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The Spotlight:
The College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University
Dean of the College of Civil Engineering, Tongji University, Dr Ying Zhou talks about the school's reputation, motto, and future aspirations in this interview.
“Thanks to the concerted effort of all the faculty and students, COVID-19 had a limited effect on education and academic research in the university.”
QS: From 2017 to 2022, Tongji University has ranked one in the discipline of civil engineering by Shanghai's Academic Ranking of World Universities. How has this reputation been continuously cultivated?
The civil engineering education at Tongji University started in 1914, and the College of Civil Engineering consists of five departments, i.e., the Department of Structural Engineering, the Department of Geotechnical Engineering, the Department of Bridge Engineering, the Department of Disaster Mitigation for Structures, and Department of Hydraulic Engineering. The reputation of the College is outstanding in faculty quality, education quality, and academic achievements. Our education emphasizes both basic theories and practical skills for future engineers and researchers. Currently, there are 369 staff members in the College, among which there are 8 members of Chinese Academy of Sciences or Chinese Academy of Engineering, 2 foreign members of the Chinese Academy of Engineering, 1 member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts, 1 member of the Belgian Royal Flemish Academy of Sciences and Arts, and 2 members of the Engineering Academy of Japan. Besides, the College has first-class facilities hosted in the State Key Laboratory of Disaster Reduction in Civil Engineering, International Joint Research Laboratory of Earthquake Engineering, National Research Center of Prefabricated Engineering Technology for Civil Construction, and other laboratories at an internationally leading edge undertaking a large number of major research and consulting projects.
QS: The motto of Tongji University is 'rigorous, realistic, unity and innovation'. What is the story behind this motto?
Tongji University was founded in 1907 with the goal of growing with China and serving the world with science and education. The university motto “rigorous, realistic, unity and innovation” reflects the vision and the original intention of cultivating talents for developing the country and changing the world.
QS: The past few years have proved challenging for everyone because of COVID-19. How did COVID-19 affect Tongji University in particular? Now that travel restrictions in China have been removed, how will that affect Tongji University?
Thanks to the concerted effort of all the faculty and students, COVID-19 had a limited effect on education and academic research in the university. After the travel restrictions are removed, international cooperation will be further enhanced, and Tongji University will hold more offline academic exchanges. Scholars from all over the world are welcome to collaborate with us in a variety of ways that benefit both.
QS: What are the key priorities and values of Tongji University both regionally and globally?
Tongji University has provided strong scientific and technical support to significant international and national strategies, including but not restricted to the project of resilience architecture system (New Zealand), the Belt and Road Initiative (China), and the World Exhibition or Exposition 2010 Shanghai.
“Tongji University will continue to serve the world through science and education with full enthusiasm.”
QS: According to your website, Tongji University owns first-class facilities such as highly developed laboratories that simulate events and even real-life disasters, which help students practice their problem-solving. Can you tell us more about this and the consulting projects associated with it?
Tongji University is equipped with 17 national research platforms (including 3 national key laboratories), and 97 ministerial and provincial research platforms. The University has established the world’s largest “Multi-Functional Shaking Table Center,” the nation’s first “Automotive Wind Tunnel Center,” the “Comprehensive Test Platform for Urban Rail Transit,” and the nation’s first “National Long-term Seabed Observatory System,” among others. Tongji University also conducted cutting-edge scientific research in the fields of long-span bridge construction, seismic design, intelligent urban traffic, urban sewage treatment, domestic intellectual greenhouse, and remote sensing information research.
QS: What kind of exchange programs and international partnerships does Tongji University engage in?
Tongji University has established 12 international cooperation platforms in partnership with Germany, France, Italy, Finland, Spain, United Nations agencies, etc. The university signed a memorandum of understanding with over 200 international universities and co-founded research centres with multinational enterprises such as Volkswagen, Siemens, Bayer, and IBM. The university initiated the “China Green University Network (CGUN)” and the “International Green Campus Alliance (IGCA)”, and acted as the first President. It was also elected as the League President of the Global Universities Partnership on Environment for Sustainability (GUPES) under the United Nations Environment Programme, and became the first Asian university to win the “Excellence in Campus Award” at the meeting organized by International Sustainable Campus Network.
QS: What are the future aspirations of Tongji University in the global higher education space?
Tongji University will continue to serve the world through science and education with full enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the university is committed to becoming a destination for excellent scholars and students all over the world.