On the morning of September 20, the 2025 “First Lesson in Chemical Engineering” was held in the East Lecture Hall. The event was organized by the Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China and hosted by the Department of Chemical Engineering at Tsinghua University. The lecture featured Professor Zhu Shiping, Vice President of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Fellow of the Canadian Academy of Engineering, Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, and Fellow of the World Academy of Sciences, as the keynote speaker. The session was chaired by Professor Wang Kai, Vice Dean of the Department of Chemical Engineering.

Lecture by Professor Zhu Shiping

Professor Zhu Shiping delivered the “First Lesson in Chemical Engineering” by addressing two fundamental questions—“What is chemical engineering?” and “What does chemical engineering do?” Drawing upon the historical evolution of the modern discipline and everyday examples, he systematically explained the key research areas and emerging frontiers of chemical engineering. He vividly demonstrated the crucial role that chemical engineering plays in improving human quality of life and promoting sustainable societal development, helping students deepen their understanding of the discipline’s professional essence and social value while strengthening their sense of pride and identity in the field.

Professor Zhu emphasized that outstanding engineering talent must possess not only solid scientific and technical foundations but also strong humanistic literacy and keen market awareness. He encouraged students to broaden their studies during their undergraduate years by engaging with the humanities, economics, and management, developing systems thinking, interdisciplinary communication skills, and innovative consciousness. He also highlighted that the value of engineering achievements ultimately lies in their successful industrial application; therefore, understanding market needs and mastering the processes of technology transfer are equally essential.

During the interactive session, Professor Zhu answered questions from the students.

Event Participation

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.