In 2024, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School (Tsinghua SIGS) marked a year of exceptional achievements throughout a variety of fields, from strengthening global relationships to advancing cutting-edge research, and fostering a culture of excellence. To reflect on the development and spirit of the year, we select 9 highlights that define this remarkable journey of Tsinghua SIGS community.
Global Collaboration
In 2024, we deepened collaboration with internationally renowned universities and research institutions. Remarkable cooperation includes signing MOUs with the Technical University of Munich (Germany), Bureau Veritas of France (France), and Macau Polytechnic University (China). Additionally, dual master's degree agreements were signed with the University of Malaya (Malaysia), as well as postgraduate research and internship agreements with the University of Macau (China). These efforts reflect Tsinghua SIGS’s commitment to fostering high-level academic exchange and promoting both domestic and international collaboration.
Throughout the year, we invited delegations from Gdańsk University of Technology (Poland), Tokyo Institute of Technology and Kyoto University (Japan), Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), Technical University of Munich (Germany), University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), and Harvard University (USA). Major international exchange activities included the 2024 Global Summer School, the Tsinghua SIGS Virtual Open Day 2025, the Tsinghua University - Kyoto University Joint Symposium 2024 on Research and Education of Environment and Engineering, and the Tsinghua i-Space Youth Innovation Workshop.
Additionally, faculty and student delegations from Tsinghua SIGS visited Germany, Singapore, Brazil, Japan, Uzbekistan, and South Korea to participate in academic exchanges and admission seminars, further enhancing Tsinghua SIGS’s international profile.
Academic Exchanges
In 2024, we continued to optimize cross-field disciplines in alignment with Shenzhen’s technological and industrial growth. We proactively planned for the future development of Artificial Intelligence and launched the AI Talent 100 Program. On November 15, we organized the X-Lake Forum 2024 with the theme “AI Empowering Future Cities and Quality Productive Forces” and hosted four parallel forums on AI. We also organized a number of international academic events, including the “5th International Conference on Energy Storage Materials & 11th International Forum on Graphene” in Shenzhen, the “3rd International Lipidomics Society Conference & SMART Symposium on Structural Lipidomics”, the “2024 International Forum on Advanced Health Engineering”, and the “6th International Conference on Additive Manufacturing and Bio-Manufacturing”, thereby expanding our global influence.
Teaching Achievements
In 2024, Tsinghua SIGS faculty gained remarkable teaching achievements. The case study “Construction of a Three-Stage Practical Curriculum System for Cultivating Innovative Engineers in the New Era” headed by Professor Zuo Jian’e and He Yonghong was acknowledged as a national outstanding case of engineering education reform. Li Xinghui, Wang Xueqian, Wu Zhiyong, and Zhang Canyang received “Tsinghua University 2023 Annual Teaching Excellence Award.” Hu Zhenzhong won the “Young Faculty Teaching Excellence Award 2023”, while Tao Yi was recognized as the 2023 Advanced Worker of Tsinghua University. Yang Wenming and Lin Lin were honored in the 19th Tsinghua University “Good Teacher and Helpful Friend” recognition. In the Tsinghua University 11th Young Teachers' Teaching Competition, Jing Lu won the First Prize, while He Honghui and Qian Xiang secured Second Prizes. Li Xinghui and Ouyang Zhongkun were awarded Third Prizes. Additionally, Zuo Jian’e received the “Annual Water Industry Person of the Year - Teaching and Research Contribution Award”. In research, Zheng Bo earned the “Tsinghua University - Inspur Group Computational Earth Science Young Talent Award.” Hong Chaopeng received the “Alibaba DAMO Academy Orange Award - Potential Award.”
Scientific Breakthroughs
In 2024, Tsinghua SIGS researchers made significant progress with 72 papers published in Cell, Nature, Science, and their sub-journals, including four on primary issues. We also secured a record-breaking 51 science and technology awards, including 1 at the national level and 9 at the provincial and ministerial levels and 41 at the social forces and others.
