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15 Jun 2020

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54th Fudan Science Conference in review

Scholars of multiple disciplines convene on hot topics such as COVID-19, AI and climate action.

On May 27, the 54th Fudan Science Conference was streamed online as a part of the celebration of the 115th anniversary of Fudan University.

For this annual Fudan Science Conference, scholars from different disciplines are invited to share their insights with the rest of the Fudan community. This year, due to the pandemic, the lectures were pre-recorded and streamed online for everyone to watch.

The tradition of Fudan Science Conference can be traced back to the year 1954. The then university President, Chen Wangdao, proposed that the University’s anniversary celebration should focus on promoting scientific research and sharing of knowledge. Ever since, Fudan Science Conference has been included as a part of the university’s anniversary celebration events. 

In 2009, a series of academic lectures and seminars were added in late May to usher in the grand celebration of Fudan’s anniversary day on May 27. It has become a tradition ever since. This year, a total of more than 100 such academic activities were held.

Here we offer you a synopsis of some of the lectures at this year’s Fudan Science Conference.


Professors Zhang Wenhong: Adapting to the New Normal After COVID-19

Professor Zhang Wenhong, director of Infectious Diseases Department of Huashan Hospital, started his lecture by briefing China’s policy responses to the pandemic. He stressed that China’s responses, apart from marshalling nationwide medics, also involved mobilizing community workers, educating the public about COVID-19 and cooperating with overseas organizations and individuals.  

He was impressed by the bravery and hard work of young people amid the fight. “ People of all ages, as they are weaved into the social fabric, have played critical roles,” said he.

Zhang observed that due to the wide disparities in wealth and cultural traditions between different regions, different coping strategies had been taken which led to varying effectiveness of the virus control. He reminded the audience that the coronavirus knows no border, which means all the countries are on the same boat. 

Zhang warned that people might have to live with the “new normal” after the coronavirus shock. On one hand, the economy must be rebooted after the long pause, while on the other, safeguarding public health against the coronavirus remains a top priority.

“Right now it is still full of uncertainties. We are in the dark as for how much longer the virus will be around or whether it will come back stronger in winter. Despite that, it is safe to say that the lessons we learned from the first wave of the outbreak will be useful in the possible second,” said Zhang. 


Professor Feng Jianfeng: Towards Brain-Inspired Artificial Intelligence 

“We have our one-of-a-kind vision of brain-inspired intelligence, which we call ABC-Brain. A refers to artificial brain, B refers to biological brain and C refers to collective brain meaning the brain of a group of people, which is important as humans are social animals,” said Professor Feng Jianfeng from the Institute of Science and Technology for Brain-Inspired Intelligence.

Feng’s team has developed mathematical theories and methods for correlational and causal research when studying the brain, but there is still the challenge of how to obtain the data they need. “To see the brain clearly and thoroughly, we need some help from machines,” said Feng. By machines, he was referring to Connectom 3T MRI scanner, Terra 7T human MRI scanner and BioSpec 11.7T animal MRI scanner at Zhangjiang International Brain Imaging Center, one of the most advanced of its kind in Asia established in 2019. The Center is located at Zhangjiang Campus of Fudan University.

Feng’s team has also been working to apply artificial brains to gait recognition. “With gait recognition, we can tell who you are based on the way you walk. By making the most of the brain structures in both left and right hemispheres, our gait recognition system achieved 95% accuracy, ranking the first in the world at the time.”

Talking about his team’s research on brain simulation in recent years, Feng said, “It will take a long time before we can truly replicate an entire brain and its working mechanism, but our efforts are expected to inspire the next generation of artificial intelligence.” 


Professor Wu Libo: Taking Climate Action and Achieving Sustainable Transitions

“We must make concerted efforts and create the roadmap for future global climate action based on our experience gained during this pandemic,” said Professor Wu Libo, director of the Center for Energy Economics and Strategies Studies at Fudan University. 

Wu shared her reflections on the possibility of a global environmental crisis amid the pandemic. According to Wu, the virus has caused the halt of socioeconomic activities and the sharp decline in energy consumption, leading to a significant decrease in the global pollutant concentration, an unexpected benefit from the pandemic. 

She warned people of a rebound in environmental pollution following economic recovery. “The world must achieve sustainable transitions to better respond to COVID-19 and possible global environmental crises”, said Wu.

Given the uncertainties in global climate action, Wu believed that while strengthening cross-national coordination and cooperation, countries should make local efforts to produce synergistic effects and guarantee sustainable transitions on the site.

“With the pandemic still challenging the world, should we take this opportunity to accelerate global climate action?” asked Wu. She then explained how climate policies can benefit emission reduction, human health, poverty alleviation, income redistribution and employment. She also stressed that the efforts made by major developing countries like China could mark a crucial step in the global response to climate change. “Other developing countries can learn from China’s actions. The world also needs the participation of China for its sustainable transitions,” said Wu. 


Editor: Deng Jianguo, Li Yijie

Author:Zhou BingqianEditor:Photograph:Illustrator: