Academic culture must encourage original research

Editor's note: China recognizes that basic research is the bedrock of the scientific system and the wellspring of solutions to overcome technological challenges. ThePaper.cn spoke to Shing-Tung Yau, also known as Qiu Chengtong, a Fields Medal laureate and dean of the Qiuzhen College at Tsinghua University, on the significance of basic research. Below are excerpts of the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

It is true that China lacks sufficient original breakthroughs, not only in fundamental disciplines such as physics and mathematics but also in engineering and technology.

It is often argued that China excels at turning scientific discoveries "from 2 to 100" but is relatively weak in making original breakthroughs "from zero to one". In our pursuit of basic research, we must balance the needs of the country and its people with the freedom for curiosity-driven exploration.

Some research may appear to have little practical value today, yet it can deepen our understanding of the laws of nature. Curiosity is the most important driving force behind creations that go from zero to one. Basic science should not only help address the challenges facing the country but also leave room for uninhibited exploration.

In many cases, once scientists in other countries make a breakthrough, Chinese researchers quickly follow and sometimes even surpass them. But genuinely pioneering directions initiated by Chinese researchers are relatively rare. Taking that first step toward originality is critical for the future development of basic science in the country.

Young people today generally do not have to worry about basic living conditions, but they face other external pressures that often lead to anxiety. At the same time, parents and society tend to overprotect children. The academic culture in China needs to change if the country is to achieve genuine advances in basic science and make truly original discoveries.

The existing incentive mechanisms overemphasize material rewards but pay little attention to the intrinsic value of curiosity. At some universities, generous salaries and housing subsidies are primarily reserved for scholars with prestigious academic titles. As a result, many young researchers are compelled to pursue those distinctions rather than focus on their research interests.

Another issue is that China's academic evaluation system seldom involves international peer review. Evaluations are usually confined to domestic circles and, in some cases, even to the candidate's own institution.

Moreover, even when international evaluations are introduced, many institutions still place too much emphasis on factors such as publication counts and journal effect. Such metrics are ill-suited to assessing the worth of cutting-edge exploratory research.

Frankly speaking, the number of people currently capable of achieving genuine breakthroughs from zero to one is quite limited in China, although this is beginning to change. Many scholars returning from overseas have brought back new ideas and approaches. That does not mean China should depend solely on overseas talent. Domestic scholars are also emerging in growing numbers. The key is having truly knowledgeable experts.

Ultimately, it is in our hands. We should encourage young scholars at Chinese universities to set more ambitious goals. Some outstanding young researchers want to become world-class scholars, produce genuinely transformative work and lead the development of their disciplines. They could shape the direction of mathematics and basic science for decades to come.