The International Assessment of Electrical Engineering Discipline was successfully held in our university from December 10 to 11, 2019. By listening to the overall presentations of the discipline introduction, visiting school facilities, group meetings with faculty and students, the assessment experts have comprehensively understood the development status of electrical engineering (EE) discipline at our university, made an objective assessment on its construction and development, and put forward constructive comments and recommendations for the future development of EE discipline at HUST in combination with the latest international development trends of the discipline. The assessment committee declared that EE discipline at HUST has passed the international assessment and is rated as the first-class discipline in the world.
The assessment committee is composed of 8 world-renowned experts in EE and related fields. They are Prof. Felix Wu from University of California at Berkeley, Prof. Philip T. Krein from University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Prof. Manoj R. Shah from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Prof. Patrick Henry diamond from University of California at San Diego, Prof. Katsumi Ida from National Institute for Fusion Science in Japan, Prof. Georg Mueller from Karlsruhe Institute of technology in Germany, Professor Hiroyuki Nojiri from Tohoku University in Japan and Professor Kostya Ostrikov from Queensland University of Technology in Australia.
On the morning of December 10, the international assessment meeting was held in the Conference Room B203 of the Electrical Building. Prof. Wen Jinyu, Dean of School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering (SEEE), presided over the meeting. Vice President Xu Xiaodong, Academician Pan Yuan, Academician Fan Mingwu, Academician Cheng Shijie, leaders from relevant departments of our university and SEEE representatives of faculty and students attended the meeting. First of all, Xu Xiaodong delivered a welcome speech on behalf of the University, saying that the international assessment of disciplines plays an important role in accelerating the construction of world-class universities and first-class disciplines. He expected the international experts to make valuable recommendations on the development status, existing problems and future development of the discipline. Then, Ms. Wan Tian, University Specialist of International Affairs, gave a brief introduction of HUST. After that, the presentations of EE discipline introduction were made, hosted by Professor Felix Wu, Chair of the Assessment Committee. Prof. Hu Jiabing, Vice Dean of SEEE, made an overall systematic introduction about the EE discipline, from the development history and faculty, education and research, to outreach and outlook; Prof. Yang Yong, Assistant Dean of SEEE, made a representation about education highlights on the overall achievements of talent training, curriculum and international exchange; Professor Li Liang, Director of the Wuhan National High Magnetic Field Center, made a presentation about research highlights on EE research accomplishments achievements in recent years. After the presentations, the assessment committee had in-depth discussion with SEEE faculty members on relevant issues.
In the afternoon of December 10, the assessment committee visited the educational and research platforms of the University, such as Power System Dynamic Simulation Laboratory, National Electrotechnical and Electronic Experimental Teaching Demonstration Center, Physics Laboratory, Teacher and Student Service Center, Engineering Practice Training Center, Institute of Fusion and Plasma, and National High Magnetic Field Center. Through the visits, the experts learned about our school’s education and research platform construction of the discipline.
On the morning of December 11, the international assessment committee was divided into 2 groups and had meetings with faculty and student representatives respectively. In the faculty representatives talk, the faculty representatives said that the academic atmosphere of the School was free, focusing on the extensive research direction of "electrification +", which could effectively cultivate their own innovative research thinking and gradually improve their comprehensive ability. In the student representatives talk, the experts learned about the innovation achievements and international exchange programs that students participated in, and asked students' views on the discipline and personal development.
On the afternoon of December 11, the committee meeting was held and the assessment results were announced by Prof. Felix Wu.
The committee unanimously agreed that the EE discipline at HUST covers a wide range of electrical science and engineering research, and is among the first-class EE disciplines globally.
The strategic combination of the classical electrical engineering research with extensive electromagnetic engineering under the school is unique in China. The unique synergy between them has contributed to the world’s first-class research of advanced electromagnetic engineering and technology. The education and research program offered through HUST SEEE are truly exceptional and can be held up as a model for other universities in China and beyond.
The committee agrees that decarbonization and re-electrification of the energy system are the basic trends of the sustainable development of world civilization. The future development of the EE discipline at HUST must continue contributing to the challenges in the coming energy revolution and strike a balance between maintaining the existing strengths and capturing opportunities in new and emerging disciplines.. The committee recommends that HUST shall strengthen its support and funding in the construction of EE discipline in terms of education, faculty and platform facilities, and believes that the discipline will play a leading role in the process of decarbonization and re-electrification of human civilization development!
Vice President Xu Xiaodong extended sincere appreciation to the assessment committee, and said that the committee has provided very insightful and constructive comments on the future EE discipline development . This international assessment will be a fresh starting point for SEEE to embark on a new journey.
