The 20th National Graduate Environmental Forum Successfully Held at Tongji University

The 20th National Graduate Environmental Forum and the Inauguration Ceremony of the High-Level Academic Quality Consortium for Environmental Disciplines were grandly held at Tongji University from May 22 to May 25, 2025. The event brought together prominent experts and scholars, including Academician Xu Zuxin, a member of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and professor at CESE; Professor Feng Shijin, Assistant to the President of Tongji University; Professor Yang Kun, Dean of the College of Environment and Resources at Zhejiang University; Professor Mu Yang, Executive Head of the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at the University of Science and Technology of China; Professor Yue Dongbei, Vice Dean of the School of Environment at Tsinghua University; Professor Lu Keding, Vice Dean of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering at Peking University; Professor Wei Liangliang, Vice Dean of the School of Environment at Harbin Institute of Technology; Professor Hua Ming, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of the School of the Environment at Nanjing University; Professor Zhang Liwu, Deputy Head of the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering at Fudan University; Professor Liu Ping, Vice Dean of the School of Environmental Science and Engineering at Shanghai Jiao Tong University; Professor Si Huiwen and Professor Lin Sijie, Vice Deans of the Graduate School at Tongji University; Professor Xu Bin, Secretary of the College Party Committee; and Professor Wang Zhiwei, Dean of CESE.

With participation from over 100 universities across the country, the forum convened young scholars from diverse research backgrounds to collaboratively shape the future of environmental disciplines. Centered on the theme "Two Decades of Environmental Research on the Graduate Journey, discussing a Green Ecological Future," the forum promoted academic dialogue and research sharing on topics such as water pollution control and resource recovery, solid waste treatment and disposal, air pollution control, environmental materials development, environmental health, dual carbon goals and sustainable development, and interdisciplinary technological innovation. A total of 13 parallel sessions and 37 poster presentations enabled active engagement and knowledge exchange across institutions and disciplines.

To encourage innovation and highlight academic excellence, the forum upheld fairness and transparency in awarding recognitions. Through joint evaluation by expert reviewers and participants, 13 Best Oral Presentation Awards, 20 Excellent Oral Presentation Awards, 2 Excellent Poster Awards, 1 Best Cover Award, 1 Best Flash Talk Award, and 2 Excellent Flash Talk Awards were presented.

A major highlight was the formal establishment of the "Academic Quality Consortium for Environmental Disciplines." Led jointly by Tongji University and Tsinghua University, the consortium includes Harbin Institute of Technology, Peking University, Nanjing University, Zhejiang University, the University of Science and Technology of China, Fudan University, and Shanghai Jiao Tong University. This alliance aims to promote high-quality development in environmental education and research nationwide.

The forum also featured three plenary reports by leading experts. Academician Xu Zuxin of Tongji University delivered a keynote speech titled "Conducting Useful Research and Becoming Pillars of Society," inspiring students to pursue impactful careers. Professor Yang Kun from Zhejiang University shared insights on "Research Progress and Technological Challenges in Soil Pollution Prevention and Control in China," while Professor Lu Keding from Peking University presented "Analysis of the Causes of PM2.5 and O₃ Pollution in China and Reflections on Control Strategies from the Perspective of Atmospheric Oxidation." These reports reflected the latest advances and ongoing challenges in environmental science and fostered meaningful academic discussions among attendees.