Ma Xinbin, dean of SCETCredit: School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University
What is SCET’s mission?
We are committed to training excellent students, producing first-class research results, and contributing to national development. With these goals, we have promoted higher education reform in chemical engineering, gathered top-notch faculty members to promote technological innovation, and broadened international collaboration. We have also driven the development of the chemical engineering industry.
How did SCET build academic strength throughout its long history?
During its 125-year history, Tianjin University has been home to many generations of academic leaders, and a cradle for student training. As early as the 1920s, Peiyang University, the predecessor of Tianjin University, constructed a lecture hall for industrial chemistry, which attracted renowned chemical engineering experts including Hou Tepang and later, Ding Xuhuai to work with us. This built a solid foundation for our academic programmes and for talents training in chemical engineering. During the nationwide university restructuring in 1952, the merge of chemical engineering departments of seven prestigious universities gathered a group of experts in the field, as well as young talents in Tianjin, further strengthening our status. In the 1980s, our push to drive industry development via academia-industry collaboration led to our rapid development. From 2003 to 2017, SCET consistently ranked number one in evaluations of chemical engineering and technology disciplines by the Ministry of Education of China. In 2017, we were selected for the national ‘double first-class’ initiative, marking a new chapter of development.
What makes SCET such a fine chemical engineering training programme?
As one of the first two Asian schools, and the first in China, to have achieved the Master Level accreditation by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), we boast strong international acclaim. Our graduates become internationally certified highly competitive chemical engineers.
SCET takes pride in educating world-class engineers who are committed to achieving technical excellence and seeking answers from facts.
A curriculum system was established accordingly to focus on students’ problem-solving capabilities. We have also set up an educational platform integrating enterprise practicum, engineering skill training, research, academic contests, and entrepreneurship, supported by our advanced teaching facilities. Our students have won multiple prizes in national and global contests, including the AIChE Outstanding Student Chapter award.
Our leadership role in chemical engineering education is also demonstrated in a partnership with other prestigious Chinese universities designed to improve curriculum development and training for the field. The guidelines and accreditation systems we set for professional training are recognized with national awards.
The broadening of chemical engineering education signifies the new growth of SCET. To date, we have attracted international students from more than 50 countries in six continents, who bring in fresh energy to SCET’s programmes, enhancing our globalization and diversity.
How do you enhance your programme via collaboration?
An open attitude is key to building a world-class programme in chemical engineering. We have established partnerships with world-renowned universities and research institutions, including the University of Edinburgh, and the University of California, Berkeley. These have allowed for student exchanges, making our training programme more global. Our network also extends to international companies such as Clariant and AstraZeneca, with collaboration bases established for research project cooperation and student internship. We have also organized international conferences that attracted world-class experts. These collaborations promote knowledge and cultural exchange.