(SHANTOU, 8 February 2012) Ninety high school students from 20 provinces in China were selected to meet and exchange ideas with eight internationally renowned professors including the 1995 Nobel Prize Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Professor Eric Wieschaus and academicians from the National Academy of Sciences and Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Rockefeller and Duke as part of a three-day camp, Project Prometheus, at Shantou University.
Professor Lin Haifan, Professor of Cell Biology and of Genetics and Director, at the Yale Stem Cell Center at the Yale School of Medicine and council member of Shantou University, is one of the leading organisers behind Project Prometheus. Professor Lin dedicated himself into the project, from idea generation, content development, programme preparation to invitation of the scholars.
Project Prometheus aims to cultivate talented youth in China in the areas of science and engineering by tapping into resources from Mainland China and globally. The scholars immediately accepted invitations by Professor Lin, in light of the project’s impact in sustainable development in the scientific arena, and in the spirit of making a difference to young aspiring scientists.
“Chinese students have very good basic qualities. We need to explore a better selection system to discover and nurture outstanding scientific talents,” said Professor Lin. “Project Prometheus integrates mainland and international resources to establish a unique exchange platform and creates a valuable opportunity for the enlightenment of science to help the students come to the fore faster on their way to scientific discovery.”
The event’s first session will centre on the fast-developing field of biomedical research. The eight world-class scientists and scholars will meet and exchange ideas in a three-day camp from 8-10 February at the Shantou University. The launch of Project Prometheus, is sponsored by the Li Ka Shing Foundation (LKSF), supported by the Ministry of Education and the People’s Government of Guangdong Province, and co-organised by the Chinese Society of Education and managed by Shantou University.
Joining Professor Wieschaus, Professor of Molecular Biology of the Princeton University and Professor Lin are Dr Philip A Beachy, Ernest and Amelia Gello Professor of the Stanford University School of Medicine; Dr Elaine Fuchs, Professor of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development of the Rockefeller University; Dr Joan A Steitz, Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry of the Yale School of Medicine; Dr Arthur L Horwich, Sterling Professor of Genetics and Pediatrics of the Yale School of Medicine; Dr Trudi Schupbach, Professor of Molecular Biology of the Princeton University and Dr Vann Bennett, Professor of Cell Biology, and Biochemistry and Neurobiology of the Duke University Medical Center.
As part of the selection process, the 90 students passed a stringent screening process of conduct, language ability, academic performance and scientific passion. Sixty per cent of the participants are male students, with the most participants coming from Beijing, Guangdong and Shanghai respectively.
The three-day camp sets up a platform for these “future scientists and engineers” to network with the eight world-class scientists and scholars. Over the three days, students will learn about their mentors’ research and expand their knowledge base through group discussions, lectures, dining and other interactive activities.
Mr Shen Jiliang, General Deputy Director of the II Department of Basic Education of the Ministry of Education, said: “The event will build a bridge for outstanding high school students of China that will allow them to learn from, communicate with, and make friends with world-class scientists and scholars in person. This is of importance and special significance in benefiting the students’ growth and development, promoting reform and innovation in our talent training model, as well as facilitating the implementation of the Outline of the National Program for Long- and Medium-Term Educational Reform and Development.
“I do expect that our students will cherish this rare opportunity to learn and seek advice from all experts and scholars. I hope you can foster lofty ideals and ambitions; develop your sense of social responsibility, passion for science and awareness of innovation; work hard and be active in practice; tap your potentials and find your hobbies. I hope you will grow into highly competent people who are morally decent, knowledgeable, have special skills, and are sound in body and mind, so as to shoulder the mission of making China powerful and strong.”
Guangdong Provincial Government has been very supportive of this impactful activity.
Mr Xu Ruisheng, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province, said: “I believe this event, allowing our outstanding senior high school students to communicate with world-class mentors face to face, will inspire the young people’s passion for science learning and arouse their awareness of innovation. The event is of great significance because it serves as an attempt to explore a good model of talent training and a new path to educational reform, setting an example for the universities in Guangdong Province, even the whole country.
“As the Outline of the National Program for Long- and Medium-Term Educational Reform and Development is being implemented in Guangdong Province, our task of innovative educational reform is still an uphill journey. Shantou University is the only university in mainland China that receives long-term donations from the Li Ka Shing Foundation, and it also carries out the mission entrusted to it by the Guangdong Provincial Government of transforming itself into a self-governing institution of higher education, and of conducting comprehensive educational reforms. It is my wish that Shantou University can keep moving ahead and strive to make continuous contributions to China’s educational reform!”
Ms Solina Chau, Director of LKSF, thanked Professor Lin for organising the project, and she shared with the participants LKSF Chairman Mr Li Ka-shing’s message.
