如何选育基础学科拔尖创新人才——基于20世纪初哈佛“大变革”的反思

How to Select and Cultivate Top Innovative Talent in Basic Disciplines-Reflections on the"Great Change"at Harvard University in the Early 20^(th) Century

我国正面临着前所未有的竞争压力和发展契机,对拔尖创新人才的渴求愈发强烈。基础学科是提高国家原始创新能力、实现科技自立自强的坚实后盾,加强基础学科建设、培养基础学科拔尖创新人才是新时代深化科教兴国、人才强国战略的重要任务。19世纪末20世纪初,美国也面临着相似的境遇,因此开启了高等教育“大变革”。其应对策略主要有两点:一是摆脱对外来文化的盲从状态,致力于精神的独立自主和科技的突破创新;二是从根本上提升高等教育质量,培养基础学科拔尖创新人才。在此方面,洛厄尔领导下的哈佛大学堪为表率,这一阶段的改革奠定了哈佛大学作为美国杰出人才培养摇篮的基础,对于中国大学加强基础学科拔尖创新人才培养具有重要的参考意义。

Chinaisi facing unprecedented competitive pressure and1huge development opportunities,and the demand for top innovative talent is increasing.Basic disciplines are the solid foundation to improve the original innovation ability and realize the self-reliance of science and technology.Strengthening the construction of basic disciplines and cultivating top innovative talent in basic disciplines are important tasks of invigorating China through science and education and developing a strong workforce for the modernization drive.In the late 19^(th) century and early 20^(th) century,the United States was also faced with a similar situation,so it started the"Great Change"in higher education.The main strategies were as follows:First,get rid of the blind obedience to foreign culture,and commit to the spirit of independence and achieve breakthrough in innovation of science and technology.Second,fundamentally improve the quality of higher education and cultivate top innovative talent in basic disciplines.In this regard,the reform of Harvard University led by Abbot Lawrence Lowell was an excellent example.The innovation at this stage laid the foundation for Harvard University as the cradle of outstanding talent in the United States,which deserves attention of China's universities to strengthen the cultivation of top innovative talent in basic disciplines.