On March 27, Professor Shiyi Chen, President of the Eastern Institute of Technology, Ningbo (EIT), and Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was conferred an Honorary Doctorate from Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST) in recognition of his outstanding contributions to advancing scientific innovation, promoting research and educational development, and serving societal progress. The conferment ceremony was held on MUST's 26th anniversary.
President Shiyi Chen Delivers Address as Representative of Honorary Doctorate Recipients
This year, MUST conferred honorary doctorates on seven distinguished individuals who have made remarkable achievements in fields such as literature, history, social sciences, medicine, and engineering technology. MUST spoke highly of President Shiyi Chen's internationally leading accomplishments in turbulence theory, computational fluid dynamics, and multi-scale dynamical systems, also commending his exceptional leadership in advancing higher education reform and innovation.
At the ceremony, President Shiyi Chen delivered a speech on behalf of the honorary doctorate recipients. He expressed his sincere gratitude to MUST for the prestigious honor and praised the university for its remarkable progress and outstanding achievements since its establishment over two decades ago. He noted that MUST has now become the largest comprehensive university in Macau and a vital hub for cultivating outstanding talent, driving academic innovation, and fostering exchanges between China and the world.
President Shiyi Chen Receives Honorary Doctorate from MUST
Addressing the students in attendance, President Shiyi Chen shared his earnest hopes for the younger generation. He encouraged them, saying, "You are the future of this university and the pillars of our nation. In this era, full of opportunities and challenges, I hope you will remain curious, embrace innovation, show resilience in the face of setbacks, and have the courage to explore the unknown. Align your personal aspirations with the needs of our country and society, and engage in the development of our times with a broad vision and steadfast commitment, for the prosperity of our youth ensures the prosperity of our nation."
President Shiyi Chen noted that the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and the Yangtze River Delta region are rapidly emerging as global innovation hubs, and that both MUST and EIT, play significant roles within this dynamic landscape. "Going forward, both institutions will leverage their complementary strengths to establish closer, mutually beneficial academic partnerships, jointly advancing scientific research, talent cultivation, and regional collaborative development."
President Shiyi Chen at the Conferment Ceremony
A renowned expert in mechanics and physics, President Shiyi Chen is a Member of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a Fellow of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). His longstanding research on turbulence and complex flows has earned him international acclaim. Among his groundbreaking achievements is the world’s highest Reynolds number direct numerical simulation of turbulence—a record at the time. Additionally, as one of the key originators of the lattice Boltzmann method, he has advanced its widespread application in simulating complex flows, leaving a significant impact on engineering science and industrial technology development.
In the field of higher education, President Shiyi Chen brings extensive experience in global university management and has consistently been at the forefront of higher education innovation in China. He previously served as a tenured professor and the Dean of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. Returning to China, he became the founding Dean of the College of Engineering at Peking University, later serving as Vice President and Dean of the Graduate School at Peking University. In 2015, he served as the President of Southern University of Science and Technology, leading its transformative development and its successful inclusion in the national "Double First-Class" initiative.
In 2021, President Shiyi Chen was invited to serve as the President of EIT, where he leads the university's establishment and development. Under his leadership, the institution adheres to high standards of planning and construction, focusing on cutting-edge science andtechnologies, actively exploring pathways for developing a new type of research university, and achieving continuous breakthroughs in talent recruitment, scientific research innovation, and institutional reform.
This honorary doctorate is both a testament to the international higher education community’s strong recognition of President Shiyi Chen’s academic achievements and contributions to education, and a validation of the educational philosophy and development path of EIT. Looking ahead, EIT will remain open in its academic endeavors and benchmark itself against the highest international standards. By strengthening its capacity for innovation and deepening global collaboration, it aims to accelerate its development into a world-class new-model research university with a growing international presence.
President Shiyi Chen (center) Meets with MUST President Jian-Kang Zhu (second from left)
President Jian-Kang Zhu of MUST, held a meeting with President Shiyi Chen of EIT. The two leaders had an in-depth discussion on advancing strategic cooperation, which was also attended by Professor Chuanwu Xi, Vice Provost for Global Engagement at EIT.
