On October 5, the “Symposium on Jointly Promoting Research on Historical Science by Research Institutes and Universities” was held at Conference Room 101, East Yewu Building on Jinnan Campus, in a bid to foster cooperation and exchanges between research institutes and universities and to promote the development of history discipline. The conference is one of the activities in celebration of the centenary of Nankai University’s Faculty of History. Approximately 30 leaders, experts and scholars from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, Tsinghua University and other institutions attended the conference. Professor Jiang Pei of the Faculty of History of Nankai University moderated the symposium.
The conference began at 15:00, as scheduled. Professor Liang Qi, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Nankai University; researcher Lu Yusong, Secretary of the Discipline Inspection Commission and Vice President of the Chinese Academy of History; and Professor Yu Xinzhong, Dean of the Faculty of History of Nankai University, delivered speeches successively.
Liang Qi extended a welcome to the guests and wished the conference a complete success. He said that the history discipline has been a competitive discipline of Nankai University, which has become an important and outstanding world-renowned center for the study of historical science over the past century. The Chinese Academy of Social Sciences is the supreme academic institution and comprehensive research center for philosophy and social science study in China, playing an exemplary and leading role in deepening historical science reform and advancing academic innovation. Care, guidance and assistance from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and other research institutes have been essential for Nankai University’s progress in historical science. It is expected that research institutes and universities will strengthen exchanges and cooperation through this symposium to promote research on historical science, and advance the development of history discipline and the high-quality development of higher education in China.
Lu Yusong spoke highly of Nankai University’s achievements in the history discipline. She said that the Faculty of History of Nankai University has kept to the motto of “seeking the true and new, and applying knowledge to application” and the philosophy of “knowing China” and “serving China”, and has produced a great many historical talents excellent in character and learning, contributing to the flourishing development of historical science research. The new era raises higher demand for the development of China’s historical science, and win-win cooperation is a key issue in this process. To foster cooperation among universities, it is necessary to comprehend General Secretary Xi Jinping’s expositions on philosophy and social sciences as well as historical science, and produce talents for the Party and the country. It is also necessary to pool the research strength of research institutes and universities nationwide, and enhance the research level and innovation capability, contributing to Chinese-style modernization and the modern civilization of China.
Yu Xinzhong recalled the opportunity to organize the conference and expressed gratitude to the participants. Yu expressed the hope that the rare opportunity of the centenary would be used to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with research institutions and universities and jointly promote the development of China’s history discipline.
The guests centered the discussions on the theme of university cooperation and the construction of history discipline. Researcher Bu Xianqun, Director of the Institute of Ancient History of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS); researcher Xia Chuntao, Director of the Institute of Modern History of the CASS; researcher Yang Yanqiu, Secretary of the Party committee and Director of the Institute of Historical Theory of the CASS; researcher Luo Wendong, Secretary of the Party committee and Deputy Director of the Institute of World History of the CASS; researcher Li Zhenghua, Deputy Director of the Institute of Contemporary China Studies of the CASS; researcher Guan Xiaowu, Deputy Director of the Institute for History of Natural Sciences of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and other leaders and experts expressed their views at the conference.
Bu Xianqun said that the Institute of Ancient History has a long history of cooperation with Nankai University in historical science. The relationship between historical science and politics has always deserved our consideration. In today’s research on historical science, it is still necessary to differentiate and discuss the definition of connotation and scope of some basic concepts in historical science, such as “dynasty” and “empire”.
Xia Chuntao said that historical research in the new era calls for closer cooperation among universities. In terms of the development of historical science today, the old historical foundations such as traditional study of Confucian classics and xiaoxue (or minor arts) have declined, and historical theories are also lacking. There is broad space and bright prospect for cooperation among research institutes and universities in the establishment of the three major systems: history discipline system, academic system and discourse system.
Yang Yanqiu recalled her school days at Nankai University. She said that the characteristics of Chinese and foreign integration, as well as ancient and modern fusion for Nankai University’s history discipline have something in common with the study of historical theory. Today’s historical science in China faces challenges from the establishment of an independent knowledge system of historical science. Universities should carry out cooperation in the face of the challenge. The new era offers broad prospects for historical science. We should pay attention to academic inheritance and originality of theory, answer Chinese questions with Chinese theory, and highlight the world value of China’s historical science. The Institute of Historical Theory is ready to work with the Faculty of History of Nankai University to contribute to the establishment of China’s historical science theory and the construction of an independent knowledge system for historical science.
Luo Wendong congratulated on the centenary of Nankai University’s history discipline. He said that compared with Chinese history and archaeology, China has a weak foundation in world history discipline as well as uneven development. Nankai University has a long track record of offering world history discipline, and is at an advantage for interdisciplinary development. Strengthening cooperation and exchanges among universities plays an important role in the interdisciplinary development of China’s world history discipline and the development of regional and national history discipline.
Li Zhenghua said that the Institute of Contemporary China Studies has worked with young Chinese scholars studying national history to hold academic events such as the Youth Forum on National History and the Lecture on National History. National history is essentially historical science. It is recommended that Nankai University strengthen its research strength in historical science, build relevant data databases, and even promote cooperation among institutions.
Guan Xiaowu said that there is a lack of data sharing platforms in the academic circles, and proposed the establishment of a platform for integrated sharing of scientific research results, in order to support the history of science and technology as well as the development of historical discipline. In terms of the cultivation of history researchers, it is necessary to innovate existing methods and cultivate researchers engaged in historical science study.
Professor Huang Yang, Dean of the Department of History of Fudan University; Professor Zhang Sheng, Dean of the School of History of Nanjing University; Professor Zhu Hu, Dean of the School of History of Renmin University of China; Professor A Feng, Secretary of the Department of History of Tsinghua University; and Professor Wang Qisheng, Dean of the Department of History of Peking University, participated in discussions and made constructive opinions on the cooperation among universities in historical science research, database construction, student training, etc. Professor Zhang Baichun, Director of Nankai University Research Center for the History of Science and Technology, thanked Nankai University for its support to the research on the history of science and technology, and hoped to strengthen exchanges with universities and colleges in the research on the history of science and technology as well as introduction and cultivation of talents. Nankai University Faculty of History’s professors Li Zhi’an, Chen Zhiqiang, Wang Xianming, Chang Jianhua, Wang Lihua, Li Jinzheng, Zhao Xuegong, Liu Yuebing, Chen Xie, and Fu Chengshuang attended the meeting.
Professor Yuan Shengwen, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of History of Nankai University, made concluding remarks. Yuan Shengwen thanked the participating leaders and experts for their presence, and expressed recognition and gratitude for the questions and suggestions raised at the conference. It is hoped that research institutes and universities will continue to guide and support the work of Nankai University’s history discipline and increase cooperation and exchanges.
The meeting completed its agenda items and concluded amidst enthusiastic applause. The successful conference will contribute to the cooperation among research institutes and universities and the development of history discipline in China.