Distinguished Scholars
On November 19, 2024, Clarivate Analytics released “Highly Cited Researchers 2024”. Twelve faculty members from Tsinghua SIGS were named out of the 6,636 researchers chosen worldwide, for a total of 13 entries. The selected faculty members include He Yanbing, Hong Chaopeng, Kang Feiyu, Li Baohua, Li Bing, Liu Bilu, Lv Wei, Peng Lele, Zheng Bo, Zhou Guangmin, Zou Xiaolong, and Yang Yunfeng. Among them, Professor Kang Feiyu was recognized in two fields: Materials Science and Environmental & Ecological Sciences. Professor Kang Feiyu was one of six people chosen in various categories out of the 92 entries from Tsinghua University this year. The continuous inclusion of Tsinghua SIGS faculty in such prestigious rankings demonstrates our commitment to fostering world-class talent and academic excellence.
Technological Innovation
Tsinghua SIGS team achieved unprecedented success at the 49th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, including the “Prize of the City of Geneva,” the “Outstanding Innovation Award”, and the “Gold with Congratulations of the Jury,” along with three Gold Awards, three Silver Awards, and one Bronze Award, marking a historic high in total awards received. Notably, the project “Novel Technology of Phosphorus Recovery from Municipal Wastewater Aiming at Iron Phosphate for Battery Use”, led by Professor Lin Lin from the Institute of Environment and Ecology, received the “Prize of the City of Geneva,” the “Outstanding Innovation Award,” and the “Gold with Congratulations of the Jury,” all of which are among the most prestigious recognition of the exhibition. These exceptional results highlight the innovative capabilities and global influence of Tsinghua SIGS in scientific and technological advancements.
Sports Spirit
In 2024, we hosted the third X9 Alliance Rowing League as the 3rd rotating chair of the X9 Alliance, including 6 international competitions throughout the spring and autumn. Teams from Cambridge, Oxford, Amsterdam, and Yale joined the competition. This marked a significant expansion of international cooperation and exchange in sports. Tsinghua SIGS rowing team won the overall championship with a total score of 44.6 points, securing the “Outstanding Organization Award”. In addition to rowing, Tsinghua SIGS students excelled in a wide range of other competitions in 2024 and earned multiple honors, which reflect our commitment to developing well-rounded talent.
Campus Life
During China's National Day, we organized a flash singing mob performance called “I Love You, China”. This event showcased the outstanding artistic talents of Tsinghua SIGS community through a combination of solo, duet, and choral singing, as well as violin performances and poetry recitations. In 2024, we also hosted a variety of cultural and extracurricular events, including the “December 9 Revolutionary Songs Concert,” the “Tsinghua SIGS Campus Art Festival,” the “Faculty and Student Cup Sports Event,” the “Zero-Carbon Campus Competition,” the “2024 Freshman Welcome Party,”the “2024 Welcome Gala,” and the “Mentor Micro Salon”, which enriched the campus life of both students and faculty, promoting a vibrant and inclusive community.
Industrial Partnerships
In 2024, we further strengthened partnerships with leading industries and government institutions. Key collaborations include the establishment of a joint research center with China Resources Beverage (Holdings) Company Limited, the signing of a cooperation framework agreement with Shaoguan Municipal People's Government, and the establishment of graduate training bases with Mingyang Smart Energy Group Limited and Qingyan Environmental Technology Company Limited. Additionally, we signed the “Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School - Xiangjiang Group - Qingyuan Hua Jian Cooperation Framework Agreement”. These partnerships provide strong support for the development of talent and technological innovation while also advancing the integration of education and industry and speeding up the commercialization of research findings.
As we celebrate the achievements of 2024 and look ahead to 2025, Tsinghua SIGS will continue embracing the spirit of innovation and excellence, foster global collaborations and promote technological advancements. We will also continue implementing reforms in education and teaching, and make even greater contributions to addressing economic and social development. We look forward to a promising journey of 2025！
Edited by Peng Bin, Huang Xiaojia, Yuan Yang, and Wan Xinyi
Reviewed by Nie Xiaomei
