On Jan. 19, 2007, the 8^th academic consultative committee of the ITPCAS kicked off in Beijing, gathering Chinese academicians such as professors Sun Honglie, Sun Shu, Zhou Xiuji, Li Wenhua, Zheng Du, Ma Zongjin, Wu Guoxiong, Li Tingdong, Yao Zhenxing, Ding Guoyu, Zhong Dalai, Teng Jiwen, Zhang Xinshi, Li Xiaowen, Ding Zhongli, Xiao Xuchang, Zhang Mianping, Feng Zongwei and Jiang Youxu, as well as distinguished research staff like professors Fu Bojie, Yao Tangdong, Liu Xiaohan, and Gaoxing.

Chinese academician Prof Sun Honglie presides over the committee, which hears Prof Yao Tandong’s report on progress of the institute achieved last year and other reports on progress achieved in monitoring station construction or significant scientific activities. Among these, Prof Kang Shichang talks about operation of the Nam Co Monitoring and Observation Station, Prof Zhu Liping about constructiong of the Station for Alpine Environment in Southeast Tibet, and Prof Ma Yaoming about the work on the Qomolangma Station. Representative scientists of the institute also share their scientific activities with the participants. Prof Zhao Junmeng presents his study of probing geophysics on the Tibetan Plateau. Prof Ding Lin reports on last year’s scientific expedition to Kekexili. Prof Liu Jing addresses her work of setting up GPS on the Plateau for continuous monitoring and observation. And Prof Tian Lide reports on the expedition to Naimonani glacier last year and the current phase in the ice core study.

After the presentations, participant experts take turns to offer suggestions on the future development of the institute. Concerning organization and implementation of the programs, some experts ask the scientists to follow the world scientific research frontiers, while meeting the national strategic demands. In respect of academic subjects, some suggest on a persistent and holistic research evolving around national key innovative fields. As to the construction of field monitoring and observation stations, they hope to see a combination of academic research with unique environmental features in their further effort. They also advise on international cooperation, which should be mastered by the institute itself and be pushed by more talents yielded by international cooperation, program implementation, and the intitute’s potential role in helping realizing sustainable development of the region by offering more scientifically reliable opinions for policy making.