From June 21 to 25, 2026, the 2026 International Academic Symposium on Sustainable Development Science & Technology (The First International Academic Symposium on Sustainable Development Science & Technology), hosted by the Panjin Campus of Dalian University of Technology and organized by Leicester International College of Dalian University of Technology (DLI), was successfully held in Panjin, Liaoning Province. Under the theme “Building Future Sustainable Systems with Ecological Wisdom and Green Technologies”, the symposium brought together nearly 50 experts and scholars from China, Germany, the United Kingdom, Austria, Poland and other countries. Participants discussed the frontiers of sustainable development science and technology and explored pathways for international research collaboration, marking another landmark achievement in the College's efforts to advance the internationalization of research and to serve national and regional green development strategies.
Experts Gather to Build Consensus
On the morning of June 22, the opening ceremony was chaired by Professor Jinxuan Liu of Leicester International College. Ms. Yanmei Liu, Director of the Panjin Municipal Bureau of Science and Technology, delivered the welcome address, expressing strong recognition and support for holding the symposium in Panjin and for its contribution to regional green innovation. Professor Xinwen Guo, Deputy Director of the Management Committee of the Panjin Campus of Dalian University of Technology, addressed the audience on behalf of the campus and gave a systematic overview of its achievements and vision in international education, frontier scientific research and social service. Professor Andreas Terfort of Goethe University Frankfurt, Chair of the organizing committee, reported on the background, academic positioning and expected outcomes of the symposium.
Academicians Lead the Way to the Frontiers
The keynote session was chaired by Professor Andreas Terfort of Goethe University Frankfurt. Distinguished scholars including Academician Xiaojun Peng, Academician Christof Wöll, Professor Jianfeng Li, Professor Paolo Falcaro and Professor Steve Bull delivered high-level presentations on frontier topics such as intelligent molecular engineering, functional interface materials, in-situ electrochemical characterization and bio-based materials. Their forward-looking findings and insights clarified the direction and broadened the thinking for the future development of sustainable development science and technology.
On the afternoon of the same day, two parallel sub-forums were convened: the International Forum on Electrochemistry and the Forum on Environment and Sustainable Development. More than 30 scholars from China and abroad engaged in in-depth discussion on hot topics including proton exchange membrane water electrolysis catalysts, advanced energy storage materials, nano-environmental technologies and green catalytic conversion. The sessions were pragmatic and efficient, with frequent cross-disciplinary exchanges that fully demonstrated the innovative vitality of the field.
On-site Visit for Exchange and Mutual Learning
On the morning of June 23, participating experts and scholars carried out a field visit to the Panjin Campus of Dalian University of Technology. During the visit, Chinese and international scholars exchanged views on research collaboration in sustainable development science and technology, joint talent cultivation and applications for international cooperation projects. The experts gained a deeper understanding of the research profile and the distinctive international education of the Panjin Campus, laying a solid foundation for the College to expand its overseas cooperation network and to deepen the substance of Sino-British cooperation in education.
Visit to Dalian to Deepen Inter-Campus Collaboration
On June 24, some of the participating experts and scholars travelled to the Dalian campus for research exchanges, further strengthening academic collaboration between the two campuses and promoting resource sharing and joint innovation in the field of sustainable development science and technology.
A Symposium as a Bridge: Research Internationalization Enters a New Stage
As a Sino-foreign cooperative education institution established by Dalian University of Technology and the University of Leicester, Leicester International College has always regarded the internationalization of research as a core development task, actively aligning itself with the national “dual carbon” strategy and with regional green development needs. This symposium effectively built an international exchange platform in the field of sustainable development science and technology and raised the College's international academic profile in related areas. Going forward, the College will give full play to the Panjin Campus's role as a “bridgehead” of international education, make sustained use of the scholar network formed at the symposium, deepen international research collaboration and hold international academic exchanges on a regular basis, so as to help foster an international academic atmosphere at the Panjin Campus and empower its high-quality development.
