To deepen interdisciplinary integration, boost linkage between basic research and engineering applications, and connect fundamental mathematical and physical theories with intelligent steel manufacturing, material R&D and digital technologies, a cross-disciplinary exchange seminar between Institute of Engineering Technology,USTB (IET) and School of Mathematics & Physics was held on May 11 at USTB Changping Innovation Park. The seminar was hosted by Xiao Xiong, Vice Dean of IET, with He Anrui, Party Secretary of IET, Zhang Yongjun, Dean of IET, Wu Yuan, Dean of the School of Mathematics & Physics, and Liu Yu, Vice Dean of the school, in attendance.

Zhang Yongjun extended a warm welcome to the delegation from the School of Mathematics & Physics and introduced IET’s development and core businesses. He stated that rooted in the steel industry’s real-world demands, IET conducts key technology R&D and achievement transformation focusing on industrial frontlines, forming distinctive engineering advantages in AI-enabled manufacturing, industrial large model application, multi-physics coupling modeling, surface defect inspection and additive manufacturing. He hoped this seminar would serve as a docking platform for closer collaboration and complementary strengths, jointly tackling technical bottlenecks and enhancing innovation capacity to support high-quality transformation of the steel industry.

Wu Yuan introduced the development and research achievements of the School of Mathematics & Physics. He noted that the school boasts profound academic foundations and abundant research outputs in basic disciplines including mathematics, statistics, physics and mechanics, with solid supporting capabilities in data modeling, numerical simulation, statistical analysis, intelligent algorithms and sensor technology. He expected to leverage the school’s strengths in basic disciplines to collaborate closely with IET for mutual empowerment, better applying mathematical and physical theoretical methods to engineering practices and jointly promoting interdisciplinary innovation and high-level research outputs.

Personnel in charge of businesses and faculty representatives from both sides delivered special reports on research fields, technical achievements and practical application demands during the exchange session. They held targeted technical sharing and demand alignment focusing on digital R&D, large model application, numerical simulation, big data analysis, defect identification, material design and intelligent inspection. Subsequently, in-depth discussions were carried out on interdisciplinary integration, joint technical research, project cooperation and talent cultivation, clarifying future cooperation directions and implementation paths.

He Anrui delivered a concluding speech. He pointed out that IET and the School of Mathematics & Physics feature complementary research strengths and highly aligned research priorities. Basic research forms the root of innovation, while engineering application bears its fruits. Only through in-depth cross-disciplinary collaboration can core key technologies be fully overcome. He proposed deepened cooperation covering Party-building guidance, joint research projects, collaborative talent training, achievement transformation and platform construction to jointly empower industrial development and support USTB’s construction as a Double First-Class university.

The seminar built a pragmatic and efficient communication platform between IET and the School of Mathematics & Physics, consolidating consensus on interdisciplinary innovation and laying a solid foundation for deeper collaboration and complementary advantages. Attendees included researchers Song Yong and Liu Jianhua from IET, as well as Liu Lin, Director of the Department of Information and Computing Science, Chen Xuehui, Party Branch Secretary of the Department of Statistics, and Wen Xiaolong, Deputy Director of the Department of Physics from the School of Mathematics & Physics.