Chinese President Xi Jinping visits Tsinghua University ahead of its 110th anniversary

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Tsinghua University on April 19, ahead of its 110th Anniversary.

Xi visited the Academy of Arts and Design, a laboratory on imaging and intelligence, an exhibition on the university's key education and scientific research achievements, and a gymnasium.

He learned about Tsinghua's reform, human resources development, innovation in education and scientific research, as well as the university's role in serving national development, before meeting representatives of the faculty and students at a symposium and delivering a key speech.

Tsinghua University celebrates 110th anniversary

Tsinghua University held its 110th anniversary ceremony at New Tsinghua Xuetang, on April 25. The theme of the anniversary celebration was “Strive for Excellence; Innovate for the Future.” Alumni, teachers and students and friends from around the world watched the conference online.

Tsinghua University also held a grand gala to celebrate its 110th anniversary on the night of April 25 at Zijing Sports Field. The gala was composed of 15 segments in four parts, “Origin: Source of the Spirit,” “Campus: Path of Youth,” “Destiny: Ties of Kinship” and “Union: A Dream of Time and Space.”

Global universities seek more openness, integration, and resilience to address global issues at GFUP 2021

Tsinghua University hosted the Global Forum of University Presidents (GFUP 2021) on April 24, the eve of its 110th anniversary, bringing together university leaders from all around the world to discuss the future development of higher education and the evolving mission of universities during periods of rapid change. The theme of the Forum was “Innovate for the Future: Vision and New Mission of Universities.” The GFUP 2021 brought together leaders and representatives from more than 330 universities worldwide, 77 international organizations, academic institutions, university alliances and industry partners. Likewise, over 300 representatives from leading Chinese universities and high schools attended the Forum on site.

The GFUP 2021 released the Tsinghua Consensus, in which university leaders pledged their shared commitment to accelerate the development of higher education by fostering greater openness, integration, and resilience in our institutions.”

"On the University" Series held to mark Tsinghua’s 110th anniversary

Tsinghua University hosted a special five-forum “On the University” series as part of its anniversary celebration from April 12 to April 16. The forums explored Tsinghua’s contributions in the five themes: Openness, Innovation, Philanthropy, Sustainable Development, and Thoughts. The 110th Anniversary “On The University” series of forum was broadcast live in two languages, Chinese and English, around the world. Tsinghua President Qiu Yong said the “On the University” series demonstrated a heart-warming and pragmatic anniversary celebration with a spirit of sharing, committed to the anniversary theme "Strive for Excellence, Innovate for the Future."

Tsinghua launches ‘Global Hybrid Classroom’

At the beginning of the 2021 Spring semester, Tsinghua University launched the “Global Hybrid Classroom” project, leveraging hybrid education to share the vision of a more innovative, integrated, and international education, regardless of physical distance.Through the project, students from both Tsinghua and leading overseas universities will have the opportunity to take online courses hosted by different universities and obtain credits.

Medical and Health experts urge China-US cooperation on global COVID-19 vaccine efforts

Leading public health experts from China and the U.S. urged the world’s two largest economies to join forces in expanding global access to COVID-19 vaccines for a speedy global economy recovery at a webinar co-hosted by Tsinghua University and the Brookings Institution on March 1. Tsinghua University President Qiu Yong and the Brookings Institution President John R. Allen delivered their opening remarks at the webinar entitled “Fast Track to Recovery: US-China Collaboration on COVID-19 Prevention and Treatment.”

President Qiu said Tsinghua was looking forward to working together with the Brook ings Institution and the global community to facilitate a faster recovery from the pandemic through academic exchanges and research collaboration.

AUA holds Board meeting to discuss plans for next year

The Asian Universities Alliance (AUA) held its 2021 Board meeting on April 8 to review its past activities and set its plans and programs for the next year. Tsinghua President Qiu Yong, who also serves as the AUA President, reviewed the alliance’s past achievements and announced major decisions made by the AUA Board during the meeting held online.

Proposed by Tsinghua and founded in 2017, the AUA is a university alliance of 15 Asian universities that strives to jointly address regional and global challenges, specifically related to higher education and economic, scientific and technological development, by strengthening collaboration among member institutions.

China-UK Humanities Alliance for Higher Education holds its first 2021 executive council meeting

The Executive Council of the China-UK Humanities Alliance for Higher Education convened its first meeting for the year 2021 online on April 14, as Tsinghua University began its 110th Anniversary celebrations. At the meeting co-hosted by Tsinghua University and the University of Exeter, representatives of the Alliance member Higher Education institutions exchanged their views on the alliance's future plans and events, including the upcoming annual summit in May under the theme of “Reimagining the Global.”

Tsinghua releases its first report on SDGs

Tsinghua University launched its first report on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the fourth forum of the anniversary special "On the University" series on April 15. The report prepared by the Institute for Sustainable Development Goals of Tsinghua University (TUSDG) highlights the University’s efforts and endeavors to implement the 17 UN SDGs over the years and shows the commitment for joining hands with other universities to promote the SDGs in the future.

