2016 is the first year of operation of the new Peiyang Park Campus and with that Tianjin University took a concrete and bold step forward towards achieving the “Double First-class” goal.

We take a look at some of the top stories from the past year.

32 Projects Win National and Tianjin Science and Technology Awards

 

 

On January 8, 2016, the first project contributions from Tianjin University, won a second prize from the National Technology Invention Award and four second prizes from the National Science and Technology Progress Awards. Its total number of awards were among the top colleges and universities nationwide. On February 23, another 27 Tianjin University projects won Tianjin Science and Technology Awards, including seven first prizes, five second prizes, and five third prizes. Both the total number of prizes and the number of first prizes ranked TJU in first place municipally. The prizes covered technology invention, natural science, and science and technology projects.

Focus on “Double First-class” Strategy

 

 

On March 18, 2016, the plenary (enlarged) eighth session of the ninth CPC Tianjin University Committee was held and defined the basic tasks of Tianjin University in 2016. On July 2, 2016 Tianjin University initiated the “Double First-class” goal in line with the 13th “Five-year” Plan.

Financing 70 Million Yuan to Establish Student Loans

On March 31, 2016, the “Mingde Student Loan” and the “Zhishan Student Loan” were initiated. The two student loans amounted to 70 million yuan, mainly to support students with financial difficulties and excellent students to further study abroad. The student loans were donated by Tianjin University alumni Wang Weizheng, Chairman of Tianjin Daan Group, Liu Yi, Chairman of the Andon Health Company Limited, and Ma Ruren, Chairman of Ren Ai Group.

2016 Tianjin University · Crabapple Season

On April 9, 2016, Tianjin University celebrated the 2016 Crabapple Season by organizing 77 events and activities at the Weijin Road Campus and the Peiyang Park Campus. These events and activities included a campus tour, performance, Tianjin University History Museum tour, alumni reception, and exhibitions of technology and culture.

About 20,000 people attended the event.

The 13th “Five-Year” Plan Launched

On April 18, 2016, the Expert Consulting Conference for the university’s 13th “Five-Year” Plan was held. Five invited experts put forward suggestions to further improve the plan and during the Double Representative Assembly held between June 3-6, 2016, the Plan was approved.

Remembering Wu Yongshi, the Former President of Tianjin University

On April 23, 2016, everyone including faculty, colleagues, students, and alumni who knew Wu Yongshi, one of Tianjin University’s ex-Presidents grieved his passing. Wu Yongshi, the pioneer of the development of higher education reform in contemporary China and the former president of Tianjin University, ended his 89-year life journey. CPC Central Committee Vice Premier Liu Yandong expressed her condolences and sent a wreath. Government leaders of Tianjin also sent condolence messages, wreaths, or entered the mourning hall to mourn.

Two Sessions of Peiyang Forum for Young Scholars Forums Held

 

 

On April 28, 2016 and December 28, 2016, two sessions of Peiyang Forum for Young Scholars were held. At each forum, hundreds of excellent young scholars from all over the world attended to exchange their views on world cutting-edge scientific and technological issues. Over ten sub-fora were held by schools after each session to attract young talent, covering chemistry, physics, mathematics, environment, chemical engineering, machinery, materials, computer, civil engineering, instrument, electrical engineering, and information technology.

Tianjin University Establishes Institute of Data Science

 

 

On May 4, 2016, Tianjin University established the Institute of Data Science. The Institute will bring together world-renowned experts in computer science and software, management and finance, mathematics, library and information, engineering, and data applications, to promote interdisciplinary development and innovation.

Double Representative Assembly Held

Between June 3 and 6, 2016, the Double Representative Assembly (the 8th representative assembly of the Tianjin University faculty and staff and the 16th representative assembly of the union members) was held. 574 representatives attended the meeting. The meeting discussed and reviewed the 13th “Five-Year” Plan of Tianjin University, working reports of the Trade Unions and the Teachers’ Representative Committee, and Assembly Resolutions.

China-ASEAN Engtech University Presidents Forum Held

On August 2, 2016, the China-ASEAN Engtech University Presidents Forum, organized by Northwestern Polytechnic University, Tianjin University, and ASEAN-China Center (ACC) was held in Guiyang. Over a hundred representatives from more than 30 universities from China and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) attended and discussed the challenges and opportunities of China-ASEAN higher education under “One Belt, One Road Initiative”. Tianjin University reported on their efforts and achievements to promote the cooperation among universities from China and ASEAN.

TJU and the Qinghai Provincial Government Sign Strategic Cooperation Framework Agreement

On August 8, 2016, Tianjin University and the Qinghai Provincial Government signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement. This present cooperation protocol between the province and the university will promote bilateral multi-level and cooperative communication in various fields. Moreover, it will play a positive role in Qinghai province’s talent cultivation, innovation-driven industrial upgrading.

Yang Haitao’s Team Discovered the Mystery of Zika Virus’ Reproduction

Zika Virus infection can result in microcephaly, causing severe brain malformations, and other birth defects. In 2016, Yang Haitao’s team, from Tianjin University’s School of Life Sciences, made significant progress in research of the Zika Virus. Yang’s team showed the crystal structure of Zika Virus helicase, discovered the mystery of Zika Virus’ reproduction, and screened out Zika Virus inhibitors. The discovery will help to develop antiviral drugs against the huge threat posed by the virus.

