The 2024 Annual Academic Conference of the Higher Education Branch of China Education Association of Machinery Industry was held at SUT from August 15^th to 17^th. More than 150 experts and scholars from over 30 higher education institutions, vocational colleges, and industry bodies across the country attended the conference. JIA Yuming, secretary of the Party Committee of SUT, and ZHANG Ke, deputy secretary of the Party Committee and president, were present at the conference. JIA Yuming expressed the hope that experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs could work together to explore the pivotal role of higher education in promoting the innovation-driven development of machinery industry. He also hoped that they could contribute their wisdom and strength to the cultivation of high-quality talents with global perspectives, innovative spirit, and practical ability. At the conference, Professor ZHAO Ji and Professor HU Shengsun as keynote speakers delivered their speeches, and Professor ZHANG Ke, Professor CHEN Ming, and Professor HU Shengsun gave their speeches as well.