Tianjin University: Leading with Courage, Innovating with Purpose

Education often mirrors societal progress, but Tianjin University (TJU)—China’s first modern university—has proven it can also be a driver of transformation. For 130 years, TJU has embodied the principles of “Daring to Lead” and “Commitment to Innovation,” establishing itself as a global pioneer in education and research.

As TJU prepares to celebrate its 130th anniversary on October 2, its legacy offers valuable lessons on courage and innovation, inspiring the world with its bold vision and meaningful contributions.

Daring to Lead: A Legacy of Bold Beginnings

Tianjin University’s story began in 1895, born out of adversity as China struggled with defeat in the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 and faced internal and external crises. Against this backdrop, visionary statesman Sheng Xuanhuai proposed the creation of a modern university, blending the Western higher education system with China’s unique needs.

Founded as Peiyang University, TJU quickly distinguished itself as a trailblazer. It became the first institution in China to issue modern diplomas, offer programs in law, engineering, mining, and mechanics, and adopt bilingual instruction. Under the leadership of its first provost, Charles Daniel Tenney—an American educator from Dartmouth and Oberlin—Peiyang University made significant progress, including the addition of a railway program in 1897, the establishment of a railway training class in 1898, the launch of French and Russian language programs to train translators in 1903, and the introduction of a teacher training program in 1907 to prepare educators. Through his efforts, Peiyang University evolved in its early years into a comprehensive modern institution, offering programs in liberal arts, law, engineering, and teacher education, thereby laying the foundation for a new type of university in China.

Over the years, TJU’s pioneering spirit has driven countless “firsts” in China. It established the nation’s first Hydraulic Engineering Laboratory, developed its first aircraft engine, and contributed to innovations ranging from color film to the first offshore oil platform. TJU’s impact extended to vital infrastructure projects like China’s first road-rail dual-use bridge and earthquake simulation devices and advanced technologies such as the “Petrel” underwater gliders.

Commitment to Innovation: Solving Real-World Problems

If “daring to lead” defines TJU’s founding spirit, “commitment to innovation” sustains its journey. Innovation at TJU is not just about breakthroughs—it’s about addressing humanity’s most pressing challenges with purpose.

One of TJU’s most iconic innovators, Professor Hou Debang, revolutionized the global chemical industry with the “Hou’s Process” for soda production in the early 20th century. By breaking Western monopolies and reducing costs, Hou empowered China’s chemical sector to achieve self-reliance. His generosity transcended borders, as demonstrated by his English monograph, Manufacture of Soda, which explicitly waived copyright protections with the statement, “Any country, any nation, may reprint this work.” This selfless act enabled countries like India and Brazil to establish their own soda ash industries. The President of the American Chemical Society hailed Hou’s selflessness, saying, “He has given away a mountain of gold as if it were a pebble!”

In recent decades, TJU has continued its legacy of innovation. Professor Yuan Yingjin and his team recently achieved a breakthrough in synthetic biology, assembling large-scale human DNA and delivering it across species, offering a potential solution to the global shortage of organ transplant donors. This milestone reflects TJU’s early investment in synthetic biology, which has propelled China to global leadership in the field.

Beyond biology, TJU excels in frontier technologies. It developed the world’s first domestically controlled brain-machine decoding chip, holds the largest portfolio of brain-machine interaction patents globally, and has advanced artificial photosynthesis and energy storage technologies. These achievements exemplify TJU’s mission to innovate with purpose, addressing critical global challenges such as renewable energy and healthcare.

“TJU doesn’t just innovate for the sake of progress,” notes Prof. Chai Liyuan, TJU President. “We innovate with purpose—to create solutions that matter.”

Bridging Global Vision and Local Responsibility

Since its founding, TJU has balanced a global outlook with a deep commitment to China’s development. Today, the university collaborates with over 260 institutions across 50 countries and attracts talent worldwide.

TJU’s ability to integrate global and local perspectives is evident in its approach to engineering education. Through initiatives like the International Alliance for Engineering Education and the National Innovation Center for Engineering Education, TJU has redefined interdisciplinary education. Programs like “AI-Enhanced Emerging Engineering” embed artificial intelligence into fields such as chemical engineering and materials science, equipping students with the skills needed for an intelligent and digital age.

On September 21, 2025, the university hosted the International Conference on Engineering Education Development, bringing together nearly 1,000 attendees from over 90 universities across five continents. Elizabeth Taylor, President of the International Engineering Alliance, remarked, “It’s a very impressive university, and they are certainly establishing their leadership in the transformation of engineering education.” Together, participants explored challenges and opportunities, shaping a new blueprint for global engineering education development.

Lessons for the Future

As TJU celebrates 130 years of history, its principles of courage and innovation resonate far beyond its campus. In a world often paralyzed by uncertainty, TJU demonstrates the power of bold action and relentless purpose.

TJU’s story is not just about a university—it’s about the human capacity to dream, create, and persevere. By pairing vision with action and ambition with truth, TJU has become a symbol of what education can achieve for humanity.

Looking ahead, Tianjin University’s journey is far from over. With its unwavering dedication to innovation and bold vision for the future, it is poised to continue shaping not only China’s destiny but also the world’s. As its anthem proudly declares:

“May we, with unity and virtue, uphold the university’s honor forever.”

By Eva Yiin