On December 5, 2020, Prof. Yigong Shi, Prof. Wenhong Zhang and Mr. Yansong Bai shared their accounts of life during 2020, and reflected on the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for sociality and humanity.

"Today is International Volunteer Day. Whether I or Professor Zhang or President Shi, we all came here as volunteers," Yansong Bai expressed in his opening remarks. Indeed, Huxin Lectures are all public lectures open to all, and are thus volunteer lectures. Our Huxin Lecture Series has continued to grow in popularity with this winter session seeing 50% more in attendance compared with the first lecture three months before.

Yansong Bai, CCTV anchor and news commentator

Prof. Wenhong Zhang, Head of the Center for Infectious Disease, 

Huashan Hospital of Fudan University

Prof. Yigong Shi, President of Westlake University

We invited heroes in white coats to attend this event. Medical and health workers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, the Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou Municipal Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Hangzhou Xixi Hospital, and others were our guests of honor. This was to pay respect and show gratitude to medical and health workers who have devoted themselves in the battle against the COVID-19 outbreak.

Prof. Wenhong Zhang discussed the scenes during the epidemic, recalling fighting alongside colleagues on the front line. "My thoughts on life have always been to hold true to my original aspiration, respect life and treat patients," Prof. Zhang said.

Seats reserved for medical staff

As with our first lecture, our auditorium once again was filled with the faces of curious youth – university and teenage students. During the quiz challenge, students answered questions posted by Westlake University scientists. Some lucky students who engaged with Huxin Lecture's online posts got the opportunity to participate in the lecture.

Students from Hangzhou Foreign Languages School

The lecture was a volunteer lecture, with three volunteers as speakers. Many people from all walks of life came to attend the lecture that day. Huxin Lecture volunteers, Westlake University donors, college and teenage students, and people from around the world online all participated.

“This is how we express our gratitude for the support that we receive from Hangzhou. Our Huxin Lecture Series are voluntary events, our way of returning the favor to the public" --- Prof. Shi Yigong.

Inside the mini bags were special gifts — seeds. With Huxin Lectures, we are sowing seeds to reap vitality in the next generation.

About Westlake University’s Huxin Lecture Series

Westlake University’s Huxin Lecture Series was initiated by Westlake President Yigong Shi in 2020. It is a series open to all for the purpose of greater public awareness of science and technology. It is part of our commitment to giving back to the wider society for which we were established to serve. We hope to continue holding Huxin lectures for more and more people so that we can pass on the same passion and love for exploration and discovery that drives us all at Westlake University to the next generation.