With approval from the Sichuan Provincial Committee’s Honors and Commendations Leadership Group, the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the Communist Youth League and the Sichuan Youth Federation have launched the 2025 “Sichuan Youth May Fourth Medal” recognition program. Following a rigorous process of nominations, reviews, and public announcements, Dr. Zou Hao, Professor, Doctoral Supervisor, and Associate Dean of the Graduate School at Chengdu University of Technology (CDUT), has been awarded the 28th Sichuan Youth May Fourth Medal. Wang Yuan from the CDUT Youth League Committee has been recognized as an outstanding Youth League member.
Zou Hao: Pursuing Geological Truth, Nurturing Future Pillars
Zou Hao at the Award Symposium
Devoted Educator: Leading with Integrity and Passion
Zou Hao is known as a rigorous teacher, a talent scout, and a guiding light for his students. Holding himself to the highest standards of excellence, he leads by example and embodies the spirit of a selfless educator.
Since joining CDUT, he has taught five undergraduate and six postgraduate courses. Deeply engaged in teaching reform and research, he developed a teaching app titled Easy Search: Non-Metallic Minerals, and authored three well-received textbooks, including Nonmetallic Mineral Resources. Under his mentorship, student research has yielded several SCI-indexed publications. Two of his undergraduate mentees won the prestigious “Li Siguang Outstanding Student Award” — an honor given to only five students nationwide each year — while others received titles such as Outstanding Sichuan Graduate and National Encouragement Scholarship recipient.
Dedicated Researcher: Serving the Nation Through Science
Guided by the ideal of “scientific research serving the country,” Zou Hao has been committed to innovation in geology. He has led over 20 national and provincial-level research projects, including those funded by the National Natural Science Foundation, the Sichuan Major Science and Technology Program, and the Sichuan Provincial Funds for Distinguished Young Scholars. His pioneering work in tectonic evolution and metallogenic dynamics includes the first identification of Neoproterozoic magmatic rocks with low δ¹⁸O values across the western margin of the Yangtze Block—offering critical evidence in the debate over the breakup mechanisms of the Rodinia supercontinent 700 million years ago. Focusing on national strategic needs, he has spent extensive time in the field, innovating ore-forming theories for strategic non-metallic minerals like fluorite. He developed an integrated geophysical-geochemical-remote sensing prospecting model, resolving key scientific challenges in mineral genesis and exploration. His work has garnered international recognition and delivered significant economic benefits. Zou has published over 140 academic papers, including more than 90 as first or corresponding author in National Science Review, Earth and Planetary Science Letters, and other top-tier journals. He serves as Associate Editor for Ore Geology Reviews, and co-founded and now serves as Editor-in-Chief of Ore and Energy Resource Geology.
Research Team Group Photo
International Collaboration: Proactive and Visionary
Zou Hao actively supports the national Belt and Road Initiative, seizing opportunities to promote international cooperation. He has visited countries such as Australia and Japan to establish academic partnerships and has invited leading global scientists to CDUT for academic exchanges and short-term courses. From 2019 to 2024, he organized major international conferences in Chengdu, including the “International Symposium on Concealed Ore Deposits and Exploration Technology” and the “19th International Symposium on Gondwana to Asia”, attracting over 2,300 geoscientists and students. He also co-taught postgraduate courses like Mineral Systems and Tectonics with internationally renowned geologists Prof. Franco Pirajno and Prof. Leon Bagas, expanding global perspectives for faculty and students alike.
International Exchange
Science Communication: Serving Society with Knowledge
As a young scientist, Zou has never lost sight of his duty to serve society through science education. He leads an interdisciplinary science outreach team to popularize geoscience. In 2021, his team’s video Formation and Evolution of the Guangwu Mountain Region won First Prize in the National Geological Data Innovation Application Competition. He collaborated with CCTV’s Geography of China program to produce The Mysterious Valley and The Magical Daxiangling Mountains (in three parts), which aired on CCTV-10 to wide acclaim. In 2025, he delivered a public science lecture titled “Luminous Minerals” at the “National Geographic Lectures” event, reaching an audience of over 5,000 online and offline. Zou frequently gives science talks to primary and secondary school students. His outreach work has been widely covered by media such as Xinhua News Agency and Science and Technology Daily, with total views exceeding 1.5 million.
Wang Yuan: Walking Beside Youth, Empowering Their Growth
Wang Yuan serves on the Youth League Committee at CDUT and is responsible for planning and organizing cultural and artistic activities for students, guiding grassroots Youth League organizations, introducing high art to campus, and coordinating arts exchanges and showcases. She was a torchbearer for the 31st FISU Summer World University Games and has received numerous honors, including “Outstanding Individual of the FISU World University Games” in 2024 and “Annual Excellent Instructor” for the 2024 “Glory Youth” Chengdu College Student New Thought Tour. She also led a team to win First Prize in Group A for Artistic Performance and Second Prize for Class Choir in the 2023 Sichuan College Student Art Exhibition.
During her time at CDUT, Wang has actively contributed to campus cultural development, leading and producing more than 20 small, medium, and large-scale arts events, and supporting performances organized by departments and external partners. She has hosted eight student showcase events and served as executive director for major shows such as the “Charm of Lake Yan” Dance Competition (2024 and 2025), the “Charm of Lake Yan” Welcome Gala, Youth Concert, New Year Gala, Graduation Concert, and Faculty-Student Choir Competition—coordinating over 3,000 performers and reaching an audience of over 50,000 participants.
Hosting a Gala Event
During the 31th FISU World University Games, Wang led the CDUT Youth Volunteer Team and served as director of the Panda Base South Gate Urban Volunteer Station. She organized 179 student volunteers across 23 transportation hubs and tourist attractions in Chenghua District, delivering public services, event promotion, and city hospitality. The team logged over 100 hours of service and assisted more than 1,000 citizens and visitors. She also represented city volunteers at the 6th press conference of the Chengdu 2021 FISU World University Games City Promotion Series, hosted by the Chengdu Municipal Government Press Office. She was featured on the UP Youth program produced by the Chengdu Youth League and Chengdu Broadcasting Station. As torchbearer #33 at the CDUT torch relay leg and volunteer team leader, she also participated in recording the “First Ideological and Political Education Lesson for the 2023 Fall Semester” for university students across Sichuan. The program, themed “Youth in Struggle, Rejuvenating the Nation,” highlighted volunteer stories and showcased CDUT’s contributions to the World University Games and its student-centered educational philosophy.
World University Games Event Site
Team Building: Setting the Standard
Wang Yuan is committed to developing innovative, capable, and high-impact student art teams. She also oversees student associations, co-manages the student union and student leadership council, and serves as the class advisor for the 2nd and 3rd CDUT’s “Youth Marxist Training Project—Climber Class.” She aims to cultivate well-rounded student groups with passion, depth, and influence—empowering outstanding students to inspire others to engage in volunteer service, scientific innovation, and cultural development, injecting youthful energy into China’s journey toward modernization.
