On the eve of SCU’s 120th anniversary, Prof. Ding Zhaozhong, winner of Nobel Prize and Honorary Professor of SCU, paid a visit to SCU again on Sep. 13-14. Prof. Ding had a zero-distance communication with SCU’S students for two days and delivered two speeches, channeling thousands of young students to the cutting-edge scientific technologies, and making them enjoy the wonderful academic feast.
On the afternoon of 13rdSep., Prof. Ding delivered a wonderful speech for nearly 1,000 teachers and students as well as more than thirty news media. Referring to his physics research experience for many years and rich life experience, Prof. Ding eloquently talked about his profound insights into scientific research, and answered students’ questions on scientific research in a brief but in-depth way. His humorous and sincere words constantly simulated bursts of thunderous applauses.
When a student asked about how to make achievements in scientific research fields, Prof. Ding said sincerely: “we have to know that any individual’s capacity is limited, we can only focus on a single thing. Focus your energy on only one field, that’s the most important thing.”
During the communication, Prof. Ding reaffirmed that “unwavering will and clear goals” are very important for youth students to carry out scientific research. He indicated that “the most important and significant work for scientists is to do what others deem impossible and unimaginable; among which, the most important is to adhere to your own interests, find your targets, and then move towards your goals.” In response to students’ confusions about the conflict between “professional interests” and “career prospect”, he noted that “scientific research implies continuous exploration driven by our curiosity towards the nature, rather than economic interests. You shall be confident about yourselves, do whatever you think is right, and do not change it because of majority’s objections.”
On the afternoon of 14th, he presented his second keynote speech in pure English:AMS Experiment’s Latest Progress on International Space Station.The students and physics fans crowded every corner of the venue, eager to catch a glimpse of the top international physics scholar and listen to his instructions. When Prof. Ding stepped into the venue, all gave warm applauses to the 80-year-old master to show their warmest welcome and most sincere respect.
Yesterday, I communicated with you in mandarin and Sichuan dialect. But I heard that SCU’s students are very good at English, and most students here are pursing the relevant majors, so, in the second speech, I’d like to communicate with you all in English.” After a brief opening remark, Prof. Ding started this scientific journey in English, leading the teachers and students to learn about the latest progress made in the AMS experiment of international space station.
Firstly, he introduced the AMS Experiment, a large international cooperation project, led by himself. AMS refers to Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer, the only large high-energy particle detector of the International Space Station, and the first large magnetic spectrometer sent to space by mankind, he said. Then, Prof. Ding cited a large number of experimental data and physical conclusions drawn from the AMS detection to precisely and deeply explain the latest progress made in the AMS experiment of international space station. The measurement result of the AMS Experiment shows that the energy distribution of atoms, such as helium and lithium, etc., in Cosmic Periodic Table, is not in line with the existing cosmic ray theory. The AMS has brought a new insight into the universe. This experiment will continue to 2024-2028.
“How will people live if they leave the earth?” Prof. Ding asked the on-site teachers and students. To give us a more intuitive feeling about the International Space Station’s real picture of scientific research, Prof. Ding played a video. The video vividly showed the real living picture of astronauts in the space after breaking out of the earth’s gravity, meanwhile, it also presented to us how the AMS-02 was built after 16 years of scientists' hard working, and how it was sent to the space and loaded for operation.
After the speech, Prof. Ding had an interactive communication with the teachers and students. Based on his physics research experience for many years and rich life experience, Prof. Ding eloquently talked about his profound insights into scientific research, and answered students’ questions on scientific research in a brief but in-depth way. His humorous and sincere words constantly simulated bursts of thunderous applauses.
During the communication, a doctoral student from the College of Mathematics raised a question on how to push forward the work from theoretical predictions to experiment. Professor Ding emphasized again, “any theory on the book is logical, but if it can’t be embodied in experiment, it will not make sense. When there is a conflict between theory and experiment, the theory is wrong. Experiment can overthrow the theory, but to the contrary the theory cannot overthrow the experiment. Currently, most people have a very wrong viewpoint, thinking that if you are capable to take actions you are able to make experiments. Now, our AMS Experiment is the largest and most complex experiment of the US. NASA., more than 600 professors from different countries are working together , but none has ever made space experiment, including myself, indicating that experience is meaningless. That is to say, after deciding your goal, you should think carefully and to achieve it step by step.”
With thunderous applauses and genuine farewell of us, Prof. Ding ended his trip to SCU. Next, he will serve as the director of SCU’s International Development Strategy Advisory Council, expressing his comments and suggestion on the important work of the university’s major development planning, major strategic planning, and major decision matters, as well as the recommendation of excellent talents. He will also provide high-end and forward-looking decision-making consultation for SCU, and continuously care about the talents cultivation of SCU and new development of the century-old SCU.
