Recently, the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering announced the results of the co-opted academicians in 2023. Surprisingly, the co-optation of an academician sparked a controversy between Southeast University and Nanchang University. Professor Xiong Rengen was included in the supplementary list of academicians of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, but he was claimed as his own professor by both universities. Nanchang University scrambled to advertise Professor Xiong Rengen as a member of the university, while Southeast University claimed to be its own academician. This kind of competition has sparked speculation and discussion about the identity of academicians.
Nanchang University insisted that Professor Xiong Rengen was their professor, and they brought in Professor Xiong's team to create an innovation platform in the field of molecular ferroelectricity. Professor Xiong Rengen studied at Nanchang University and worked at Southeast University for a long time, and also served as a professor at Nanchang University and Southeast University. The two sides have historical ties to each other, which has led to speculation about the true identity of Professor Xiong.
Professor Xiong Rengen is a distinguished scientist whose research interests are in the study of molecular-based ferroelectrics, ferroelectrochemistry. He has made important achievements in the field of chemistry and was awarded the title of academician of the Department of Chemistry of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He graduated from the Department of Chemistry at Jiangxi University (now Nanchang University) and held a professorship at Southeast University. He has also received the honors of National Outstanding Young Scholar and Changjiang Scholar.
Professor Xiong's academic contributions and background have made him highly sought after and contested by two universities. His research results are of great significance for the development of related fields, and also prove his influence and popularity in the academic community.
Nanchang University and Southeast University provided their own arguments when promoting Professor Xiong's identity. Nanchang University claims that they did bring in Professor Xiong Rengen's team and work at Nanchang University. The university even released the secretary of Nanchang University who visited Professor Xiong Rengen as evidence. Southeast University also announced that Professor Xiong Rengen was their professor through official channels, and provided information marked on the co-optation list announced by the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
Since both sides have provided arguments, it is difficult to determine which university Professor Xiong Rengen belongs to. This also sparked speculation and comments from netizens, some who thought that Professor Xiong Rengen had written the wrong school when he filled in the report, while others thought that Professor Xiong Rengen might want to use the higher popularity of Southeast University to improve his academic status.
Judging from the whole incident, the dispute over the identity of Professor Xiong Rengen was triggered by the competition between the two universities. Whether he ultimately belongs to Nanchang University or Southeast University, his academic achievements and contributions cannot be denied. As a distinguished scientist, his research is of great significance in related fields.
At the same time, this incident also triggered some thoughts on the selection of academicians. The status of an academician has a high prestige and status in the academic world, so many colleges and universities will compete for and promote their academicians. This may lead to territorial disputes over the identity of some academicians, and even lead to some unnecessary fights. In the process of electing academicians, the review and verification of the application materials should be strengthened to ensure the accuracy and fairness of the identity of academicians.
Overall, the dispute over the identity of Professor Xiong Rengen is an interesting thing. Regardless of the final result, we should pay more attention to and value the academic achievements and contributions of scientists, and provide them with a better development platform and environment, so that they can make greater contributions to the development of the country and the people.