Professor Weijun GAO Retirement Commemorative Ceremony (2027)

Introduction to the Commemorative Events for the Retirement of Professor Weijun Gao

Professor Weijun Gao has long been engaged in research in the fields of the built environment, low-carbon cities, and sustainable development. He has made significant contributions in areas such as building energy systems, urban environmental studies, and international academic collaboration. Over the years, Professor Gao has trained a large number of outstanding students through his teaching and research activities, and has actively promoted international academic exchange and cooperation, contributing greatly to the development of related research fields.

As Professor Gao approaches this important milestone of retirement, members of the laboratory, collaborating scholars, and alumni hope to organize a series of commemorative activities to review and celebrate his long-term academic contributions and educational influence. These activities will also provide new opportunities for communication and future collaboration among members of the research community.

To this end, the laboratory plans to organize several commemorative events and establish a dedicated website to collect and present relevant materials. The website will record the development history of the laboratory and preserve valuable academic memories.

In order to estimate the number of participants and make appropriate preparations, teachers and students who plan to attend are kindly requested to fill in the participation intention questionnaire: https://v.wjx.cn/vm/Q0GVvby.aspx#

The commemorative activities mainly consist of the following three parts:

1. Compilation of the "Gao Laboratory Memoirs"

To record the development history and shared memories of the laboratory, members of the research group have initiated a project to compile the "Gao Laboratory Memoirs".

The memoir will present the development of the laboratory from the perspectives of former students and collaborators, recalling important moments in academic research, daily communication, and international cooperation.

The contents of the memoir will mainly include:

• Memoir articles written by former students and laboratory members
• Records of important events and milestones in the development of the laboratory
• Collections of historical photographs and archival materials
• Messages and best wishes dedicated to Professor Weijun Gao

Through these materials, the memoir aims to systematically document the development trajectory of the laboratory and preserve valuable historical records for future academic exchange and collaboration.

2. iSMART 2027 International Conference

From February 11 to February 15, 2027, the iSMART 2027 International Conference will be held (see the conference website for details [ http://conference.ismart.institute/2027/]).

The main schedule during the conference period is as follows:

• February 11: Conference registration and participant check-in
• February 12: Official retirement ceremony for Professor Weijun Gao at The University of Kitakyushu
• February 13: Academic conference sessions and retirement commemorative banquet
• February 14-15: Cultural exchange and city tour activities in Kyushu

The conference will invite scholars and researchers from universities and research institutions around the world to participate in academic exchanges related to the built environment, low-carbon cities, and sustainable development.

During the conference, alumni of the laboratory and collaborating scholars will gather together, providing an important platform for academic communication and research collaboration. It will also serve as an opportunity for members of the laboratory community to reunite.

3. Gao Laboratory Alumni Exchange Activities

In order to strengthen connections among former members of the Gao Laboratory and promote academic exchange and cooperation, the laboratory plans to establish the Gao Laboratory Alumni Exchange Program.

This program will serve as an important platform for communication among laboratory members and will promote the development of the laboratory's academic network through a regular annual exchange mechanism.

Former students, collaborating scholars, and researchers related to the laboratory will be invited to participate. Discussions will focus on research progress, academic collaboration, and the future development of the laboratory.

In February 2027, during the iSMART International Conference, the laboratory plans to organize the first Gao Laboratory Alumni Exchange Event. In the future, this activity is expected to become an annual gathering, organized together with academic conferences or major laboratory events, in order to further strengthen connections among laboratory members and promote long-term academic collaboration and development.

These commemorative activities are not only intended to review the academic career of Professor Weijun Gao, but also to serve as an opportunity to strengthen the network of Gao Laboratory members and build a long-term platform for future academic exchange and collaboration.

【Proposal for Compiling the Gao Laboratory Memoir】

Proposal for Compiling the Gao Laboratory Memoir

    Dear Alumni and Members of Gao Laboratory,

    After forty years of dedicated teaching and research, Professor Weijun Gao is approaching an important milestone—his retirement. Over the decades, Professor Gao has devoted immense effort to education, research, and the cultivation of young scholars, accompanying and witnessing the growth of generations of students.

    For each of us, the time spent in Gao Laboratory represents not only a critical stage of academic training, but also one of the most valuable and formative periods of our lives.

    With this in mind, we sincerely propose the compilation of a Gao Laboratory Memoir as a tribute to Professor Gao's long-standing guidance and leadership, and as a collective record of our shared memories.

    I. Purpose of the Memoir

    The memoir aims to present authentic reflections from the students’ perspective, capturing Professor Gao's influence in daily supervision, research discussions, and laboratory life. It seeks to preserve the most precious and irreplaceable aspects of the mentor–student relationship.

    II. Submission Content

    To ensure consistency in editing and presentation, a unified writing template will be used (see Attachment 1). Contributors are invited to write around the following themes (you do not need to address them one by one; feel free to develop your narrative flexibly):

        1. Memories with Professor Gao
        2. Moments from laboratory life
        3. Professor Gao's influence on me
        4. Words of appreciation and best wishes

    Please follow the provided template. The recommended length is approximately one page. Photos or materials of commemorative significance are also warmly welcomed.

    III. Participation Guidelines and Principles

        1. Submissions should be in Word format and accompanied by personal information (see Attachment 2).
        2. As this memoir is a commemorative publication, once a manuscript is formally included, the rights for compilation and publication will belong to Gao Laboratory.
        3. Participation is entirely voluntary, with no mandatory requirement.

    IV. Submission Schedule

        1. Initial Submission Period: March 8, 2026 – July 31, 2026
        Submission Email:n-zhang@kitakyu-u.ac.jp
        2. Revision and Confirmation Period: August 1, 2026 – October 31, 2026
        3. Editing and Publication Period: November 1, 2026 – December 31, 2026

    A teacher's guidance is as steadfast as a mountain, and the passage of time deserves to be remembered. We sincerely hope that, through the collective participation of all members, we may present Professor Gao with a memoir that is warm, sincere, and enriched with the depth of time. Should you have any suggestions or alternative ideas, please feel free to contact us at any time.

Preparatory Group for the Gao Laboratory Memoir

Contact: n-zhang@kitakyu-u.ac.jp

March 8, 2026

Attachment 1 (Submissions may be written in Chinese, Japanese, or English. Please choose one language only):

File:English Template.docx

File:Japanese Template.docx

File:Chinese Template.docx

Attachment 2:

File:English Author Information Form.docx

File:Japanese Author Information Form.docx

File:Chinese Author Information Form.docx