On February 28th, 2025, the launch meeting of the special project of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC) titled "Management Theory and Methods for the Safe Operation of Hazardous Chemicals" was held in Shanghai. The meeting was organized by the Department of Management Science of the NSFC and hosted by East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST). Liu Zuoyi, Deputy Director of the Department of Management Science of the NSFC, and Xuan Fuzhen, President of ECUST, attended the meeting and delivered opening remarks.

Deputy Director Liu Zuoyi introduced the background of the project's establishment. He called on the project leaders to focus on real-world scenarios, especially to closely integrate practical cases in the field of chemical safety. He emphasized the need for in-depth understanding of scenario-specific knowledge, innovative research targeting these scenarios, and ensuring that the research outcomes provide effective theoretical support and technical methods for the management of hazardous chemicals.

The project presentation session was chaired by Professor Liang Zhe from Tongji University. Professors Fan Tijun from ECUST, Weng Wengu from Tsinghua University, Qin Hu from Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Long Jiancheng from Hefei University of Technology, and Li Jian from Beijing University of Technology presented their research objectives, content design, key scientific issues, technical approaches, and innovations. Experts in attendance offered suggestions on the application scenarios of the safe operation of hazardous chemicals, project collaboration, and algorithm design.

The special project on "Management Theory and Methods for the Safe Operation of Hazardous Chemicals" is oriented towards the national strategic needs, covering multiple dimensions including production, transportation, and management. It integrates research content from fields such as statistical computing optimization and simulation decision-making theory.

Professor Fan Tijun from East China University of Science and Technology, representing all members of the special project, said that the project will enhance exchanges and cooperation, serve the national need to enhance public safety, and provide theoretical support for policy-making.

Participants in the meeting included members of the advisory expert group, project team members, and relevant staff from the Department of Management Science of the National Natural Science Foundation of China.