Recently, the 10th Joint Committee of Excellence 9 Universities (E9) Presidents Forumwas held at Chongqing University. Jin Donghan, President of Tianjin University, attended the meeting, collaborating on the development of higher education in the new era together with presidents of other universities including: Presidents Guo Dongming of DalianUniversityOf Technology, Zhang Guangjun of Southeast University, Gao Song of South China University of Technology, Chen Jie of Tongji University, Zhang Zongyi of Chongqing University, and Vice-Presidents Xiang Changle of Beijing Institute of Technology and Ding Xuemei of Harbin Institute of Technology.

In his speech, Jin Donghan pointed out that E9 universities have made outstanding contributions to the development of higher education in China by relying on this important platform to exchange and learn from each other and seek common development. He also expressed the hope that in the future, these universities will further strengthen their exchanges, regularly carry out thematic discussions and give full play to the union’s unique advantages in the field of engineering, assume the mission of revitalizing the country, actively participate in the construction of emerging engineering education, and "write papers on the motherland" so as to cultivate new talents who are able to shoulder the responsibility of national rejuvenation.

The 2018-2019 work summary of the E9 was reviewed and the 2019-2020 work plan was approved during the meeting. Zhang Guangjun, the 2019 rotatingpresident and President of Southeast University, and Zhang Zongyi, the 2020 rotating president and the President of Chongqing University, respectively reported on the 2019 work summary and the 2020 work plan on behalf of the E9.

It was concluded in the meeting that it is necessary to take the national major strategy and the new requirements of higher education in the new era as the guide, highlight the fundamental tasks of establishing morals and building characters, and take the lead in the development of emerging engineering education. Additionally, it is important to strengthen the function of curriculum education, improve the quality of personnel training and exert the E9’s leading role in building a world-class higher education with Chinese characteristics.

At the meeting, the E9 flag delivery ceremony was held, where the flag was handed over from Southeastern University, the university in charge in 2019, to Chongqing University, the university on duty in 2020. Beijing Institute of Technology was elected as the 2021 rotating presiding university.

By: Cui Jingyue

Editors: Harlan Haverback, Sun Xiaofang