China's First Modern University Celebrates 131 Years of Excellence

TIANJIN, China, Oct. 2, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 2, 2026, Tianjin University (TJU), China's first modern university, celebrates its 131st anniversary. This milestone highlights TJU's enduring legacy as a steadfast contributor to global innovation and social progress, consistently rising to meet the world's most pressing challenges with visionary foresight and profound dedication.

Cultivating Visionaries for a New Era

TJU's 131st year is defined by a profound commitment to cultivating visionary talent. The university, as the lead institution of the National Working Group on Emerging Engineering Education, has unveiled "TJU Plan 3.0", a forward-looking framework for emerging engineering education designed to nurture future-ready talent.

Aligning with the evolution of future industries, TJU has strategically positioned itself across 11 frontier fields, including artificial intelligence and embodied intelligence. Furthermore, the university has pioneered China's first undergraduate majors in brain-computer science and technology, as well as biomanufacturing.

To nurture top-tier young scholars, TJU introduced the "U35 Plan". This initiative fast-tracks exceptional researchers under the age of 35 to full professorships, recognizing future potential and fostering a dynamic, youth-led research environment where brilliant minds can thrive.

From Laboratory to Lifesaving Impact

The convergence of national-level talents, industry experts, and leading enterprises has created a robust innovation ecosystem at TJU. This ecosystem has yielded landmark achievements. In medical technology, the "Shengong-Shengao" system became China's first approved brain-computer interface (BCI) medical device for diagnosing cognitive impairment. Developed by a team led by Professor Liu Xiuyun, the system reduces diagnosis time for conditions like hydrocephalus from days to just 30 minutes. Additionally, more than 20 "Shengong" series devices have successfully transitioned from the laboratory to clinical wards, delivering tangible benefits to thousands of patients.

From high-precision measurement and energy storage technologies to national platforms like the National Facility for Earthquake Engineering Simulation, the ethos of "aiming for the highest scientific peaks while remaining deeply grounded in real-world needs" permeates the campus. This commitment was recognized in 2025, when TJU researchers were lead contributors to five National Science and Technology Awards.

Furthermore, the university's academic excellence is recognized globally, with three disciplines—Chemistry, Engineering, and Materials Science—ranked in the global top 1‱ according to the Essential Science Indicators (ESI).

With a focus on strategic clusters, a talent-driven approach, and an unwavering commitment to human well-being, Tianjin University at 131 is not just celebrating its past—it is actively engineering a better future.