On Nov 11, the opening ceremony of the 5th Interdisciplinary Frontier Forum （IFF）and Academic Month in 2023 was held at Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai (BNU Zhuhai), under the theme of "Frontier Intersection, Industry-University-Research Innovation, and the Future of the Greater Bay Area (GBA)". It is hosted by BNU Zhuhai, organized by the Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences (AINS) of BNU, Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences of BNU, and co-organized by the colleges, Youth League Committee, and Student Affairs Office of the Party Committee of BNU at Zhuhai.

This forum started in late October and will continue until December, including 15 sub forums, which aims at promoting interdisciplinary integration, building a knowledge innovation system that adapts to new economic society and the development of the times, attracting high-level scientific research platforms for Zhuhai, and serving the GBA.

At the opening ceremony, Wei Wei, Chairperson of the University Council of BNU at Zhuhai, delivered the opening speech and Professor Zengru Di, Co-Chairman of the conference, delivered the welcoming speech. Six scholars made the keynote speeches, including Kang Chong and Hongbing Shu, academicians of the CAS (Chinese Academy of Science); Jianyao Liu, chairman of Guangdong Academy of Sciences Holdings Co., Ltd.; Jian Zhou, professor of the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences of BNU; and two young talents of the AINS -Dr. Ting Ma and Dr. Ying Tang. Professor AikeGuo, the founding chairman of the conference and academician of the CAS, participated in the conference online.

Wei Wei stated that BNU Zhuhai has been holding IFFs since the establishment of the AINS in 2019, which is now the fifth season. Over the past five years, the AINS and its incubators have achieved substantive results in the field of industry, academia, and research, becoming explorers and pioneers in the construction of high-level academic platforms of BNU Zhuhai. She hopes that the IFF can continue to be held and become a brand activity of the BNU Zhuhai, injecting constant vigor into the interdisciplinary integration of humanities and sciences, as well as the deep development of Industry-University-Research Innovation, positively serving Zhuhai and the GBA.

Zengru Di stated that he has witnessed the continuous growth of IFFs. Both the exploring spirit and practical concept of "cross the river by feeling the stones ", and the establishment and integration of multidisciplinary incubators have provided abundant vitality and space for interdisciplinary research, promoting the output and commercialization of scientific and research findings. In recent years, the development and changes of IFFs have precisely confirmed the principle of systems science: "simple world, complex system".

An activity named "Integrating Moment" was specially provided during the tea break this season, performing three repertoires, including River Flows in You and the folk music Midu Mountain Song. The melodious and atmospheric style won applause from the audience, making the tea break a major highlight of 2023 opening ceremony. According to Nannan Xu , a member of Youth League committee of BNU Zhuhai , this program is all organized by the Youth League committee of BNU Zhuhai and performed by students on campus, aiming to promote the integration of art and technology, which celebrated the fifth IFF in a unique way.