[People.cn] HUTB’s "Artificial Intelligence + Talent Development" Approach Shows Remarkable Results
2024-04-18
"We conducted research on 131 energy-consuming typical enterprises in the Changsha-Zhuzhou-Xiangtan region, collected 110,000 pieces of sample data, and utilized deep convolutional networks and coupled association analysis methods to systematically deduce the historical data of the past 15 years in the region. We have identified the key factors for reducing the proportion of industrial energy consumption in the urban area." In the 18th "Challenge Cup" National College Student Extracurricular Academic and Technological Works Competition, Shi Tao, a student from the Xiangjiang Academy of HUTB, used innovative artificial intelligence (AI)-related technologies to solve urban energy resilience issues and won the first prize in the national final.
This achievement serves as a testament to the quality improvement in talent cultivation at HUTB. In the past five years, the university has won 191 first prizes in national competitions, and the employment rate of students in the technology industry has increased by 36.8%... All of these achievements are a result of the university's advanced planning, which incorporates AI into the entire process of talent cultivation.
Reform and innovation——Striving to be at the forefront of the times
As early as 2015, the university proactively established the Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies and began constructing the first comprehensive and systematic undergraduate education system for AI in China. This demonstrated the university’s unique vision and spirit of innovation. In 2017, the undergraduate program in Computer Science and Technology officially established a specialization in AI, further enhancing the university's professional layout in the field of artificial intelligence. It is worth mentioning that in the fall of 2019, HUTB welcomed the first batch of 92 undergraduate students specializing in artificial intelligence in China. There were also 110 outstanding students who became the first members of the Artificial Intelligence Academician Excellence Class. This signifies that the university has taken solid steps in cultivating talents in the field of AI. Starting in 2022, the university has made "Introduction to Artificial Intelligence" a mandatory general education course for over 5,800 undergraduate students. This provides an opportunity for students to gain an in-depth understanding of AI.
In order to accelerate the construction of a new generation of talent cultivation systems and innovative talent cultivation models in the field of AI, HUTB established Xiangjiang Academy in 2023 and set up the "Hong Class" aimed at cultivating leading talents in this field. "As long as there are research projects that meet the requirements of industrial and economic development, have innovative value, and have application prospects, the academy will provide funding support and one-on-one guidance from teachers. Each student can engage in research and enterprise practices in fields such as independent information innovation and AI", said Yang Yingli, a student from Hong Class 2301.
Through the establishment of eight Academician Excellence Classes, the implementation of the "Enlightenment" plan, the organization of three sessions of digital intelligence talent technical training camps, and the implementation of talent cultivation mode reforms such as "majoring + minoring" and "majoring + micro-specialties", HUTB has delivered more than 2,000 urgently needed professionals in the field of AI to society. All graduates have high-level digital intelligence literacy and can make positive contributions to the country's scientific and technological progress and industrial development.
Science and education integration——Bravely exploring a new path
In 2022, Xiangjiang Laboratory, one of the four major laboratories in Hunan Province, was officially established, with a focus on advanced computing and AI. As the leading university involved in the construction of the laboratory, HUTB sees the establishment of the laboratory as an important opportunity to promote the integrated development of education, science and technology, and talent cultivation. It explores new models of nurturing students through scientific and technological platforms, establishes a two-way empowerment mechanism between discipline construction and platform development, and consistently demonstrates the educational characteristics of AI.
One year later, Xiangjiang Laboratory released seven innovative achievements based on AI technology. These include the Smart Traffic Xuanyuan Model, domestic system performance optimization software with embedded operating, digital twin simulation software for complex industrial processes, and a multi-source heterogeneous data basis security sharing platform. These achievements are the result of deep integration of industry, education, research, and application, as well as the fruit of the simultaneous learning, research, and transformation by the teachers and students of HUTB. In this process, a group of outstanding innovative talents who are brave in exploration and adept at innovation have emerged.
Over the past decade, HUTB has actively responded to the major strategic needs of the country, focusing on in-depth research and innovative practices in new-generation information technologies such as AI. It has not only achieved significant results in talent cultivation, scientific research, achievement transformation, and scenario applications but also accumulated rich experience in nurturing students.
Bearing in mind the interests of the motherland—Pursuing a higher level of education
"We must bear in mind the State’s interests and the overall development plan of the province, and persist in conducting research that is rooted in reality." This is how Chen Xiaohong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), Director of Xiangjiang Laboratory, and Secretary of the CPC HUTB Committee, has always guided her students and team. She believes that actively promoting the independent cultivation of AI talents is an inevitable requirement for the education sector in the new era. In a recent academic lecture she gave to students, Chen Xiaohong pointed out that through vigorous promotion of technological innovation in areas such as AI, China is rapidly demonstrating a leading advantage in empowering industrial development. The intelligent transformation of production lines is effectively driving the upgrading and innovation of the manufacturing industry. The successful practice of smart agriculture is injecting a strong impetus into rural revitalization. The intelligent development of new energy vehicles and connected vehicles is making transportation smarter, more efficient, and safer. The intelligent transformation of the service industry and cultural and creative industries has also achieved remarkable results. Cultivating "AI+" talents with innovative spirit and practical abilities will provide strong talent support and intellectual support for China's economic and social development as well as technological progress.
In 2024, with a focus on "AI+", HUTB established the School of Cyber Science and Engineering, with a well-planned optimization layout for relevant programs. The university will continue to deepen its exploration and research in the field of AI and advanced computing disciplines, work together with research institutions and industrial enterprises to jointly build cutting-edge AI innovation and practical application platforms, and develop diversified application scenarios to accelerate the technological breakthroughs and practical applications in related fields.
"Through comprehensively promoting the deep application of AI in education and teaching, and building a system and mechanism that deeply integrates AI with education and teaching, we aim to cultivate a group of master-grade strategic scientists with international competitiveness, capable of making breakthroughs in key fields of the intelligent era, and contributing to China's initiative in international scientific and technological competition", said Chen Xiaohong. (Reported by Zhou Min)
Link: http://hn.people.com.cn/n2/2024/0417/c356888-40813163.html
