On its path toward building a world-leading university, the International Campus， Zhejiang University has always considered young faculty as the core of its development. Recently, the campus officially launched the Implementation Plan of the "Dengfeng Program" for Young Faculty Development. The program establishes a comprehensive cultivation system encompassing teaching, research, and career development through a framework of "1 master plan + N targeted implementation measures," paving a progressive path to excellence for every aspiring young scholar.
Why a "Dengfeng" Program?
Against the backdrop of global competition for talent and the deepening national strategy of integrating science, education, and talent, the International Campus remains firmly committed to its SAIL (Sustainable, Accountable, International, and Leading) development goals. The "Dengfeng Program" serves as a core mechanism to build a complete "recruitment-cultivation-utilization-retention" chain for young talent, systematically advancing their cultivation.
This five-year systematic program is not only about individual academic growth but also embodies the campus's mission to cultivate a cohort of young scholars with international competitiveness. The journey to the summit requires clear direction, substantial support, and growth companionship—this is precisely the starting point and ultimate aim of the "Dengfeng Program."
What is the "Dengfeng" Program?
The program unfolds across three key dimensions:
In Teaching, it supports young faculty in securing and excelling in the classroom through systematic training, dedicated funding for teaching innovation, developmental evaluation, and incentive mechanisms.
In Research, it establishes funding to nurture international collaboration projects and interdisciplinary projects. The program creates a two-tier system for grant proposal revision and pilots a "representative achievements" evaluation and a "long-cycle" assessment for fundamental research. In addition, it supports young faculty in initiating high-level international academic conferences and engaging in substantive international research collaboration and research translation.
In Career Development, guided by the spirit of both educators and scientists, it implements the "Haina Navigation Program," pairing young faculty with senior experts from within and beyond the university. This is complemented by "Chaoyong Program" postdoctoral positions, personalized career planning, and opportunities for domestic and international academic visits, empowering young scholars to realize their ambitions on a broader stage.
Who is Eligible to Join the Program?
The "Dengfeng Program" is designed for full-time young faculty at the International Campus who demonstrate the potential to grow into academic leaders (specific application criteria and selection procedures will be announced separately). Three supporting implementation measures have been released concurrently. We encourage all eligible young faculty to join.
As a fertile ground blending Eastern and Western academic traditions, this campus consistently seeks to meet, support, and grow alongside with the most dynamic young talents. The mission of the "Dengfeng Program" is to ensure every young faculty member receives steadfast support, systematic training, and long-term mentorship—passing the torch through teaching, exploring the unknown through research, and defining the future through endeavor.
Here thrives the mission of nurturing talents to reach new heights. We sincerely invite young faculty members across the campus to join the "Dengfeng Program." Let us ride the tide of the Qiantang River, journey together toward vast horizons, and ascend to new heights.
(Article & Photography: Office of Human Resources, Office of Scientific Research and Technology Transfer, Office of Academic Affairs; Proofreading: Beverly Marie Ang; Editing: CHEN Nuo; Editing in Charge: LI Yinan; Reviewer: YANG Yi; Final Review: QU Haidong)