Jon Kleinberg and Jeremy Nathans, winners of the World Laureates Association Prize, are displayed on a screen at the closing ceremony of the 2024 World Laureates Forum in Shanghai Oct 27, 2024. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The 2024 World Laureates Forum concluded in Shanghai on Oct 27 after three days of intense scientific discourse and collaboration, drawing nearly 300 scientists and dignitaries from about 20 countries and regions.

This year's forum hosted over 100 forums, lectures, exchanges, and interviews and spanned numerous disciplines. In her closing remarks, 2023 World Laureates Association Prize winner Daniela Rhodes remarked that the definition of "excellence" is dynamic and personal, with scientists embodying it in diverse ways.

Scientists engaged in in-depth discussions regarding the latest breakthroughs in their respective fields. The 2024 WLA Prize laureates, Jon Kleinberg and Jeremy Nathans shared their research experiences with several universities and top high schools. The forum's signature "case study session" attracted nearly 40 scientists, entrepreneurs, and investors to explore the path of transforming basic research into practical applications.

Furthermore, the forum hosted several sub-forums, including the Sci-T Conference, SHE Forum, Life Science Forum, Basic Science and Interdisciplinary Frontiers Forum, and Young Scientists Hub.

Professor Yang Wei, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, highlighted a crucial point during the closing ceremony, saying, "People often ask me what China lacks in its scientific and technological development. We have a sufficient number of scientific papers and citations. Our universities are climbing the ranks of global indices, and our labs are equipped with cutting-edge technology. While funding might be a valid concern, it is not the biggest issue. What we lack are leading scholars."

He underscored the importance of platforms like the World Laureates Forum in providing young scientists with opportunities to interact with and learn from the world's best, observing their problem-solving approaches and unlocking new scientific understanding.

Professor Xu Sheng, a tenured professor at the University of California (UC) San Diego, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the forum's unique ability to connect scientists across disciplines and generations. He noted, "As a young scientist, the most enjoyable part of attending the World Laureates Forum is the opportunity to meet the most prestigious pioneers in various fields."

Established in 2018, the World Laureates Forum strives to create a leading global scientific community, promoting basic research, advocating international collaboration, and nurturing young talent.

Over the past seven years, the forum has welcomed over 260 Nobel Prize, Wolf Prize, Turing Award, and Fields Medal winners, nearly 200 academicians from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Academy of Engineering, and more than 850 outstanding young scientists, organizing over 620 meetings and activities. It has become a significant bridge connecting the world's leading scientists with young researchers and a major event in the global scientific community.

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