Global Forum of Public Health School Deans sheds light on health in a changing world

On April 21, the Global Forum of Public Health School Deans, with the theme “Health in a Changing World, Innovation and Collaboration: the Next Generation” was held online. Hosted by Dr. Margaret Chan, the founding Dean of the Vanke School of Public Health (“VSPH”), the forum convened top scholars from leading Public Health Schools around the world, who shared their visions on the challenges and opportunities of global public health, public health and humanity, as well as new requirements for future public health leaders, especially in the post-pandemic era.

Tsinghua launches Quantum Information Class

On May 24, Tsinghua University announced the creation of a new Tsinghua Xuetang class — Quantum Information Class. Professor Andrew Chi-Chih Yao, IIIS Dean, is the Chair Professor, and IIIS CC Yao Professor DuanLuming is the Program Director. It is the third Tsinghua Xuetang Class that was founded and designed by Prof. Yao, following the Yao Class (computer science) and the Artificial Intelligence Class.

Tsinghua University commemorates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC

On June 28, Tsinghua University commemorated the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and commended advanced collectives and individuals at the New Tsinghua Xuetang. Chen Xu, Secretary of the CPC Tsinghua University Committee, delivered a speech at the meeting, which was presided over by Tsinghua President Qiu Yong.

Tsinghua Global Summer School 2021 kicks off

On June 28, Tsinghua Global Summer School 2021 (GSS 2021) officially kicked off. 1,035 outstanding young students from over 151 universities in 96 different countries and regions gathered together on the “cloud” for the opening ceremony. Tsinghua University Vice President and Provost, Yang Bin delivered a welcome address. Ms. Beate Trankmann, United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Resident Representative in China also attended online and gave opening remarks. Themed “Innovation for Sustainable Development,” GSS 2021 was a 9-day program organized collaboratively by 22 Tsinghua academic institutions, including 17 different colleges and departments, three overseas institutions, and two international associations for higher education initiated by Tsinghua.

9th World Peace Forum opens at Tsinghua

The 9th World Peace Forum (WPF) opened at Tsinghua University on July 3, with the theme “International Security Cooperation in the Post-Pandemic Era—Upholding and Practicing Multilateralism.”

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the forum and delivered a keynote speech.

Tsinghua student and Chinese shooter Yang Qian wins first gold of Tokyo 2020 in women's 10m air rifle

Chinese shooter Yang Qian, who is an undergraduate student from Tsinghua University, claimed the first gold medal of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games with a victory in women's 10m air rifle in Tokyo on Saturday. Russian markswoman Anastasiia Galashina took the silver and Nina Christen of Switzerland bagged the bronze.

Tsinghua University launches Global Open Courses in 2021 Fall

In the Fall of 2021, Tsinghua launched a total of seven Global Open Courses, namely "Carbon Neutrality: Why and How the World is Addressing Climate Change", "China's Approach to Poverty Eradication", "Winter Olympics and Winter Sports", "National Parks and Protected Areas of China", "Future Automobiles", "The Creation and Growth of Technology Enterprises" and "Positive Psychology", taught in English and accessible to the world both online and offline. Learners could attend some or all of the courses and participate in online real-time interaction based on their own interests.At the same time, some of the lectures were broadcast live to learners around the world through the international version of XuetangX and Tsinghua University's social media accounts.

Tsinghua University inaugurates institute to promote carbon neutrality

The Tsinghua University Institute for Carbon Neutrality (ICON, Tsinghua University) was formally established on September 22. As a strategic institutional initiative taken by Tsinghua University following its 110th founding anniversary, the establishment of ICON represents a momentous step. ICON demonstrates the University’s realization of its responsibility to achieve alignment with national development needs; act on major national strategies and plans for peaking carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060; fully leverage its role as a leading university in coping with global climate change; and, pioneer research of fundamental theories and key technologies connected with carbon neutrality, contributing wisdom and strength to the community with a shared future for mankind and global sustainable development.

18 universities join forces for effective global communication

On September 27, Tsinghua University hosted the sub-forum entitled “International Communication of University Image” of the 7th Seminar on International Communication in Tianjin Auditorium. More than 50 experts and scholars from 18 universities across the country and other stakeholders involved in international communication work participated in the sub-forum and exchanged ideas on promoting the international communication of univerisities in China.The sub-forum issued the Tianjin Initiative of Improving International Communication of Universities.

Global Youth Summit on Net-Zero Future kicks off

Young people are taking charge of tackling the global climate emergency -- starting today at the "Global Youth Summit on Net-Zero Future” (Climate x Summit) -- with a helping hand from the world's top universities and spurred by the United Nations and leaders from forward-thinking governments and organizations.

Climate x Summit included more than 30 student-led events through November 5. More than 500 students participated in this year's activities, which included climate-research competitions, a "hackathon," film premieres and solutions-oriented meetings on how to energize youth across the world.

Tsinghua SEM Advisory Board holds 2021 meeting

Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management (Tsinghua SEM) held its 2021 Advisory Board Meeting on the evening of October 19, 2021. It was the board’s 22nd annual meeting since its establishment.

