Professor Yang Chen Ning, a world-renowned physicist and Nobel Laureate in Physics, passed away due to illness in Beijing on October 18th, 2025, at the age of 103. His deep affection for multiple universities in Guangdong and his earnest dedication to fostering scientific and technological talent in the province will forever remain in people's hearts.

In 1993, Professor Yang made his first visit to Dongguan University of Technology (DGUT), where he was appointed as the honorary president, marking his inaugural appointment to such a position at any university worldwide. During his visit, he planted a tree as a memento and inscribed the phrase "Learning makes pupils realize that their knowledge is limited" to inspire future generations. In 2008, this calligraphic work was formally adopted as the university's motto.

Over the following decades, Professor Yang returned to DGUT multiple times, visiting the campus six times to offer guidance and presenting four calligraphic works.  He also met with faculty and student representatives on 17 occasions in both Beijing and Hong Kong.

Professor Yang also shared a special bond with universities in Shenzhen. In 2015, he visited the Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech) to share his academic and research experiences with faculty and students. In 2018, he was invited to serve as the honorary chairman of SUSTech's Board of Trustees, and in 2021, SUSTech announced the establishment of the "Chen Ning Yang Scholarship", ensuring the legacy of his scientific spirit lives on.

At Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), Professor Yang also left a profound mark. In 1973, he made a special trip to SYSU to visit his former calculus teacher at National Southwest Associated University, Jiang Lifu. This encounter forged a bond with SYSU that has endured for half a century.

In 1983, Professor Yang attended a dinner hosted by the Sun Yat-sen University Alumni Association (Hong Kong), where he initiated the establishment of the "Sun Yat-sen University Advanced Academic Research Center Foundation" to support the fundamental research at the university. He also returned several times to deliver academic lectures and speeches, once remarking that in his heart, Tsinghua University ranks first, following Sun Yat-sen University.

杨振宁为广东高校植梦，为人才筑基

著名物理学家、诺贝尔物理学奖获得者杨振宁先生，于2025年10月18日因病在北京逝世，享年103岁。杨振宁先生与多所广东高校的深厚情谊，以及他对广东科技人才培养的殷切关怀，永远留在了人们心中。

1993年，杨振宁首次访问东莞理工学院，受聘为名誉校长——这也是他在海内外高校中首次担任此类职务。访问期间，他亲手植树留念，并题写“学而知不足”以励后学。2008年，这句墨宝被正式定为校训。

此后数十年间，杨振宁多次重返莞工，累计6次莅校指导、4次赠予墨宝，并在北京与香港两地先后17次会见师生代表。

杨振宁与深圳的高校也有着不解之缘。2015年，他来到南方科技大学，与师生分享学习和研究经历。2018年，杨振宁受邀担任南方科技大学董事会荣誉会长，2021年，南科大宣布成立“杨振宁奖学金”，他的科学精神遗产在此得以传承。

在中山大学，杨振宁同样留下深刻的印记。1973年，他特地前往中山大学拜会自己在西南联大的微积分老师姜立夫，自此与中大结下了半个世纪的情谊。

1983年，他参加中山大学香港校友会晚宴，并发起成立“中山大学高等学术研究中心基金会”，用于资助中大的基础学科研究。他还多次到中大作学术报告和演讲，曾表示“在我心中，第一位的高校就是清华，第二位就是中大”。

文丨记者 黎秋玲
图丨羊城晚报资料图
翻译丨盛嘉
审校丨林佳岱