On August 7, the 2026 Seminar on "Double First-Class" Construction for C9 Universities was held in Xining. Leaders from Peking University, Tsinghua University, Harbin Institute of Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Nanjing University, Zhejiang University, University of Science and Technology of China, and Xi'an Jiaotong University gathered together to discuss the new tasks and situations of "Double First-Class" construction in the new round, sharing thoughts about the mission of first-class universities in the journey to strengthen the nation through education. This seminar was organized by Nanjing University and co-organized by Qinghai Institute of Technology.
Tan Zhemin, President of Nanjing University and Academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences; Wu Huaichun, Deputy Director of the Department of Academic Degree Management and Graduate Education of the Ministry of Education; Lin Weimin, Deputy Director of the Qinghai Provincial Department of Education; and Chen Yan, Deputy Director of the Jiangsu Education Department, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. The opening ceremony was hosted by Zheng Hairong, Member of the Standing Committee of the CPC NJU Committee and Executive Vice President of NJU.
On behalf of NJU, Tan Zhemin warmly welcomed the guests. He extended high respect to the Ministry of Education for its long-standing concern and guidance for C9 universities and expressed heartfelt appreciation to Qinghai Institute of Technology for its co-organization. In his speech, Tan pointed out that 2026 marks the beginning year of the "15th Five-Year Plan," as well as a critical year for launching a new round of "Double First-Class" construction. Minister Huai Jinpeng has repeatedly emphasized the need to strengthen the leading role of higher education, promote the integrated development of education, science, and talents, and accelerate the transformation of universities from focusing solely on discipline development to serving the national mission. Tan expressed his hope that participating universities could learn from one another and unite efforts to make greater contributions to building a strong nation in education.
Wu Huaichun remarked that the "Double First-Class" initiative is a major strategic decision made by the CPC Central Committee led by Comrade Xi Jinping and serves as a landmark project for building a strong education nation. It is also a key driver for integrating education, science, and talent development. He stressed the importance of improving political awareness and learning deeply from General Secretary Xi Jinping's directives on "Double First-Class" construction to propel China's higher education from "advancing side by side" to "leading progressively." The new standards for the latest "Double First-Class" construction emphasize four innovations: transitioning from discipline emphasis to serving national missions, enhancing strategic, forward-looking, and systematic planning, prioritizing performance-oriented contributions, and leading universities toward future reforms. Wu encouraged C9 universities to take the lead, shoulder responsibilities, and stay at the forefront of higher education reform and development.
Lin Weimin stated that Qinghai regards top universities as a potent driver for development and hopes that this seminar marks the beginning of deeper practical cooperation between C9 universities and Qinghai. Joint efforts aim to build high-level scientific innovation platforms and make Qinghai a desirable hub of science and innovation for top talents.
Chen Yan highlighted that Jiangsu Province, being the country's only province entrusted with dual roles of counterpart assistance and collaboration for Qinghai, prioritizes educational coordination and development. Jiangsu intends to deepen educational collaborations with Qinghai and C9 universities, contributing to the acceleration of creating a strong education nation.
Zheng Hairong presides over the symposium
During the seminar's discussion and communication session, participants from various universities made presentations, sharing their experiences in discipline layout optimization, innovative talent cultivation, major scientific research platform construction, and institutional system reform.
Attendees agreed that the new round of "Double First-Class" construction should align itself with "the nation's greater good." It should adhere to distinctive strengths, take proactive steps, prioritize excellence, foster interdisciplinary innovation, strengthen fundamental capabilities, reinforce top-tier disciplines, cultivate top-tier faculty, nurture top-tier talents, and produce first-class achievements. They view this plateau gathering as a new starting point to deepen cooperation, learn mutually, and jointly promote China's higher education into the forefront globally, thus offering strong support for Chinese modernization.
