On April 26, the launch ceremony of Gannan Laboratory was held at Jiangxi University of Science and Technology. Jointly established by the university, the Ganzhou Municipal Government, the Yingtan Municipal Government, and Nanchang University, Gannan Laboratory will focus on advanced metallic materials and critical mineral development. Its mission is to overcome key "bottleneck" technologies, generate groundbreaking scientific achievements and innovative products, and drive the high-end, intelligent, and green transformation of Jiangxi’s non-ferrous metals, steel, and related industries.
Governor Ye Jianchun and Academician Mao Xinping of the Chinese Academy of Engineering jointly unveiled the plaque for the laboratory. Provincial leaders Huang Xizhong and Xia Wenyong attended the event. Distinguished participants also included academicians Xie Jianxin (University of Science and Technology Beijing), Nie Zuoren (Beijing University of Technology), Yang Chunhe (Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences), Ge Shirong (China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing), and Zhao Zhongwei (Central South University), along with representatives from provincial and municipal governments, supporting institutions, and partner enterprises.
On behalf of the provincial Party committee and government, Governor Ye Jianchun expressed gratitude to the attending academicians and experts for their contributions to the laboratory’s establishment and their ongoing support for Jiangxi’s economic and social development. He urged continued collaboration to channel more intellectual resources, talent, and innovative achievements into the province.
Ye emphasized that the launch of Gannan Laboratory marks a milestone in Jiangxi’s efforts to build an innovation-driven province and deepen the integration of technological and industrial advancement. The laboratory, he stated, holds strategic significance for upgrading the province’s industrial capabilities. With strong governmental backing, the lab aims to become a distinctive, industry-serving R&D platform and a national hub for collaborative innovation in advanced metallic materials and critical mineral development.
Ye outlined key priorities for the laboratory: attracting and nurturing high-level talent, strengthening industry-oriented research and technological breakthroughs, and fostering synergies across industry, academia, research, application, and financial sectors to accelerate the commercialization of scientific outcomes. He further stressed the need for an open, innovative ecosystem, diversified funding mechanisms, streamlined research empowerment policies, and robust intellectual property protections to incentivize researchers and facilitate technology transfer.
During the ceremony, participating academicians and experts offered insights and recommendations for the laboratory’s high-quality development.
Following the launch, the inaugural meetings of Gannan Laboratory’s Academic Committee and Governing Council were convened. Academician Mao Xinping, Director of the Academic Committee, presented appointment letters to deputy directors and members. Li Kejian, Mayor of Ganzhou and Chair of the Governing Council, awarded appointments to the laboratory’s executive director and deputy directors.
