On August 21, the welcome ceremony for the 2025 cohort of undergraduate students of the Department of Chemical Engineering was held in Room 2101 of the Third Teaching Building. Attendees of the event included Jin Yong, Professor of the Department of Chemical Engineering and Member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Lu Yangcheng, Secretary of the Party Committee of the Department; Zhang Qiang, Dean of the Department of Chemical Engineering; faculty representatives; 2025 new undergraduates and their relatives and friends. The orientation meeting was hosted by Duan Ansheng from Class Hua 33 and Tan Huiqun from Class Fen 4.
Remarks by Professor Zhang Qiang
Professor Zhang Qiang extended a warm welcome to the incoming students on behalf of all faculty and students of the department. He provided a detailed introduction to the department’s history, its achievements in discipline development, research advancements, and talent training, as well as its future plans. He encouraged students to inherit the department’s fine tradition of “starting with myself, starting now,” to pursue scientific excellence, and to shoulder the mission of strengthening the nation through education and science. He urged them to integrate their personal aspirations with national development, contributing wherever the Party and the people need them most.
Remarks by Professor Jin Yong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering
Drawing from his more than sixty years of experience in the Department of Chemical Engineering, Professor Jin Yong shared profound reflections on scientific research and life. He emphasized that chemical engineering is an integrated discipline involving matter, energy, and information transfer and transformation—highly interdisciplinary and at the forefront of innovation—providing a strong foundation for students' future development. Using the analogy that “chemical engineers are second only to God in creating materials,” he highlighted the tremendous potential of chemical synthesis and encouraged students to cherish their time at Tsinghua, study diligently, and respond to the needs of the times with innovation. He urged them to realize the unity of personal value and societal contribution in the broad field of chemical engineering.
Remarks by Professor Wang Baoguo
Speaking as a faculty representative, Professor Wang Baoguo shared his experiences from studying and working in the Department of Chemical Engineering and conveyed three hopes for the new students. He encouraged them to value physical exercise in order to build strong bodies and resilient minds—the foundation for “working for the motherland for fifty years in good health.” He emphasized the importance of strengthening their fundamentals in mathematics, science, and engineering, and of bravely challenging the frontiers of scientific research. He also urged the students to embody the Tsinghua spirit by becoming individuals who are “self-disciplined and socially responsible,” demonstrating both the drive to innovate and lead as well as the humility to collaborate and contribute.
Remarks by Cheng Guanzhi
As an alumni representative, Mr. Cheng Guanzhi shared over ten years of experience participating in high-speed rail materials research after graduating from Tsinghua Chemical Engineering. Reflecting on his journey from novice engineer to leading national projects and overcoming foreign technological barriers, he encouraged new students to “stay grounded and work steadily,” cultivating both deep expertise and a strong sense of responsibility. He urged them to cherish their time at Tsinghua, plan wisely, explore boldly, collaborate effectively, and “waste neither a day nor a step,” accumulating strength in Tsinghua to shine wherever the nation needs them.
Remarks by Chen Zhuo
Professor Chen Zhuo, drawing upon her experiences as both a student and faculty member in the department, extended heartfelt greetings and expectations to the new students. She encouraged them to adopt a “beginner’s mindset,” build strong foundations, and embrace curiosity in academic exploration. She highlighted the importance of applying an “engineer’s mindset” to integrate knowledge with practice and enhance the ability to solve complex engineering problems. She also encouraged students to engage actively with the community and pursue holistic development. She concluded with blessings for the new students using symbolic elements of chemical engineering such as “catalysts” and “distillation columns.”
Remarks by Wang Yiming
As a representative of the counselors, Wang Yiming shared sincere words based on his five years of growth in the Department of Chemical Engineering. He encouraged the 2025 cohort to “dare to explore and follow their passions,” to listen to their inner voice, and to take personal responsibility for their lives. He urged them to accept “ordinary moments” without accepting “mediocrity,” believing that every challenge shapes a stronger version of oneself.
Remarks by Min Lang and Chen Renjie
Freshman representatives Min Lang of Class Chemical Engineering 53 and Chen Renjie of the Tanwei College expressed their excitement for university life and their determination to shoulder the responsibilities of their era. They pledged to uphold Tsinghua’s tradition of “working for the motherland for fifty years in good health,” to act with the spirit of “self-discipline and perseverance,” and to integrate personal aspirations with the needs of the times, serving society through professional excellence.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, a slideshow of photos from the students’ registration day was shown. Each image captured the bright smiles of students entering Tsinghua for the first time, their first encounters with teachers and classmates, and the warm scenes of families helping them move in. In this warm and joyful atmosphere, the welcome ceremony for the 2025 undergraduate cohort of the Department of Chemical Engineering came to a successful close.
Group Photo
