[Chen Fan, School of Computer Science] The 1st Forum of Deans from Schools of Computer Science of Universities in Western China was successfully held in Northwestern Polytechnical University (NPU) on June 1st, 2019.Over 80 experts and scholars specializing in computer science from 45 universities in 10 western provinces, autonomous regions and municipality have attended the Forum.

Professor Zhang Yanning, assistant to the president ofNPU, has attended the opening ceremony and delivered the welcome speech.Professor Zhu Wenwu from Department of Computer Science and Technology of Tsinghua University, Professor Wang Zhiying from College of Computer Science and Technology of National University of Defense Technology, and Professor Zhou Xingshe from School of Computer Science ofNPUdelivered their speech, naming respectivelySituations of the 1st Global Forum on the Discipline of Computer Science,Thinking of the Construction of Computer Science Majors and the Training of Systematic Capabilities, andResearch & Development of Computer Science Majors Education Optimization in New Era.

The Forum was initiated and held byNPU, along with other universities including Chongqing Universities, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Lanzhou University, Sichuan University, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xidian University etc.

The theme of the Forum was "Challenges and Opportunities of Computer Science Majors Education in Smart Era", aiming to further discuss and analyze the status quo and trend of computer science majors, share education reform achievements, and develop new modes of talents in computer science.7 experts and scholars from universities delivered their keynote speeches over crucial topics including the construction of first-class computer science disciplines and talents training based on demand background of big data, Sino-foreign cooperative education, training of systematic capabilities etc.

School of Computer Science ofNPUconducted active discussion and construction over development of computer science disciplines and talents training on the grounds of the discussion of talents training inNPU.The Forum, through the targeted, professional, and constructive advice and suggestions brought by experts and scholars on construction and development of computer science disciplines and on talents training among western Chinese universities, offered new visions and new ideas, giving a big push to the development of computer science disciplines in western Chinese universities.

(Reviewedby: Yu Zhiwen)