The first National Academic Symposium on the Philosophy of Engineering Management was successfully held at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing on October 20, 2024. Aiming to promote theoretical innovation and practical applications, the event brought together more than 120 experts and scholars, including members from the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), to explore philosophical issues in engineering management.

In his opening remarks, Chen Jianfeng, Secretary-General of the CAE, expressed his hope that the symposium should deepen theoretical understanding of engineering management—especially the management of major projects—from a philosophical perspective, and offer profound insights to support China’s efforts in becoming a leading engineering power in the new era.

During the keynote addresses, ten experts and scholars from diverse fields shared their research into aspects such as engineering ecology, management of major engineering projects and the laws governing the construction of mega-projects. They engaged in in-depth discussions, enriched by case studies, on fundamental philosophical issues in engineering management.

In closing remarks, CAE Member Liu He, also Vice President of the Chinese Society for Dialectics of Nature, emphasized that engineering is inseparable from management and needs philosophical support. He said the symposium not only fostered cross-disciplinary dialogue among professionals in engineering, philosophy and other fields, but also provided new perspectives and momentum for academic research and application in engineering management philosophy. He said he hopes that as the Chinese community of engineering philosophy continues to grow, studies in this area will reach new heights and offer stronger intellectual support for national development and the advancement of new quality productive forces.