Sichuan University conducted a videoconference to summarize the work of 2019 and make arrangements for key work in 2020 on Feb. 21. Mingde Building, Wangjiang Campus was the main conference venue with 82 branch venues across the university. Present at the conference were Chairman Jianguo Wang of the university council, President Yanrong Li, president assistants, among other administrators at the university and college levels.

In summing up the accomplishments last year, Mr. Jianguo Wang pointed out that the university had made great progress, with the joint efforts of all faculties, staffs and students, in accelerating the development of the “ double-first class ” project, deepening the reform of management system and mechanism, running the best undergraduate education, international exchanges and cooperation, and developing the best medicine. He then indicated that there are still many deficiencies and weak links in the work of the university. According to the university arrangements, we should work hard and do well in nine important aspects of work and 36 key tasks in 2020. All work units of the university should focus on the key issue of comprehensively raising the core competitiveness, plan meticulously, highlight the key points, and vigorously promote all work throughout the year. He stressed that 2020 is a pivotal year in the development of the university. The university will attach more importance to the use of incentive and restraint mechanism, and strengthen the sense of responsibility. Also, the university will do whatever it takes to win the war on epidemic and strive to promote the construction of a world-class university.

Mr. Yanrong Li fully expounded on how the university will carry out specific work and see to it that each task is completed as required. He said that this year is full of development tasks. The focus of this year's work centers on the two main lines: to improve the core competitiveness of the university and the level of school management and services. In essence, it is to improve the level and ability of the university. To improve the university’s competitiveness, we cannot avoid the determination of core indicators. First, we need to build a talent team. We need to make great efforts to ensure that the total number of talents, who are candidates of national talent programs of all kinds, can account for 10% of the full-time teachers. Second, regarding scientific research capacity and external competitiveness, the university should be among the top ten universities in China in terms of the total number of national natural science funds, the three national awards, national outstanding young scholars and excellent young scholars. The humanities and social sciences should continue to lead the way in the number of social science fund projects. In addition, they need to produce masterpieces with important influence at home and abroad. The university will endeavor to rank among the top 15 universities nationwide in total scientific research funds. With regard to basic research, we should produce original knowledge and high-level papers that truly reflect the academic level and the frontier of the discipline. Furthermore, we need to develop key technologies to solve real problems. The third one is concerning discipline construction. What really matters is to perform well in the two comprehensive examinations: academic subject rankings and evaluation of the progress of double first-class project. In particular, the university should work hard to increase the number of academic subjects in category A, reduce the number in category C, and make new breakthroughs in A+ academic subjects at the fifth round of national discipline ranking. Fourth, we should substantially improve both the soft and hard strength and observation parameters that reflect the student’s growth and the change in student’s morale and study style at Sichuan University.

All intermediate level cadres listened attentively to this conference through television. They expressed their intentions to put into effect the guiding principles of the conference. They would also convey to the rank and file teachers and staff members the messages of the conference in order for them to make well-coordinated plans accordingly for the year. Striving for excellence, they would go all out to contribute to the cause of the “ two greatness ” of the university.