ESHS/HSS Annual Meeting

The importance of basic science talent cultivation to sustainable development: A historical perspective

• In Event: The Evolution of Science and Technology in China: Tradition and Modernity in a Global Perspective 2

English Abstract

During the early period of the People’s Republic of China, China was in extreme shortage of basic science talents for nation-building and scientific research. China took many measures to rapidly enlarge the talent pool by attracting overseas students to return, selecting students to study abroad, and cultivating talents independently. In the aspect of independent talent cultivation, institutions and departments were adjusted to change discipline structure and geographical distribution of higher education. This led to a rapid increase in the talent quantity for science and engineering, including basic scientific research. In order to cultivate high-level talents for basic scientific research, the Chinese Academy of Sciences established the postgraduate system and trained a number of scientific research talents. Most of them became the backbone of basic science in China. These measures immediately met China’s demand for talents in basic scientific research, whose work made valuable contributions to the sustainable development of the nation and regions.

Author

• Pu Chen