2012 Top Ten Tsinghua News Stories

The Tsinghua News Center is pleased to announce the 2012 Top Ten Tsinghua News Stories, based on online voting and expert ratings. The following is a list of the events as they occurred throughout the year:

	Nineteen Tsinghua research achievements were recognized at the 2011 State Science and Technology Awards on February 14th. Tsinghua ranked first among Chinese universities for total number of achievements recognized. Professor Wu Liangyong, a member of both the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Chinese Academy of Engineering, was awarded the State Highest Scientific and Technological Award. Professor Qiu Yong and his colleagues won the State Technological Invention Award’s first prize, for their research on Materials, Devices and Industrialization of Organic Light-Emitting Displays.
	Dr. Chen Jining was appointed President of Tsinghua University on February 20th, with approval from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the State Council. Dr. Chen succeeds Professor Gu Binglin, who retired from the post at the same time.
	In 2012, Tsinghua teachers and students published a number of high level academic papers in top international journals, including Science and Nature.
	The university has opened several new departments in the past year, including the PBC School of Finance, the School of Humanities and the School of Social Sciences (from the previous School of Humanities and Social Sciences), the Department of Basic Medical Sciences, and the Department of Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering was changed into the School of Materials Science and Engineering.
	The New Tsinghua Xuetang, a building designed to become a landmark for Tsinghua University’s new century of progress, was officially opened on April 8th. The China Philharmonic Orchestra gave a performance in the new building that evening.
	The 13th CPC Tsinghua Congress was held from April 10th to 12th. Tsinghua made clear its goal of developing a world-class university with Chinese characteristics and particular Tsinghua style, by introducing its plans for development. Professor Hu Heping was re-elected as Party Secretary for Tsinghua University.
	New progress has been made with student enrollment, including reforms and changes that will help the university select the best possible students. The University has also increased the enrollment of good students from poorer areas of China.
	Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping visited Tsinghua University from June 19th to 20th. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao visited Tsinghua and delivered a speech, on September 14th.
	Yi Siling, a student from Tsinghua’s School of Economics and Management, won the first gold medal of the London Olympic Games, as she scored a total of 502.9 points in the women's 10m air rifle title event, on July 28th.
	Tsinghua University Council Chairman Hu Heping and Professor Hu Angang from the School of Public Policy & Management, were selected as representatives for the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Chairman Hu was selected as an alternate member of the 18th CPC Central Committee. Tsinghua faculty and students give great consideration to the decisions made by the 18th CPC National Congress, in regards to China’s future and development.