On the afternoon of May 14, 2025, the Inspirational College of Shanghai Maritime University held a special lecture entitled From Breaking the Cocoon to Turning into a Butterfly - The Transition Code from Theoretical Cognition to Practical Innovation. The lecture was carried out in the form of a roundtable dialogue, and two young teachers, Zhang Wenbing, lecturer of the Department of Port, Waterway and Coastal Engineering, and Ping Huan, lecturer of the Department of Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering, were specially invited as interview guests to conduct in-depth discussions on the three themes of theoretical cognition, practical innovation and the future of the industry, bringing an academic dialogue with both ideology and practice to the students.
The cocoon of theoretical cognition, build a solid foundation, and take the initiative to explore. The two guests used the metaphor of breaking the cocoon and emphasized that a solid theoretical foundation is the foundation of academic and scientific research. Teacher Pinghuan pointed out that the subject knowledge system should be as stable as a pyramid, and the learning of basic courses at the bottom is particularly crucial. It is inevitable to encounter bottlenecks on the way to study, but the process of overcoming difficulties is an opportunity for self-improvement. Based on his own scientific research experience, he encouraged the students to take the initiative to overcome theoretical difficulties. Teacher Zhang Wenbing said frankly that academic exploration needs to endure loneliness, and spending more time and working hard is the only way to break through the cognitive boundary.
Practice the butterfly of innovation, down-to-earth, and accumulate steadily. Focusing on how undergraduates can participate in the practice of science and technology, the two teachers put forward practical suggestions. Teacher Zhang Wenbing pointed out that practical innovation is the hidden bargaining chip for further education and employment, and only by accumulating in a down-to-earth manner can we realize the leap from talking on paper to actual combat drills. Teacher Pinghuan reminded students to make good use of the platform and opportunities provided by the school and take the initiative to seek guidance from mentors, Science and technology innovation is not a one-day effort, and it is necessary to abandon utilitarianism and temper ability in real projects. ”
The password of the future of the industry, green and intelligent to lead the change. In the face of the future trends in the fields of shipping, logistics and marine, the two teachers agreed that artificial intelligence and greening will be the core direction of industry innovation. It is hoped that students will take the initiative to break the information gap, pay close attention to cutting-edge trends, and become talents with both professional quality and cross-border vision.
At the end of the lecture, the two guests pointed out the direction for the students with concise sentences. Zhang Wenbing encouraged the students: It is not a lie to serve the country through scientific research, and young people should take the feelings of their family and country as their sails. Teacher Pinghuan said: There is no shortcut from quantitative change to qualitative change, only precipitation can turn into a butterfly. I believe that the students will anchor the direction in the future and write the youth answer sheet in the two-way rush between theory and practice.
Figure 1 From breaking the cocoon to turning into a butterfly: the transition code from theoretical cognition to practical innovation
Figure 2 From breaking the cocoon to turning into a butterfly: the transition code from theoretical cognition to practical innovation
Figure 3 From breaking the cocoon to turning into a butterfly: the transition code from theoretical cognition to practical innovation