Today (October 13), the Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics of Fudan University (hereinafter referred to as the "Center") was inaugurated at the Jiangwan Campus of Fudan University. The establishment of the center is an important measure for the university to improve the basic research discipline system, serve the national strategic needs, and accelerate its march towards the forefront of world-class universities with Chinese characteristics.
Relying on the advantages of the physics discipline of Fudan University, the center will take "first-class and cutting-edge" as its goal, always base itself on the forefront of the development of Chinese astronomy, and is committed to promoting scientific research and talent training in astronomy, working closely with scholars at home and abroad to create high-end scientific research achievements and cultivate top-notch scientific research talents.
Ni Peigen, Deputy Director of the Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Academician Cui Xiangqun of Nanjing Institute of Astronomical Optics and Technology, Professor Zhou Lei, Vice President of Fudan University, and Professor Yuan Feng, Director of the Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics of Fudan University, jointly unveiled the research center. Academician Peng Huisheng, Dean of the Institute of Science and Technology of Fudan University, presided over the opening ceremony.
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Optimize the discipline layout, a new starting point for Fudan in the field of astronomy
Astronomy occupies a fundamental position in the development of national disciplines and is the engine of the development of basic disciplines. Since 2017, he has won 8 Nobel Prizes in Physics 3 times, and 3 times have been awarded in astrophysics. The level of astronomical innovation has become one of the indicators of the scientific and technological strength of various countries. In 2023, the Ministry of Education and other five ministries and commissions jointly issued the "Reform Plan for the Adjustment and Optimization of the Discipline Setting of General Higher Education", which emphasizes the need to strengthen basic science majors such as mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology, and moderately expand the layout of science majors in short supply such as astronomy.
The establishment of the Center for Astronomy and Astrophysics of Fudan University marks a new starting point for Fudan University's research in the field of astronomy. The center will mainly focus on the four key disciplines of high-energy astrophysics, galaxy formation and evolution, cosmology, and computational astrophysics, and also consider time-domain astronomy research. Research methods include theory, numerical simulation, and observation. High-energy astrophysics includes black hole astrophysics (black hole accretion theory, active galactic nuclei, transient sources) and particle astrophysics; The formation and evolution of galaxies include the theory and observation of active galactic nucleus feedback, especially the theory and observation of the circulating galaxy medium, which are popular in recent years. Time-domain astronomy includes gamma-ray bursts, fast radio bursts, and black hole tidal tearing stars.
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To build an internationally influential and domestic leading astronomical research and talent training institution
In recent years, Fudan University has paid special attention to the introduction of talents in the field of astrophysics, and has successively introduced young talents such as Professor Cosimo Bambi and Professor Antonino Marciano. In 2024, Professor Yuan Feng, a leading talent in astronomy, will join Fudan University. At present, the center has 4 professors, 1 young researcher, 2 research assistants, 5 postdoctoral fellows, 22 graduate students and 35 undergraduates.
The center will continue to actively attract young and middle-aged talents at home and abroad to join in, strengthen academic exchanges with astronomical research institutions at home and abroad, and cross-cooperation with Fudan University in physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, biology and other related disciplines. The center plans to build an elite team of 8-10 astronomy and astrophysics within 2-3 years to reach the critical quality of discipline development, and after that, further accurate talent introduction and sustainable development, and establish a higher-level astronomical research and talent training institution with important international influence and leading position in China after 5 years.
More than 40 specially invited experts from the astronomical community attended the ceremony, including He Cheng, Director of the Astronomy Division of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, Academician Jiang Song of the Beijing Institute of Applied Physics and Computational Mathematics, Academician Xie Xincheng of Fudan University, Academician Han Zhanwen of the Yunnan Astronomical Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Academician Gong Xingao of Fudan University, Academician Lin Haiqing of Zhejiang University, Academician Shi Shengcai of the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and Academician Zhao Gang of the National Astronomical Observatories of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
After the unveiling ceremony, the guests discussed the development strategy of the center, and made suggestions and suggestions on the development of the center, such as discipline development, scientific research, talent training, and academic exchanges.