As the first blow of the academic activities held by Ultrasonic Physics and Testing lab, Academician Ying Chongfu's report "Methodologies in Scientific Research" was highly valued by the researchers and students in our institute. So during the second session of the whole series, Prof. Li Mingxuan was invited to give another report titled "On Academician Ying Chongfu's Research Methodology and Some Advice and Hopes for the Young Scientists" on March.16, 2007 in Room 218 of Dezhao Building.
Prof. Li is the master in acoustic testing field and mainly engaged in ultrasonic testing research. He once took the position as the director of Ultraistic Lab in our institute. Now he is the standing member of Acoustical Society of China and the director of Testing Branch.
Prof. Li was in charge of and participated into many national key projects. With his leadership, many national key projects were in the smooth and stable way. Many of his researchers were granted glorious awards, such as National Prize for Progress in Science and Technology of 2nd grade (2005), National Defence Prize for Progress in Science and Technology of 2nd grade (2004), CAS Key Achievements Award of 1st grade and so on. For his hard work and great achievements, Prof. Li was also elected as the outstanding member of Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence in 2006.
In his report, Prof. Li first gave a review of Academician Ying's speech and talked about his understanding about it. And in view of his own practical research experience, Prof. Li pointed out the way for self-improvement and brought forward some hopes to the young scientists.
The whole reports consisted of 2 parts: "On Academician Ying Chongfu's Research Methodology" and "Some Advice and Hopes for the Young Scientists". In the first part, Prof. Li summarized Academician Ying's speech into "three Fours".
The first "Four" is the four principles for subject selection, which are considered as the most important research methods put forward by Academician Ying: being creative and innovative; meeting the urgent demand of our country; fostering strengths and circumventing weaknesses; carrying out sustainable researches.
The second "Four" is the four guiding policies in daily research work: having a clear mind of physics conception and definition; integrating theory with practice in research; thinking out new ways to tackle problems; working down-to-earth not boosting the research fruits.
The third "Four" is the four major methods for cultivating young talents: being strict; entrusting with important posts; creating and providing opportunities to steel them; putting emphasis on training and improving the scientific research ability.
In the second part of the report, based on his successful experience in many years' research, Prof. Li pointed out the 6 "cultivations" for self-improvement, which are basic but necessary and summarized as follows:
1) Cultivation of cultural background.
2) Cultivation of strong willpower. Prof. Li said the young generation should have the strong will, unremitting sprit and diligent attitude to knowledge and work.
3) Cultivation of good research methods. We should correct the mistakes and overcome the problems in daily work, find the right direction for breakthrough and grasp any sparkle in research.
4) Cultivation of positive working style. Scientific working style can be got from team spirit, individual's responsibility and carefulness to trifles.
5) Cultivation of ethic thought. As a leading scientist, one should have the following characteristics: being bounteous in nature; being magnanimous in work; being audacious in research; being frank to others; being generous in interest distribution; being selfless in the private interests.
6) Be the master of one's own life. As to this point, Prof. Li told us to set a right guide line for ourselves and try to enjoy the beauty of our life.
At the end of the report, Prof. Li looked back his course of growing. He attributed his successful career and happy life to his respectable teacher, the good opportunities and research conditions provided by the state and the love from his family.
The academic activities held by Ultrasonic Physics and Testing lab inspire the young generation greatly by the noble character and sterling integrity of the older generation and provide them the research methods and study opportunities that can't be got from the book; what is more important is to offer them a clear orientation for self-cultivation and quality-improvement in the future.