Chinese Vice President Wang Qishan met with members of the advisory board of the Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in Beijing via video link on October 20, calling on them to make greater contributions to promoting exchanges between China and other countries and enhancing common interest. "China has started a new journey toward building a great modern socialist country in all respects," Wang said during his meeting with the advisors.

Latin American and Caribbean Ambassadors convene at Tsinghua

The Latin American and Caribbean ambassadors and representatives gathered at Tsinghua University Art Museum on October 25 to attend a meeting entitled “2021 Prospering Together - Latin American and Caribbean Ambassadors Convene at Tsinghua.” Ambassadors, Charge d 'affaires, Minister Counsellors and other envoys from 21 Latin American and the Caribbean countries visited Tsinghua and shared their views on enhancing cooperation between China and Latin American and the Caribbean countries and prospering together.

Tsinghua scientist Wang Dazhong receives China's most prestigious national award

The 2020 National Science and Technology Award Conference was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on November 3. Academician Wang Dazhong of Tsinghua University received the 2020 State Preeminent Science and Technology Award, China's most prestigious science and technology award, for his outstanding contribution to scientific and technological innovation. Former President of Tsinghua University, Wang Dazhong is one of the distinguished nuclear scientists in the world who has played a key role in China’s nuclear energy development.

By the end of 2020, Tsinghua had won a total of 607 State Science and Technology Awards, including two State Preeminent Science and Technology Awards, 84 State Natural Science Awards, 159 State Technological Invention Awards, and 362 State Scientific and Technological Progress Awards.

Tsinghua professors, alumni elected CAS and CAE members

On November 18, the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) announced their list of newly elected members. Tsinghua professors Wang Meixiang, Jiang Peixue, Li Keqiang, Luo Yi, and Zhang Ya-Qin, as well as alumni Wang Guoqing and Zhang Zongliang, have been honored as this year's newest members.

Tsinghua University holds first World Health Forum

The first World Health Forum held by Tsinghua University kicked off on Saturday with senior Chinese officials, foreign diplomats and global health experts attending to discuss how to build a resilient public health system.

Chinese Vice Premier Sun Chunlan delivered an inaugural speech via video link.

Qiu Yong, President of Tsinghua University, Li Bin, Vice Minister of the National Health Commission, Yang Bin, Vice President and Provost of Tsinghua University, and Liang Wannian, Vice Dean of the Vanke School of Public Health of Tsinghua University jointly launched the first World Health Forum. The opening ceremony of the forum was moderated by Yang Bin.

The forum aims to build an important platform for academic exchange, information exchange and experience sharing for all sectors of the world, build consensus, strengthen international exchanges in the field of public health, and make suggestions for global public health governance and global health development. It hopes to contribute wisdom to the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the building of a community of health for mankind.

Tsinghua University wins quadruple crown at SC Student Cluster Competition

A student supercomputing team from Tsinghua University successfully defended its crown at the SC21 Student Cluster Competition (SCC) on November 19. The competition was originally arranged to be held in the United States along with SC21 conference, but changed to online due to COVID-19.

It was the fourth consecutive time that the team from Tsinghua University won the title in the competition series since its establishment in 2012. It is also the team's fifteenth victory in all of the top three worldwide SCC events, which also include the ASC held in China and the ISC held in Germany.

2021 International AI Cooperation and Governance Forum held at Tsinghua University

The 2021 International AI Cooperation and Governance Forum, hosted by Tsinghua University in support of the United Nations Development Programme, opened on December 4, 2021.

In this year’s forum, leading AI experts and practitioners from around the world focus on the theme of “how to build a balanced and inclusive AI system,” and thereby promote the construction of a shared future for mankind. The two-day forum was held in a hybrid online and offline format. Over 70 AI experts from China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Australia, France, Singapore, South Korea, India, Sweden, Denmark, Malaysia and Japan attended and joined the forum discussion.

China approves country's first COVID-19 antibody drug, developed by Tsinghua professor and team

A Chinese research team has developed an "antibody cocktail therapy" that can fight against SARS-CoV-2.

The antibody cocktail made of two monoclonal antibodies Brii-196 and Brii-198 has shown an efficacy of 80 percent in cutting hospitalizations and deaths among high-risk groups in multicenter randomized clinical trials.

The treatment has been jointly developed by a research team led by Prof. Zhang Linqi, a professor at School of Medicine of Tsinghua University, the Third People's Hospital of Shenzhen, Guangdong province, and Brii Biosciences.

Global MOOC and Online Education Conference 2021 held

The Global MOOC and Online Education Conference 2021 was successfully held online on December 9. The Conference was jointly hosted by the Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance and the UNESCO Institute for Information Technologies in Education (IITE), on the theme “Together for a Shared Future-Leading Higher Education Innovation in the New Digital Era.”

Tsinghua University President Qiu Yong, also founding Chair of the Board of Global MOOC and Online Education Alliance, delivered welcoming remarks at the opening ceremony of the Conference.

The two-day conference attracted participants from more than 100 international organizations, governments, universities and online education institutions at home and abroad. They shared policies and practices in driving the innovation required in the new global digital era for the higher education sector, as well as examined collaborative ideas and frameworks to build more open, integrative and resilient universities.

Writer: Sangeet 

Editor: Li Han