On the occasion of the forthcoming centennial ceremony of the chemistry discipline of Nankai University, the 2021 Nankai International Forum for Young Chemists was successfully convened by means of online conference. Held for discussion of further development of the first-rate discipline, the forum adumbrated a brilliant future scenario of Nankai Chemistry in the next century. Five young scholars from home and abroad were selected by the College of Chemistry to attend the conference. Other attendees included delegates from the academy committee and leading group, as well as representatives of faculty and students from different colleges. Cheng Fangyi, the deputy dean of College of Chemistry, presided at the forum.

Zhu Shoufei, dean of College of Chemistry, extended warm welcome to the young scholars at first. He introduced the basic situation of the college from various aspects, like historical evolution, current scale, academic achievements and further development. He also elaborated on the relevant personnel and talent-introducing policy of the college, which gave the young scholars a deepened understanding of Nankai Chemistry.

Subsequently, five scholars, hailing from University of Massachusetts, University of California, San Diego, New York University, University of California, Los Angeles and Hong Kong Polytechnic University, gave reports on their each topics, respectively entitled “Regulation of the triple excited state properties of photosensitizers to enhance the utilization and transformation of near-infrared light”, “Synthesis and accurate labeling of biomolecules”, “Pesticide crystallization engineering”, “Regulation of the structure and chemical properties of molecular and surface interfaces in energy catalysis” and “Regulation of active sites in photocatalytic/electrocatalytic systems”.

Prominent research interests were covered in the invited reports of the forum. The conference assumed a congenial atmosphere with passionate discussion and animated communication. The in-depth academic discussion between young scholars and teachers from different colleges offered inspiration for new thoughts and perspectives for scientific research, also activated the academic exchange atmosphere in the college. The forum rendered support to the construction of the world-class discipline, offered a promising prospect of the next century.

Nankai International Forum for Young Chemists not only provides a platform for young scholars from home and abroad and teachers in the college, also gives the young scholars a deepened understanding of Nankai Chemistry. After the forum, many young scholars expressed their wishes to cooperate with Nankai Chemistry for the construction of first-rate discipline with concerted efforts.