Tianjin University Commemorates 130th Anniversary

On the morning of October 2, Tianjin University (formerly Peiyang University) held a grand High-Quality Development Summit on the Peiyangyuan campus, in celebration of its 130th anniversary. The event was attended by faculty, students, alumni, and guests from home and abroad.

In a congratulatory letter addressed to all faculty, students, and staff on this milestone, President Xi Jinping extended his warm wishes and expressed his expectations for the university's future development. He called on Tianjin University to align with the nation's major strategic needs, carry out deep reform in teaching and research, and enhance talent cultivation to better serve economic and social development, thereby contributing to China's endeavor to achieve strength in education, science and technology, and modernization.

Ninety-seven-year-old alumnus Xu Zhiyan and ninety-five-year-old alumnus Fang Huacan attended the ceremony. Their lifelong achievements were held up as treasured examples of the university's legacy.

The summit brought together leaders from the Ministry of Education, officials of the Tianjin Municipal Government, and presidents of numerous peer universities across China, alongside academicians, distinguished scholars, alumni representatives, and other honored guests.

The university's Party Secretary Yang Xianjin presided over the meeting. At 10:02 a.m., the opening ceremony began with the national anthem. 

Ren Youqun, Vice Minister of Education, read President Xi's letter and delivered remarks, praising Tianjin University's achievements and emphasizing the importance of guiding higher education reform and development nationwide. He emphasized the need to advance comprehensive institutional reforms aimed at strengthening governance and enhancing educational quality, as well as to improve the organization of scientific research in order to stimulate innovation and better serve national development.

Liu Guiping, on behalf of Tianjin's municipal government, expressed congratulations and affirmed the city's commitment to support the university’s development in tandem with the city's overall development. He underscored University–City integration and the shared pursuit of prosperity.

Tianjin University President Chai Liyuan delivered a keynote speech in which he reviewed the university's historic journey as China's first modern university. He noted that over the past decade, coinciding with the national "Double First-Class" initiative, the institution has refined its talent training system, strengthened its faculty, and made notable progress in advancing scientific autonomy and contributing to high-quality development. Looking ahead, he pledged that Tianjin University would follow the guidance of President Xi's letter to cultivate forward-looking talent, reshape paradigms of excellence, and explore new paths to support China’s modernization.

Li Luming, President of Tsinghua University and representative of peer institutions, delivered a congratulatory address in which he highlighted the shared traditions and longstanding cooperation between Tsinghua and Tianjin University, and affirmed the two universities’ common commitment to further collaboration in advancing China's higher education.

From overseas, Hu Shixin, Chancellor of the University of California, Riverside and an alumnus of Tianjin University, sent a video message in which he commended his alma mater's remarkable contributions over the past 130 years in talent cultivation, national development, and global science, and pledged to further deepen collaboration in the years ahead.

Alumnus Lin Songhua, chairman of Xiamen Yingqu Technology and founder of the Chunshui Foundation, recalled his decades-long dedication to supporting his alma mater, including significant recent contributions, and reaffirmed his commitment to advancing the university’s high-quality development.

Professor Yu Yixin, an academician and longtime faculty member, reflected on his 71 years at Tianjin University. He described leading efforts in key research fields such as smart grids, intelligent power systems, and urban energy infrastructure, and affirmed his dedication to continuing to nurture future generations who serve the nation.

Student representative Li Yaozhen shared his personal journey since 2019, highlighting his team's achievement in combining generative AI with lightweight 3D modeling, which won national recognition and attracted investment interest. Currently a PhD candidate, he is conducting research on network computing chips, and expressed his determination to pursue original innovation, address challenges in core technologies, and contribute to the country’s scientific and technological strength.

In his closing remarks, Yang Xianjin emphasized that the summit had charted a clear course for Tianjin University's future development and underscored its broader responsibility within China's higher education landscape. He reiterated the university's commitments to centering on talent cultivation, strengthening basic research, and striving toward its goal of becoming a world-class institution. The summit concluded with a collective performance of the Tianjin University anthem, and was broadcast live across campus and through online platforms, with simultaneous venues at various campus locations and branch campuses, enabling broad participation.

As Tianjin University embarks on its next 130 years, it pledges to remain true to its founding mission, contribute new wisdom and strength to national rejuvenation, and demonstrate leadership in China's journey toward building a world-class system of higher education.

By: Qin Mian