From July 14 to 18, 2025, the 12th World Congress of Chemical Engineering and the 21st Asia Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress were grandly held at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. On July 16, the International Symposium of Chemical Engineering Departments/Schools from Global Universities and the First World Chemical Engineering Institute Discipline Construction and Talent Training High-end Forum, hosted by the College of Chemical Engineering, Beijing University of Chemical Technology (BUCT) and co-organized by the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, were successfully convened.
More than 100 leading experts and scholars from over 50 universities and research institutions across China, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries gathered to engage in high-level dialogue and collaboration around key topics such as discipline development, talent cultivation, international collaboration, and interdisciplinary integration.The symposium was chaired by Prof. Cheng Daojian, Dean of the College of Chemical Engineering, BUCT.
Prof. Ren Zhongqi, Vice President of BUCT, delivered the opening remarks, extending his warmest welcome and sincere appreciation to the distinguished guests and participants. He pointed out that chemical engineering education is undergoing profound transformation, and that global universities must work hand in hand to promote cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural innovation in order to cultivate chemical engineers with global vision and practical competence.
Prof. Guangzhao Mao, Dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, also addressed the opening ceremony. Experts from the University of Edinburgh, University of Toronto, Rice University, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Tsinghua University, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, East China University of Science and Technology, and other leading universities shared their innovative practices and insights on educational philosophy, curriculum development, international talent training, and AI integration in chemical engineering education.
As part of the event, the First World Chemical Engineering Institute Discipline Construction and Talent Training High-end Forum was held. Experts engaged in lively discussions around such themes as “How to define modern chemical engineering,” “How to integrate frontier and traditional elements in curriculum design,” and “How to promote deep integration of AI and chemical engineering.”
This symposium established a valuable global platform for exchange in chemical engineering education and highlighted the growing international influence of Chinese universities in chemical engineering research and academic collaboration. Looking ahead, continued global cooperation will further strengthen high-level talent training and the advancement of disciplinary systems in the field of chemical engineering.
Background Information:
The International Symposium of Chemical Engineering Departments/Schools from Global Universities and the First World Chemical Engineering Institute Discipline Construction and Talent Training High-end Forum were jointly organized by Beijing University of Chemical Technology and Southwest Petroleum University.
The symposium was co-chaired by Prof. Cheng Daojian (Dean, College of Chemical Engineering, BUCT) and Prof. Guangzhao Mao (University of Edinburgh), with Prof. Hu Chuangang (College of Chemical Engineering, BUCT) serving as the Secretary-General.