(Article and Photo/Dun Yuxuan, Review/Li Gang)
On 20 April 2024, the 6th Marxist Science, Technology and Society (STS) Forum was successfully held at the China University of Mining and Technology. The forum was hosted by the Engineering and Social Development Professional Committee of China Society for the Study of Dialectics of Nature, co-organised by the School of Marxism of Northwestern Polytechnical University and the School of Marxism of China University of Mining and Technology and the School of Marxism of Nanjing University, and co-organised by the Editorial Department of Dialectics of Nature Bulletin, the Editorial Department of China University of Mining and Technology (Social Science Edition), and the Editorial Department of Coal Higher Education. Chen Wen, Minister of the Party Committee Propaganda Department of China University of Mining and Technology (CUMT), Hu Daping, Director of the Engineering and Social Development Professional Committee of the China Society for the Study of Dialectics of Nature, and Dean of the School of Marxism of Nanjing University, delivered speeches on behalf of the organisers and hosts. Professor Qi Guang, Dean of the School of Marxism, China University of Mining and Technology, and Professor Yan Guohua, Secretary of the Party Committee of the School, presided over the opening and closing ceremonies of the forum respectively.
(Group photo of the Forum)
More than 90 experts and scholars from University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing University, Zhejiang University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Lanzhou University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Anhui University, Nanchang University, and other universities and the National Railway Group participated in this forum. Focusing on "Chinese Discourse and Practical Formation of Engineering Modernisation", the participants reported their views and ideas from the dimensions of metatheory, epistemology and practice. A number of experts analysed the ethical challenges brought by science and technology in the light of the current reality, based on the principle that science and technology should be good and ethics should come first, and responded to the challenges from different perspectives by applying Marxist theories on science and technology and social development. Participants also paid attention to the brand-new concept of "new quality productive forces" and elaborated on its characteristics, logic and structure, reflecting the keen insight of Marxist scholars in the times and their responsibility to develop new theories.
As the secretariat of the Engineering and Social Development Committee and the organiser of this forum, teachers and students of the School did a great deal of work in the preparation of the conference, inviting experts and agreeing on the agenda. Professor Zhang Yunlong, associate professor Lv Tianze, assistant professor Qi Chengshui and doctoral student Song Zhihuan discussed the topics of "Two Research Paths of Engineering Justice", "Historical Evolution of Engineering Science", "New Quality Productivity: Golden Key to Modernisation of Productivity", "Modern Turn of Engineering Justice" and "Modernisation of Engineering Justice" respectively.
(Our teachers and students make presentations)
After the forum, Professor Zhang Yunlong, Deputy Director and Secretary General of the Engineering and Social Development Committee of the Chinese Society for the Study of Natural Dialectics and Vice Dean of the College, made a summary of the meeting. Prof Wang Jinzhu, Vice Dean of the School of Philosophy of Anhui University, briefly introduced the basic situation of the school and the main achievements of the development of humanities, and sincerely invited all participants to gather again in Hefei for the seventh event.
(Participants from Northwestern Polytechnical University and Prof Yan Guohua from China University of Mining and Technology)
The School of Marxism of our university and the School of Marxism of Nanjing University jointly initiated the Marxist Science, Technology and Society (STS) Academic Forum in 2017, which aims to form a Marxist Science, Technology and Society Academic Community through academic exchanges, collision of ideas and collaborative research, and provide theoretical support for the promotion of scientific and technological innovation and social progress. The forum has been held six times so far, and has gradually become an academic platform with national influence. The seventh Marxist Science, Technology and Society Academic Forum will be hosted by the School of Philosophy of Anhui University.