Nanjing Daily published a 1.5 page top story on the ninth “21st Century Computing,” a global academic forum held on Oct. 29 in Nanjing, jointly organized by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, the Nanjing government, and Microsoft Research Asia. Pictures of Harry Shum and the curious audience at the conference were included.

The article is divided into two sections, with the first section presenting an overview of the forum itself, including a brief summary of its history. Nanjing is also succinctly looked at as a famous technological R&D city with a large amount of resources, followed by a synopsis of Microsoft Research Asia’s work and progress in Nanjing. The second section of the article covers an interview with Harry Shum, corporate vice president of Microsoft, chairman of Microsoft Research Asia and newly appointed leader of the Internet Service Research Center, where he briefs on a series of topics, including Microsoft’s strategy to developing Internet research, bright future prospects, online safety issues, Shum’s personal experiences, and Nanjing’s potential in becoming one of China’s major software cities.

The “21st Century Computing” forum, initiated by Microsoft Research Asia soon after its establishment in 1998, was attended by famous professors from top universities such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Cornell University, and leading scholars from the software industry, including two winners of the Turing Award. The theme of the forum this year was “Weaving the Future through the Web,” where experts shared their newest research achievements in computing and the web with Nanjing students and scholars. Nanjing has developed an advanced software industry and welcomes academic exchanges and project collaborations with large enterprises such as Microsoft to increase innovation. Microsoft is greatly interested in Nanjing’s developmental prospects and talent advantage, and hopes for further cooperation.

In the interview with Harry Shum, he first talks about Internet search, and how competition has allowed Microsoft to develop stronger results in the area, achieving a relatively secure user group and influencing a good number of users in search habits. In the future, Microsoft will attract more users with better products that serve user needs. With that, Shum explores a number of future possibilities that will be of high consequence in the field. He also indicates that in the future, the Internet will allow for significantly greater efficiency in the business world. The importance of web and user safety is recognized, and efforts in the area are relayed. Following, the article explores Harry Shum’s personal zest and achievements in Microsoft and the IT industry. He describes the talents at Microsoft Research Asia and how success is achieved through risk taking and full devotion, valuable traits in modern society. The importance of collaborations within the industry is also emphasized. Finally, Nanjing’s importance in future technology development is once again accentuated. Microsoft Research Asia wishes to work closely with Nanjing and offer a platform for its talents to achiever further innovation.