PASCO holds its 2026 annual meeting in Vienna

PASCO held its 2026 annual meeting at the SkyDome Seminar and Conference Centre in Vienna on 28 October. Past association leaders, board members and members joined guests from Chinese community organisations, universities, businesses and the scientific community in Austria to review the past three years and witness the handover to a new president.

The meeting followed PASCO's International Forum on Digital Intelligence Integration and Sustainable Materials Development. After a day of scientific discussion, participants turned to the association's work, services for members, support for young researchers and future cooperation.

President Shengli Jin reviewed the work of the previous three years, and board member Hong Wang presented the association's finances. Yifeng Qin took over as president and set out his proposals for the next three-year term.

Three years of professional exchange and member activities

Shengli Jin's report covered PASCO's work since the current board took office in 2023.

Over that period, PASCO organised scientific exchanges, academic forums, university visits, interviews with professionals and activities for members. Its work included events in materials science, automotive engineering and artificial intelligence.

The association strengthened ties with Chinese universities and scientific institutions, took part in global networking activities for overseas Chinese automotive engineers and built partnerships with organisations supporting scientific exchange across regions.

Science outreach, activities for young researchers and interviews with professionals gave members opportunities to share their research experience, career paths and technical work.

Badminton tournaments and other sporting and cultural events also helped members get to know one another outside their professional work.

Shengli Jin thanked past leaders, board members, members and partners for their continued support. He noted how much of the association's work relied on the time and effort people contributed alongside their regular jobs.

Finances and support for the association

Board member Hong Wang reported on PASCO's income and expenditure in recent years.

As a non-profit professional association, PASCO relies mainly on membership fees, institutional sponsorship and support from the wider community. Its funds cover professional exchanges, member activities and the administration needed to organise them.

The report also covered recent events. Some costs from the international forum on 28 October were still being settled, so the figures for that event remained provisional.

The meeting thanked the individuals, companies and partner organisations that support PASCO, through funding, event resources or the time contributed by members and volunteers.

Yifeng Qin takes over as president

The handover of the presidency was a central part of the meeting.

In front of the members and guests, Shengli Jin handed the association's official seal to Yifeng Qin, marking the start of the new term.

Yifeng Qin thanked the members and board for their trust and paid tribute to the past presidents, board members and friends who have supported PASCO over the years.

He spoke about the preparations for that day's international forum. Inviting speakers, coordinating the programme and organising the event had required many people to give time alongside work and family commitments. Members of both the outgoing and incoming boards worked together to deliver it.

He said the presidency brought specific responsibilities for the coming three years. Working with the new board, he hoped to develop the association so that the time and effort members put into it would lead to useful exchanges and cooperation.

Four priorities for the next three years

Drawing on PASCO's professional network and the needs of Chinese scientists and technologists in Austria, Yifeng Qin outlined four priorities.

1. Strengthen connections between members

PASCO will seek to understand the research interests, career paths and cooperation needs of both longstanding and new members. Better connections across disciplines should help members find someone to ask for advice, discuss an idea with or work alongside.

2. Give young researchers more opportunities to take part

Younger members will be encouraged to present their research, suggest topics and help plan and organise activities. Experienced members can share what they have learned about research, careers and working and living in Austria, helping younger colleagues find their place in the local professional community.

3. Follow up scientific exchanges with sustained cooperation

Building on university visits, forums and research exchanges, PASCO will put more emphasis on contact and follow-up after events. The aim is to help universities and researchers, as well as research and industry partners, continue conversations that begin during a visit or at a forum.

4. Support innovation and entrepreneurship

PASCO will strengthen ties with scientific associations in neighbouring European countries, Austrian start-up incubators and innovation organisations. Researchers with ideas, particularly those early in their careers, should have more opportunities to meet potential partners and learn about resources for starting a venture.

Yifeng Qin said these priorities would be developed gradually around members' needs. He invited suggestions and participation in the practical work of making the association useful to its members and the wider scientific community.

Helping members find the right expertise

He also described how a professional association can help people in their everyday work.

Researchers may live in the same city and work in related fields without finding time to meet. For example, a materials researcher might be looking for new data-analysis methods while an AI researcher is seeking a practical problem to work on.

By bringing them together, PASCO can help people who have never met discover opportunities for joint research.

Young researchers who have recently arrived in Austria may also benefit from experienced colleagues' advice on research choices, career development and establishing contacts with local companies.

This is the idea behind PASCO's motto, ‘Hearts and minds together, never alone’: professionals at different stages of their careers can meet, share experience, receive support and, when they can, help those who come after them.

Beginning the new term

The annual meeting concluded with a group photograph of guests, board members and members.

The review of the previous term and the discussion of future priorities gave the new board a basis for its work.

PASCO thanks its past leaders, board members, members, partner organisations and supporters, as well as the team and volunteers who prepared the annual meeting and the international forum held on the same day.

In the coming term, the association will continue to connect Chinese scientists and technologists in Austria, improve support for members, help young researchers develop and promote scientific exchange between China, Austria and the rest of Europe.