(Fig. 1) At the Lecture

On the afternoon of May 22, the 36th session of "Passion-Driven" Academic Forum was held in the multi-function hall of the Students Activity Center. Two lectures were given by Dr. Li Daxi, Chairman of the Chinese Association for Science and Business, and Man-Chung Tang, Foreign Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Chairman of the Board of TYLin. They shared insights on two topics: "Digital Economy is Reshaping the World's Business Landscape" and "Science and Engineering." The lectures were moderated by Zhang Lefang, Vice President of Xi'an Eurasia University. More than 100 participants attended, including President Liu Jin, Vice Presidents Zhang Junhong and Cao Mingming, teachers and students from various secondary colleges, and representatives of several enterprises.

(Fig. 2) Dr. Li Daxi

The digital economy, following the agricultural and industrial economies, is a new economic model with data as a core productive element. It represents the primary direction of future economic development and a brand-new economic system. Dr. Li Daxi explained the concept of the digital economy and its implication in the new economic model using "Leyi Group" as an example.

(Fig. 3) Academician Man-Chung Tang

What is the relationship between science and engineering? Academician Man-Chung Tang started his sharing with the topic of "black holes," before introducing the differences between science and the arts and between science and engineering, through the division of labor between "heaven" and "man." Then, he guided the audience to ponder the relationships among science, mathematics, engineering, and technology.

(Fig. 4) Teacher-student Interaction

Teachers and students at the lecture said that the lectures not only broadened their knowledge in new areas but also provided ideas for future research and development. In the future, the "Passion-Driven" Academic Forum will continue to invite high-level experts, scholars, and industry heavyweights to share their valuable experiences, contributing to fostering a research-oriented environment in the university.

Guest profiles:

Li Daxi: Chairman of the Chinese Association for Science and Business, President of Columbia International University in the United States, Chairman of CASB ventures, LLC. in the United States, specially invited overseas representative of the CPPCC National Committee, and overseas member of the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese. Dr. Li Daxi initiated and organized the Chinese Association for Science and Business (CASB) in 1997 to create a bridge between technology and business sectors and between China and the world. In 1998, he cooperated with Sun Yat-sen University and the National Natural Science Foundation of China to hold the "International Conference on Science and Business," which was co-chaired by Cheng Siwei, then Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, and Wang Xunzhang, then President of Sun Yat-sen University. The conference contributed to promoting venture capital in China. In 2019, with Shaanxi's major state-owned enterprises, he co-founded Chang'an Huake Co., Ltd. to build a comprehensive international innovation platform. Together with State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of Shaanxi Province, as well as the provincial Development and Reform Commission and Federation of Industry and Commerce, they co-hosted the International Forum on Innovation and Cooperation. In 2000, he co-founded Shenzhen Overseas Chinese High-Tech Venture Park with Shenzhen Municipal People's Government and assumed the position of vice-chairman. He appointed returned overseas students as general managers to run the park. Since then, the park has incubated over 1,000 high-tech start-ups, listed companies, and unicorns founded by returned overseas students. He founded New York Wall Street No. 2 Venture Capital Center in the United States. He also founded Columbia International University to cultivate entrepreneurial and innovative talents. He promoted the establishment of a micro-nanochip research institute in Shenzhen.

Man-Chung Tang: Honorary Doctor of Engineering, Honorary Doctor of Literature, Honorary Architect, licensed engineer in the United States, Chairman of TYLin (China), member of the United States National Academy of Engineering, foreign member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, foreign member of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, and honorary member of the American Society of Civil Engineers and the International Association for Bridge Maintenance and Safety. He is also an honorary professor in over ten universities, including Tsinghua University, Tongji University, and Southeast University.

Academician Man-Chung Tang pioneered and developed theories and construction methods of bridge engineering, improved bridge machinery, and improved special routes of construction design. The "guyed hanging basket" method he invented simplified plate cable-stayed bridge construction and proposed the design concept of "cable supported beams," making mid-span cable-stayed bridges more economical and beautiful. The method has been widely adopted throughout the world. In 1999, the authoritative international engineering weekly, "Engineering News-Record” (ENR), selected him as one of the 125 most influential engineers to the world's construction industry over the past 125 years. In 2007, he was awarded "Honorary Citizen of Chongqing" by the People's Government of Chongqing Municipality. In September 2008, he received the "Friendship Award" from the Government of China. In 2010, he received the OPAL Award from the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Association for Bridge and Structural Engineering (IABSE). In 2013, he received a Gold Medal from the Institution of Structural Engineers in the United Kingdom. More than 100 bridges designed by Academician Man-Chung Tang are scattered across the world's five continents, earning him the recognition as "the sun always shines on his bridges."