The forum adopted a multidimensional “1+6+N” conference framework, integrating a main forum, an international journal development forum, multiple thematic seminars, and an integrated “Research-Industry-Education” achievement exhibition. It aimed to foster high-level academic exchange and the transformation of innovative outcomes. Xueling Zeng, member of the Party Leadership Group and Vice Chairperson of the Guangzhou Association for Science and Technology, Hao Zou, member of the Standing Committee of the Party Committee of South China University of Technology, Weizuo Wang, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of China Science Daily, and Jizhong Zhu, Conference Chair and Professor at South China University of Technology, attended the conference and delivered speeches. They jointly emphasized that in the new era led by artificial intelligence, strengthened multi-party collaboration is essential to focus on basic research and original innovation, deepen international scientific cooperation, and enhance the synergy of industry, academia, research, and application.
The forum was jointly organized by South China University of Technology (SCUT), China Science Daily, IEEE PES Smart Buildings, Loads, and Customer Systems Satellite Technical Committee (China), and Guandong AiScholar Institute of Academic Exchange. It was hosted by the School of Electric Power Engineering at SCUT and the Academic Exchange Information Center (AEIC), with full technical support provided by AiScholar.
I. Building a New Paradigm for Research Services through Horizontal Connectivity and Vertical Integration
1.Horizontal Connectivity: A “Strong Bond” for Cross-Border Research
At the forum, the School of Computer Science and Engineering of South China University of Technology (SCUT) and the Faculty of Computing of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia signed a cooperation agreement on-site to jointly establish an international platform for research exchange. Serving as a research connector, AiScholar will provide intelligent academic service support to both parties, facilitating the interconnection of innovation resources between the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and Southeast Asia.
2. Vertical Integration: A “Service Ladder” Empowering the Entire Research Chain
Also in the conference, China Science Daily and AiScholar signed an agreement to deepen their strategic cooperation. Both parties will jointly construct a multidimensional research service ecosystem to further empower researchers and the translation of research outcomes. The Blue Book on the Development of International Academic Conferences in China 2025 was also released on-site. Guided by the Guangzhou Association for Science and Technology and compiled by AiScholar in collaboration with the Guandong AiScholar Institute of Academic Exchange, the blue book serves as a key reference for enhancing the quality and internationalization of academic conferences.
II.Showcasing Integrated “Research-Industry-Education” Solutions and Outcomes to Empower High-Quality University Development
At the conference, AiScholar, a one-stop digital platform for research and academic services, systematically exhibited its integrated “research-industry-education” solutions and outcomes for the first time. Reportedly, the exhibition centers on “empowering research,” extends to “industry transformation,” and forms a closed loop with “educational innovation.” By leveraging platform-based and digitalized services, it connects global academic resources with industrial demands, assisting universities in achieving synergistic enhancement of academic influence, industrial contribution, and talent competitiveness. Through modular displays, the event comprehensively demonstrated its full-chain service capabilities spanning from research support and outcome translation to talent cultivation.
III. Synergizing Wisdom and Advancing Together: Promoting Interdisciplinary and Academic Collaboration
During the keynote speech session, Kefu Chen, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Professor at South China University of Technology (SCUT) alon with Researcher Bin Wang, Junlong Chen, Foreign Member of the European Academy of Sciences and IEEE Life Fellow, Professor at SCUT, Professor Ali Reza Kamali from the University of Cambridge, and Professor Ali Selamat, Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, delivered specialized academic speeches on how technology is reshaping industrial competitiveness and sustainable development in their respective fields.
Concurrent events, including a journal forum (JOFM), a seminar on “Reconstructing the Academic Ecosystem,” and multiple thematic forums, brought together authoritative experts from the International Publishers Association (IPA) and globally renowned journals. They collectively explored how to build a more open, intelligent, and trustworthy new academic ecosystem amidst the waves of open science and artificial intelligence. The conference topics covered key fields, such as new energy, AI, and electronic information. Through its “AI + Research & Academia” service model, AiScholar empowered cross-disciplinary academic dialogue and collaborative innovation.
During the expert exchange interview session, leaders and experts from domestic platforms like Wanfang Data, renowned medical journals, and university journals were invited. Combining global frontier trends with local practices, they engaged in pragmatic dialogues on topics including data platform construction, journal development, and research integrity, offering practical pathways imbued with both global vision and local wisdom for the healthy development of China's academic ecosystem.
In a thematic interview focusing on “Data Platforms, Publishing Platforms, Cluster Development, and Academic Conferences,” experts pointed out the current fragmented and weak state of publishers in China, highlighting the present value of academic databases. They also mentioned the transformational challenges brought by the development of open science and the reduction of technological costs, sharing practical implementations of open science such as open publishing and data infrastructure. In an interview centered on individual journal operations, experts discussed the effectiveness of journal funding in Guangdong, shared insights into research integrity construction, explored the practical application of technology for individual journals, exchanged views on pathways for journal clustering, and deliberated on strategies for breaking through technical and content barriers to enhance the international dissemination of achievements published in Chinese journals.
Seven Years of Innovation: Charting the Future
Having evolved over seven years, the International Academic Exchange Conference on Science and Technology Innovation (IAECST) has become a vital platform connecting global scientific research expertise. Guided by the proposals of the 15th Five-Year Plan, this year’s conference further strengthened international academic exchange and the integration of industry, academia, and research. As a deep participant and co-builder, AiScholar has consistently adhered to its positioning as a “connector in the research field” and its strategy of “Artificial Intelligence + Research & Academia,” creating a new paradigm of AI for Science research services. It not only provided full-process digital support and services for the conference but is also committed to continuously empowering the entire journey—from connecting international academic resources to applying research achievements—through cutting-edge intelligent technology and platform capabilities. This provides core support for building a new, collaborative, and efficient research ecosystem.
Looking ahead, AiScholar will continue to leverage its intelligent and platform-based capabilities, collaborating with global partners to jointly promote the development of a more open, collaborative, and efficient research and academic ecosystem. It aims to inject new momentum into implementing the innovation-driven development strategy and achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology.