60 years Growth and Accomplishments of CASAD
2015 marks the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Academic Divisions of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), one of the three key components of the organization.
As a comprehensive and large national scientific institution, CAS comprises three major parts -- a comprehensive research and development network consisting of over 100 research institutes, a traditional merit-based academic society like US NAS and a system of higher education based on two universities of CAS with the support of its affiliated research institutes. As the cradle of science, technology and postgraduate education in China, CAS has the mandate to explore and harness knowledge and technology as well as education for the benefit of China and the world. The merit-based part of CAS is represented by the Academic Divisions as above-mentioned. Founded in June, 1955, six years after the founding of CAS, the Academic Divisions has served as an advanced national think-tank to the Chinese Government on major science and technology issues in the past six decades.
Today this learned body consists of six divisions, respectively in mathematics and physics; chemistry; life and medical sciences; earth sciences; IT-related sciences and technological sciences, which help organize and carry out strategic studies and advice on different topics. It now has 728 academicians called CAS Members and 70 Foreign Members. CAS Members who enjoy prestigious honor in Chinese science are elected from various research institutes and universities including line-industry supported ones following strict and highly competitive process. The Foreign Members are elected from all parts of the world.
The strategic advice and proposals that the Academic Divisions has provided over the past years have played an important role in the construction of the national innovation system, the initiation and launch of various major scientific policy and programs and extension of science to the general public. The Chinese Government attaches much importance to this scientific community. The fact that the biannual General Assembly of the Academic Divisions is always attended by top Chinese leaders is an indication.
A major national think-tank with significant impact
The Academic Divisions was founded to have a heavy hand in the shaping up of national scientific development policy and programs from the beginning. Soon after its founding, it was given the job to lead the drafting of China’s first Twelve-Year (1956-1967) National Science and Technology Development Program, which helped laid down the basic framework for the development of China’s S&T system. In the years that followed, it put forward a number of strategic proposals to the Chinese Government that led to a number of significant initiatives and programs, significantly benefited China’s science and technology. For example, it was due to its proposals that the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) was founded based on the basic science fund of CAS, that the National High-Tech Research and Development Program (863 Program) was launched and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) was founded. Its proposals also led to the launch of post graduate education in the country.
More recently, it co-organized a joint strategic study with NSFC on the Academic Disciplines Development in China for the Next Decade (2011-2020). This joint effort led to the publication of a general report and 19 thematic reports, which attracted the attention of the Chinese Government and widespread attention from scientific communities from both home and abroad.
Since 2000, the Academic Divisions has submitted 160 strategic studies to the State Council and various governmental agencies, including proposals on reforming the country’s science & technology system, the development of renewable energy system, key technology for aero-engine and gas turbine, basic research, strategies for emerging industry, urbanization, and so on. In most of these cases, it was the Academic Divisions that decided on the research topics and made decisions if it should submit a study. Its proposals and advice get increasingly adopted.
Given the changed and rapidly changing environment, the Chinese Government pays more attention to think-tank development in China and has advised CAS to strengthen its related efforts. The Academic Divisions expects to commit more efforts in this regard in the future
To be in a better position to do a good job and to meet the needs, CAS has made a decision to set up a designated unit called CAS Consultation Center for S&T Strategies that is affiliated to the Academic Divisions. With this center in place, the Academic Divisions expects to play a more effective role in strategic advice while continuously taking advantage of CAS integrated and comprehensive strength and wisdoms and efforts of the whole Chinese scientific community.
Promoting science excellence
The Academic Divisions has also been a major player in advocating science excellence.
Placing scientific ethics and integrity at the top of Chinese science, it requires all CAS Members to act as role models. In 2007, it issued a manifesto on scientific ethics, promoting scientific values, integrity and social responsibilities of scientists. In 2008, it endorsed the “G8+5” Academy of Sciences’ joint declaration on science. It participated in the Second and the Third World Conference on Research Integrity in 2010 and 2013 and was actively engaged in the related discussions with international colleagues.
In May 2014, it released Towards Excellence in Science at the Global Research Council 2014 Annual Meeting held in Beijing. This statement which advocates seeking truth and innovation to science, was very well received by the international scientific communities. In addition to positive response from over 10 national academies, both Nature and Science made some special comments on it.
The Academic Divisions is also the host of two major Chinese science journals, Science China and Science Bulletin, both being well-read comprehensive Chinese scientific periodicals in the public and scientific community in China. It is also the organizers of a series of influential academic meeting such as the Forum on Frontiers on Science & Technology (FFST), Scientific Innovation and Strategic Decision-making Forum, and Technological Science Forum.
Promoting science among the public
The Academic Divisions is also very much committed to the dissemination of scientific knowledge, spirit and culture among the general public.
Science and China Lecture Tour is one of these activities. So far, CAS Members have given over 1,200 tour lectures across the country, targeting at students and the young. With easy to understand language and face-to-face communications, these activities have sowed much seeds of science among the young.
In 2010, the Academic Divisions launched a Scientific Culture Development Project, introducing a series of popular readings to students in both primary and high schools.
Since 2011, it has organized a series of seminars on scientific ethics and integrity, concerning areas such as transgenic technology, nanotechnology, stem cell, the Internet, the environment and sustainable development with the goal to discipline scientific conducts.
The Academic Divisions of CAS is committed to further strengthening its role and capacity as an independent strategic think tank on major issues of national, regional and global concerns. To this end, it will enhance collaboration with other domestic counterparts such as the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering. It will also strengthen cooperation with other national academies and international organizations concerned. It is confident of a bigger and more effective role in sound strategic advice by joining international efforts to address global challenges and by inviting international partners to address domestic issues of major challenges.