131 Years of Excellence: Happy Birthday!

On October 2, 2026, Tianjin University (TJU), China's first modern university, marks its 131st anniversary. Today, TJU remains a steadfast contributor to global innovation and social progress, addressing the most pressing challenges through focused development and strategic foresight.

A Talent-Driven University for a New Era

TJU’s 131st year is defined by a profound commitment to cultivating visionary talent. The university has unveiled “TJU Plan 3.0” , a strategic framework for emerging engineering education designed to cultivate the next generation of innovators.

Aligning with the evolution of future industries, TJU has strategically positioned itself across 11 frontier fields, including artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence. Furthermore, the university has pioneered China’s first undergraduate majors in brain-computer science and technology, as well as biomanufacturing.

To empower young scholars, TJU introduced the "U35 Plan", fast-tracking exceptional researchers under the age of 35 to full professorships based on their future potential.

From Laboratory to Lifesaving Impact

National-level leading talents, top industry experts and leading enterprises converge at TJU, forming a robust foundation for the university. This ecosystem has yielded landmark achievements. In medical technology, notably, the "Shengong-Shengao" system became China's first approved brain-computer interface (BCI) medical device for diagnosing cognitive impairment. Developed by a team led by Professor Liu Xiuyun, the system reduces diagnosis time for conditions like hydrocephalus from days to just 30 minutes.

Expanding this medical innovation, the 'Shenguang' system measures intracranial pressure without open-skull surgery, while 'Sinan' utilizes augmented reality for vascular navigation, and 'Shenshu' serves as the intelligent core of smart operating rooms. Through these innovations, TJU has established a comprehensive BCI innovation ecosystem. More than 20 'Shengong' series devices have successfully transitioned from the laboratory to clinical wards, delivering tangible benefits to thousands of patients.

This spirit of "top-tier, grounded" research—aiming for the highest scientific peaks while solving real-world problems—permeates the campus. In 2025, TJU researchers were lead contributors to five National Science and Technology Awards.

Furthermore, the university’s academic excellence on the world stage is underscored by its three ESI global top 1‱ disciplines—Chemistry, Engineering, and Materials Science.

With a focus on strategic clusters, a talent-driven approach, and a commitment to solving global pressing challenges, Tianjin University at 131 is not just celebrating its past—it is actively engineering a better future.

By Sun Xiaofang