As scheduled, the chemistry discipline of Nankai University will celebrate its 100th anniversary on October 16, 2021. On December 20th, the celebration for the 300-day countdown activities was held by the Nankai Chemistry Climbing Plan Seminar in the auditorium of the Tiannan United Building at Balitai.

Yang Qingshan, Chancellor of Nankai University, Professor Li Zhengming, Professor Cheng Jinpei, Professor Song Licheng and Professor Zhou Qilin, all professors from the College of Chemistry, attended the event, along with the head of Nankai Education Foundation, representatives of alumni entrepreneurs, leading team members of the College of Chemistry and representatives of teachers and students.

In his speech, Yang Qingshan pointed out that, with a profound history and vide, the chemistry discipline has featured in the historical development of Nankai University, and made important contributions to the national education and to science and technology. On January 17, 2019, General Secretary Xi Jinping paid a visit to Nankai University and gave some important instructions on the cultivation of the moral and patriotic sense in students, as well as the training of highly professional faculty. Besides, President Xi also expressed his hope that teachers, students and alumni will all play their parts in the development of chemistry studies in Nankai University.

At the event, the head of the College of Chemistry disclosed the Nankai Chemistry Climbing Plan based on its current achievements and project plans. As stated, the College of Chemistry is aimed at building a world-class discipline that produces first-class teachers, cultivates first-class talents, conducts first-class scientific research, and provides first-class services by 2030. Other programs are also included, such as 5 developing projects, 7 scholarships and teaching grants, 13 commemoration projects for the 100th Anniversary of the chemistry discipline, related projects of the 54th International Chemistry Olympiad, etc. All of which welcome the contribution of alumni and the society at large.

In the efforts of promoting the Nankai chemistry climbing plan, a development committee has been established by the College of Chemistry in Nankai University. 5 honorary chairmen, 2 chairmen, 2 executive chairmen and 12 committee members are included in the committee. Five academicians including Li Zhengming, Cheng Jinpei, Song Licheng, Zhou Qilin, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and vice president of Nankai University Chen Jun were appointed as honorary chairmen, who were conferred with letters of appointment by Yang Qingshan.

Representative members of the development committee were conferred with letters of appointment by the head of College of Chemistry of Nankai University.

Zhao Guofeng, the executive chairman of the chemistry development committee of Nankai University, expressed his praise for the progress made by the college of chemistry in Nankai University, and the support delivered by its alumni for a more robust growth.

62 representative alumni entrepreneurs from Nankai University were hired as ambassadors for the chemistry discipline of Nankai University and were conferred with letters of appointment by the heads of Nankai Education Foundation and the College of Chemistry.

51 student volunteers were conferred with volunteer certificates by relevant figure in charge of the College of Chemistry.

The 100th birthday of the chemistry discipline in Nankai University marks a significant day for all its alumni around the world. Looking back on the past 100 years, the College of Chemistry have always been striving to play an ever more important role through the joint efforts from all parties.

(Reported by Renming Qiao, Photographed by Qiqi Zong, translated by Liang Li, Edited by Davide Francolino and Jianjing Yun)