“In Greek Mythology, Prometheus is most notable for his quiet resolve and his incredible never yielding heroic strength. Yet he is immortalised not only for his ability to suffer immense challenges, as the benefactor of man. It is his humility and decency that made him a true enduring hero. I am not a scientist, but I know a life in science could hardly be devoid of hardships, drama and disappointments. I hope the insights from these few days will be a prologue to your many chapters of triumphs – may curiosity and imagination power your virtuosic intellect, and humility be a shining beacon to your dedication to our nation and your distinguished service to mankind.”
Beginning this year, LKSF will organise Project Prometheus one to two times a year, with each round focusing on a particular field of science and engineering. Around 100 high school students with special talents in science from all over China will be selected to attend this activity at Shantou University. LKSF hopes to gradually expand its influence from this inaugural event to encourage scientific communications and teaching development between universities in Mainland China and the world.
For more information about Project Prometheus, please visit http://prometheus.stu.edu.cn
Appendix 1
| Mentors in Project Prometheus | |
| 1) | Haifan Lin, Ph.D. Professor of Cell Biology and Genetics Director, Yale Stem Cell Center Yale School of Medicine |
| 2) | Philip A Beachy, Ph.D. Ernest and Amelia Gello Professor Associate, Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine Stanford University School of Medicine Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 3) | Elaine Fuchs, Ph.D. Rebecca C. Lancefield Professor of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development The Rockefeller University Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 4) | Eric F Wieschaus, Ph.D. 1995 Nobel Laureate in Physiology or Medicine Professor of Molecular Biology Princeton University Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 5) | Joan A Steitz, Ph.D. Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry Yale School of Medicine Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 6) | Arthur L Horwich, M.D. Sterling Professor of Genetics and Pediatrics Yale School of Medicine Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 7) | Trudi Schupbach, Ph.D. Professor of Molecular Biology Princeton University Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
| 8) | Vann Bennett, M.D., Ph.D James B. Duke Professor of Cell Biology Professor of Biochemistry and Neurobiology Duke University Medical Center Investigator, Howard Hughes Medical Institute |
More information on these eight mentors could be found at http://prometheus.stu.edu.cn/eng/mentors.html
Appendix 2
Project Prometheus – Programme
Theme: Biomedical Research
Venue: Library Lecture Hall, Shantou University
Date: 8 – 10 February 2012
Day 1: 8 February 2012 (Wed)
| Time | Programme |
| 3:00-3:30pm | Opening Session Chair: Prof Haifan LIN Opening Remarks: Prof Peihua GU, Provost of Shantou University Mr Ruisheng XU, Vice Governor of Guangdong Province Mr Jiliang SHEN, General Deputy Director of the II Department of Basic Education of the Ministry of Education Prof Yu WEI, Head of Review Panel Ms Solina CHAU, Director of the Li Ka Shing Foundation |
| 3:30-4:30pm
|
Plenary Session 1 Introduction and Lecture Chair: Prof Jiang GU “My Journey in Science: Reaching the Interface of Biology and Physics” Lecturer: Prof Eric WIESCHAUS |
Day 2: 9 February 2012 (Thu)
| Time | Programme |
| 8:30-9:30am | Plenary Session 2 Introduction and Lecture Chair: Prof Yu WEI “How Your Undergraduate Years Can Prepare You as a Future Scientist” Lecturer: Prof Trudi SCHUPBACH |
| 2:45-3:45pm | Plenary Session 3 Introduction and Lecture Chair: Prof Dan LI “Beyond the Classroom: What Else is Needed in Shaping a Career in Biomedical Science?” Lecturer: Prof Elaine FUCHS |
| 8:45-9:30pm
|
Evening Lectures Introduction and Lecture Chair: Prof Joan STEITZ “Protein Folding in the Cell, the Final Step of Information Transfer” Lecturer: Prof Arthur HORWICH |
| 9:30-10:15pm
|
Introduction and Lecture Chair: Prof Joan STEITZ “Better Living Through Structuring the Fluid Membrane Bilayer: Ankyrin Adaptors in Health and Disease” Lecturer: Prof Vann BENNETT |
Day 3: 10 February 2012 (Fri)
| Time | Programme |
| 8:30-9:30am | Plenary Session 4 Introduction and Lecture Chair: Prof Elaine FUCHS “Breaking the Barriers for Diversity in Science” Lecturer: Prof Joan STEITZ |
| 2:30-3:15pm | Afternoon Lectures Introduction and Lecture Chair: Prof Trudi SCHUPBACH “Hedgehog Signaling in Development, Disease and Regeneration” Lecturer: Prof Philip BEACHY |
| 3:15-4:00pm | Introduction and Lecture Chair: Prof Trudi SCHUPBACH “Exploring a New World of Genes” Lecturer: Prof Haifan LIN |
| 4:30-5:00pm | Concluding Session Chair: Prof Haifan LIN Remarks: Representative of Mentors Representative of Students Prof Dan LI, Vice President of Shantou University |
Language: The conference will be conducted in English
