The Chinese Association for Academic and Professional Success (CAAPS), established in 1975 on the East Coast, is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. The celebration and annual meeting will be held on August 16 (Saturday) at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel in Flushing. The theme of the event is “Technological Innovation and Economic Prosperity,” bringing together renowned experts and scholars from various fields to exchange ideas. The afternoon breakout sessions will be open to the public for free, aiming to disseminate new knowledge.
Over the past 50 years, CAAPS has evolved into one of the largest and most influential platforms for academic exchanges among Chinese Americans in the United States. The annual event will consist of three main parts: morning opening ceremony, afternoon breakout sessions (2-5 pm), and an evening banquet with a keynote speech, where awards will be presented to several outstanding individuals.
Under the leadership of Chairman Zhang Donglong and President Xiao Xinghua, CAAPS has achieved three milestone developments in its 50th year: the establishment of the Smart City Architecture Engineering Committee, the creation of the Youth Role Model Award, and the initiation of the CAAPS High School Student Scholarship. This year’s speakers at the annual meeting will showcase a rejuvenated, diversified, and high-level lineup.
In terms of rejuvenation, among the 21 speakers, 14 will be presenting at the CAAPS annual meeting for the first time, including three successful entrepreneurs. This year will also introduce a Deputy Minister for the Youth Department. In terms of diversity, experts from various fields, AI-integrated entrepreneurs, professors, doctors, postdoctoral candidates, and FASCA goodwill ambassadors have been invited to speak.
Regarding the high-level lineup, the past CAAPS annual meetings have featured prominent speakers such as inventors, artists, Nobel Prize laureates, presidents, presidential candidates, ministers, mayors, and more. This year, the lineup includes Dr. Liao Junzhi, Director of the Academia Sinica, and Jeffrey Sashs, Chairman of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The afternoon breakout sessions will cover eight major areas: medical advancements, healthy living, emerging information and communication technologies, smart architecture and environmental conservation, diverse education and cultural innovation, economic growth and business outlooks, scientific innovation and applications, urban planning and transportation. These sessions are open to the public for free, welcoming all interested individuals to attend.
President Xiao Xinghua highlighted that the 50th anniversary marks a year of continuity and new beginnings. Over 20 former chairpersons, presidents, and award recipients, including 94-year-old Dr. Qian Xu, a Chinese-American scientist honored with memberships in the National Academy of Sciences, National Academy of Engineering, Institute of Medicine, and American Academy of Arts and Sciences, will be in attendance. Xiao shared that her motto has always been “Learn from the Best,” hoping that through this event, young role models, entrepreneurs, and high school scholarship recipients can learn from the best predecessors.
During the annual meeting, several awards will be presented, including the “Outstanding Lifetime Achievement Award” to Dr. Li Changyu (for his outstanding lifelong achievements in the field of forensic science); the “Academic Achievement Award” to Professor Wu Zichou (for his outstanding research and development of HPV vaccine technology); the “Academic Leadership Achievement Award” to Dr. Liao Junzhi (for his exceptional leadership at the Academia Sinica); the “Entrepreneur Role Model Award” to Chen Qiugui (for founding Accord Windows and Doors Company, which has become one of the top 30 window and door manufacturers in North America and supports various cultural, educational, and artistic institutions in New York); the “Entrepreneur Role Model Award” to Li Mingxing (for his exceptional contributions as the leader of Tien Ren Tea Group and as a consultant for the Overseas Chinese Affairs Council of Taiwan); the “Outstanding Service Award” to Professor Qian Yizhi; the “Youth Role Model Award” to Zhang Yuyang (Abraham Chang), along with high school student scholarships.
In addition to the keynote speeches, the evening banquet will feature a variety of entertainment, including classic campus folk songs (flash mobs, duets, mass choruses), operatic performances, chamber music, and traditional Chinese opera. Individuals interested in attending the banquet can purchase tickets for $100 by emailing [email protected].
The event was attended by board advisors Zheng Xiangyuan, Lin Fengbao, Zhang Zhanghua, advisor Zhong Bingcai, as well as board members and convenor Shi Wenshan.
The afternoon breakout sessions are open for free attendance on August 16 (Saturday) from 2 pm to 5 pm at the Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel on the 7th floor (135-20 39th Ave, Flushing).