A Documentary Book about “Tianjin University’s Eighteen” Made its Debut

On September 9, 2016, Tianjin University held the 32nd Teacher's Day symposium and the debut ceremony of the book A Documentary Book about “Tianjin University’s Eighteen”. At the same time, TJU launched the second phase of the project of finding teachers and scholars with distinguished professional ethics and competence, which aimed to explore good methods to strengthen the construction of the college teachers' morality.

Academician Chen Yushu Earns “The Most Noble and Excellent Teacher" Title

On September 10, 2016, the ceremony to award the title of "The Most Noble and Excellent Teacher", a branded program of CCTV, was broadcast on its Synthetic Channel. Chen Yushu, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and Professor of Tianjin University, took the podium to proudly receive the honor.

Achievements with "Tiangong-2" and “Shenzhou XI” to Complete Space Mission

 

 

On October 17, 2016, the Shenzhou XI spacecraft was sent skyward carrying two astronauts, and will dock with the Space Laboratory of Tiangong-2 which was launched successfully on September 15. Two scientific and technological achievements of Tianjin University are on board: the world's first in-orbit brain-computer interface of mental load, visual functions and other functional ergonomic test systems and an astronaut’s dedicated damping cushion seat. Both were on the "Tiangong-2" and "Shenzhou XI” as they complete their historical mission in space.

Tianjin University Commemorates 100th Anniversary of Shi Shaoxi

On September 25, 2016, Tianjin University held a forum to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the birth of Shi Shaoxi, former president of TJU and the pioneer of the Strategy of Invigorating China through the Development of Science and Education. TJU also held a series of memorial exhibitions in the two campuses. In addition, alumni and enterprises donated up to 5 million Yuan to maintain the development of “Shi Shaoxi Technology Education Foundation”. A statue of Shi Shaoxi was unveiled on December 28 in Peiyangyuan campus.

Tianjin University Receives 15 Million Yuan to Set up a Virtual Reality Center

On September 29, Shenzhen Hua Bao Technology Co., Ltd., Zhuhai Shiji DingLi Co., Ltd. and Beijing Raka Business Service Co., Ltd. donated 15 million yuan to set up a fund for the construction of the Tianjin University virtual reality experimental teaching center. The center will carry out practice and demonstrations on water conservation facilities, animation, industrial design, digital medical diagnosis and other fields. The construction of the center was officially launched at Peiyangyuan campus on November 17, 2016.

Tianjin University Makes Adjustments to the Leadership

On September 30, 2016, Li Jiajun, then Tianjin University President, was appointed Party Secretary of Tianjin University, and Zhong Denghua appointed as President of Tianjin University.

In July, according to a notice from the Ministry of Education, Shu Gequn was appointed as Vice Party Secretary, Sun Guangping, Vice Party Secretary and Secretary of Committee for Discipline Inspection, Hu Wenping, Vice President of Tianjin University, and Lei Ming, Vice Party Secretary.

Tianjin University National 1000 Talent Scholar Shares the Nobel Prize

On October 5, 2016, Sir J. Fraser Stoddart and two other scholars were awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the design and synthesis of molecular machines. Sir J. Fraser Stoddart is a short-term National 1000 Talent Scholar in the School of Pharmaceutical Science and Technology at Tianjin University and his efforts have been recognized by numerous awards.

Tianjin University Founds the Wang Ch'ung-hui Research Society

On October 10, 2016, Tianjin University held a conference to commemorate the 135th Anniversary of the birth of Wang Ch’ung-hui and to celebrate his achievements in law, during which the Wang Ch’ung-hui Research Society was founded.

"Qiushi Pavilion" being Rebuilt in its Original Appearance

"Qiushi Pavilion", located by the Jingye Lake at WeiJin Road campus, had fallen into disrepair, thus creating some safety hazards. Therefore, on October 18, 2016, Tianjin University demolished it. A new "Qiushi Pavilion" retaining the appearance of the original will be established in the same site.

Activities Held to Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Long March

 

 

On October 23, 2016, Tianjin University organized a series of educational activities to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Red Army’s Long March with the theme of "Memorizing the Years of the Long March and Conveying the Sense of Patriotism". Almost 300 students participated in the activities including military training, knowledge competitions and attending memorial meetings.

Tianjin University Starts 2016“Reading Month” Activities

 

 

On November 10, 2016, Tianjin University launched 2016 “Reading Month” activities with the theme of “Learning about China, Knowing the World”. Relevant offices and schools have established 8 modules of the activities during the “Reading Month”, such as “Classic Reading Guidance”, “Reading Palace”, and “Reading Together”. It is thought that they can create an atmosphere for reading under the guidance of reading the classics.

Tianjin University Makes Significant Adjustments to Disciplinary Layout

Tianjin University adjusted and optimized its disciplinary layout. On November 29, 2016, the School of Mathematics was established. On December 2, 2016, the School of Electrical Automation and Information Engineering was established which consists of the three level I disciplines and majors including electrical engineering, control science and engineering, and information and communication engineering. The School of Microelectronics (established on September 23, 2015) officially began to run independently.

Co-establishing the Georgia Tech Tianjin University Shenzhen Institute

 

 

On December 2, 2016, Tianjin University, Georgia Tech, and Shenzhen Municipal People’s Government signed an agreement to co-establish the Georgia Tech Tianjin University Shenzhen Institute, to cultivate outstanding talent with global vision, innovative spirit and practical ability. On December 6, a delegation from Georgia Tech visited Tianjin University. The two sides reached a consensus on the future of development planning, the operation model and organizational structure of the Georgia Tech Tianjin University Shenzhen Institute.