November 19, 2021, ICEE held an online completion meeting for the China Academy of Engineering (CAE) strategic research project titled Strategic Research on the Demand and Training Mode for Sustainable Development-Oriented Engineering Technology Talent. This meeting was presided over by ZHOU Ji, head of the Review Expert Group, a member of the CAE and a professor of the School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University. The members of the expert group include YU Shouwen, former Vice President of Tsinghua University, LU Darong, a professor of the School of Mechanical Engineering, Tsinghua University, and LI Yue, Director of the Teaching Committee of the School of Continuing Education, Tsinghua University, HE Haiyan, a professor of Beijing Institute of Technology, MA Yonghong, a professor of Beihang University, and WANG Xiaoyang, a professor of Capital Normal University. The project heads attended the meeting, including ZHANG Jianmin, a member of CAE and a professor of the Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, FAN Xinyan, Deputy Director of the Second Bureau of CAE, WANG Xiaojun, a first-level investigator of the Education Division of the Second Bureau, and LIU Jian, an assistant researcher of the Strategic Consulting Center of CAE.

First of all, Prof. WANG Sunyu, Deputy Director and Secretary General of ICEE, briefed the experts on the research background and results of the project titled Strategic Research on the Demand and Training Mode for Sustainable Development-Oriented Engineering Technology Talent, as well as academic exchange related activities on this project. QIAO Weifeng, an assistant researcher of ICEE, reported in detail the research methods, revision of the international benchmark, analysis of typical cases, and research conclusions of the project. Based on the new opportunities and challenges in training engineering professionals under the concept of education for sustainable development, the project deeply analyzed the new requirements for graduate attributes and professional competencies (GAPC) by referring to the changes in international benchmark, selected 18 typical cases to analyze the innovative modes of talent training, and put forward 9 policy recommendations on the reform of China's engineering professional training.

ZHOU Ji, ZHANG Jianmin, YU Shouwen, LU Darong, MA Yonghong, LI Yue, HE Haiyan, WANG Xiaoyang

After listening carefully to the project team report and fully discussing the project, the expert group agreed that this project featured appropriate research methods with comprehensive and accurate data and rich contents. By participating in the revision of the most influential international benchmark of the International Engineering Alliance (IEA), the project team members analyzed the new requirements for GAPC, and made a contribution to raising the visibility and voice of China's engineering education community. By selecting typical cases to analyze the innovative modes of talent training, they summarized the practical challenges and existing problems of China's reform of engineering professional training, and put forward policy recommendations with specific and important reference value. The expert group believed that the training of engineering talents is needed to be promoted vigorously, so they recommended that the project team to continue enrich relevant research, expand its influence, and provide decision-making support for the reform and development of national engineering education.

Finally, the expert group agreed that the project team carried out the work in an orderly manner in accordance with the plan and goal, put forward strategic, perspective and comprehensive policy recommendations based on in-depth study, formed a comprehensive consulting research report, obtained rich research results and completed all evaluation indicators with high quality. The expert group unanimously agreed to pass the project conclusion acceptance, and suggested that the project team continue to conduct further research.

A group photo of the participants

ICEE academic research assistant XU Lihui, postdoctoral researchers WENG Mosi, GUO Zhe, CHEN Huimin and WANG Yujia, and academic research office assistants ZHU Pan, LI Jingjing and LI Chao attended the meeting.

(Edited by ZHU Pan,  Reviewed by XU Lihui and WANG Sunyu)