2026 Spring Festival Professional Development Workshop - Feb. 14, 2026

On February 14, 2026, the Waterloo Chinese Canadian Scholars Association hosted a Professional Development Workshop at the University of Waterloo (EIT 3142, 3–5 PM), bringing together faculty and early-career researchers for an afternoon dedicated to building sustainable academic careers. The workshop was organized and hosted by Prof. Jian Zhao.

The event opened with remarks from Prof. Liping Fu, past president of WCCSA, who introduced the newly elected president, Prof. Dayan Ban. Prof. Ban addressed attendees with an inaugural speech and introduced his new leadership team, setting an energetic tone for the afternoon ahead.

The event featured four invited talks from distinguished faculty. Prof. Xuemin (Sherman) Shen opened with reflections on finding fulfillment in academic life, drawing on decades of experience in research leadership and community building. Prof. Xianguo Li offered a practical roadmap for academic career planning at UWaterloo, covering strategies for navigating career stages, setting priorities, and aligning research directions with long-term opportunities. Prof. Enhui Yang delivered a thought-provoking talk titled "Between Presence and Absence," exploring the relationship between research innovation and the broader rhythms of our time — inviting participants to look beyond short-term outputs and invest in enduring scholarly impact. Prof. Changbao Wu closed the talk series by examining the often-overlooked role of service in academic life, making the case for how thoughtful engagement with one's community can both strengthen the broader scholarly ecosystem and shape a researcher's own professional identity.

The workshop concluded with a panel discussion moderated by Prof. Liping Fu, joined by all four speakers. The conversation broadened into timely reflections on the age of large language models: how researchers across disciplines might adapt their work in research, teaching, and mentorship; what the enduring value of universities looks like when access to knowledge is increasingly democratized; and how institutions might reimagine their purpose — from cultivating critical thinking and nurturing talent to championing responsible innovation and societal stewardship. The discussion offered both strategic perspective and practical takeaways for navigating an academic landscape increasingly shaped by AI.