On May 9, 2025, Professor Wang Shouyang, Academician of the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and Director of the Center for Forecasting Science (CEFS) at Harbin Institute of Technology (HIT), delivered a lecture titled "Think Tank Development: Lessons from the RAND Corporation" at HIT's School of Management. Attended by over 100 faculty members, students, and alumni, the event was jointly organized by the School of Management.
Using the RAND Corporation as a case study, Professor Wang systematically analyzed the growth trajectory and core competitiveness of world-class think tanks, highlighting their relevance to China's development. He also elaborated on Feces's evolution and strategic positioning, supported by case studies spanning food security forecasting, international trade and global value chains, commodity market pricing dynamics, responses to international financial crises, and pandemic prediction and mitigation.
In discussing policy research methodologies, Professor Wang emphasized scientific rigor as foundational to think tank excellence. He urged Chinese think tanks to anchor their work in local contexts while pursuing innovation, integrating international best practices with a focus on domestic priorities. He advocated for balancing quantitative tools like mathematical models with qualitative fieldwork, developing rigorous talent cultivation frameworks, and building interdisciplinary teams. Professor Wang stressed that emerging Chinese think tanks should prioritize addressing pressing societal challenges and drive policy impact through continuous methodological advancement.
The Q&A session featured vigorous discussions on research data acquisition, AI applications in think tank work, and forecasts for global economic trends. Professor Wang's presentation offered critical insights for advancing HIT's think tank initiatives, charting a strategic path forward.
Under Professor Wang's guidance, HIT's School of Management has established influential think tank platforms, including four industry-technology think tanks and one of Heilongjiang Province's first-tier key cultivated think tanks. These platforms have produced high-impact research outcomes. Looking ahead, the School will further enhance its think tanks' core competitiveness and global influence, building a distinctively HIT-branded think tank model with international recognition.
