit of the School of Engineering and Jingyi College in fostering talent through scientific and technological innovation.

Zhang Kailiang introduced the schedule of the 2026 "Eaton Cup" Science and Technology Innovation Festival. This year’s festival consists of five major sections: professional competitions, the "Scientific Research Navigation Action" series of themed lectures, innovation competition training camps, scientific and technological volunteer services, and a panoramic exhibition of scientific and technological innovation practices and achievements. It provides a platform for exhibition and communication for all teachers and students of the university, and promotes the transformation and application of scientific and technological innovation achievements.

Concurrently with the opening ceremony, the 6th "Scientific Spirit and Practice" Lecture and the 14th "Scientific Research Navigation Action" were held. Academician Wang Quan, Executive President of Shantou University, delivered a sharing session entitled On Great Learning — Understanding the External World and the Inner Self. Starting from "what great learning is", Wang pointed out that great learning includes both understanding the laws and essence of the external world and recognizing one’s inner self-worth, beauty and goodness, through which one attains the truth of wisdom. He then elaborated on the three values of great learning: practical value, cultural value and spiritual value, as well as three reflections it brings: the need for independent and free insights and original ideas; changing the way and perspective of understanding the world, emphasizing the role of the mind and intellect in scientific exploration; and cultivating a wise heart to treat the world and oneself, guiding teachers and students to approach knowledge with humility and critical thinking. At the end of the lecture, Wang encouraged teachers and students to develop excellent learning habits and unique methodologies, to continuously explore nature and the world, and to pursue freedom and supreme goodness.

The opening ceremony marked the launch of the 2026 "Eaton Cup" Science and Technology Innovation Festival. The School of Engineering and Jingyi College will continue to carry out various forms of scientific and technological innovation activities to stimulate students’ innovation awareness, cultivate their creative spirit, enhance their hands-on practical ability, and lay a solid foundation for scientific and technological innovation and science popularization.

Text & Photos: Wen Rui