Former Administrators

Xuanhuai Sheng, also known as Xingsun Sheng, was from Wujin, Jiangsu Province. In 1872, he participated in setting up Steamship Merchants Bureau and was promoted Director of the Bureau in 1885. From 1875 to 1896, he served successively as Superintendent of Mining in Hubei Province , Chief of Telegram Office, Director of Shanghai Huasheng Textile Complex, and Governor of Tianjin Customs. From 1895 to 1897, he was appointed the first Superintendent of Peiyang University.

Charles Daniel Tenny (1857-1930), born in Boston, Massachusetts, was a well-known American educator and diplomat. He received his Bachelor's Degree in Dartmouth University in 1878 and Masters' degree of Divinity at Oberlin University in 1879. He served as Vice Consul in American Consulate in Tianjin from 1886. In 1895, he was appointed the first General Supervisor, or Acting President, of Peiyang University in charge of all educational affairs. In line with Harvard education system, he established the four-year modern higher education system in Peiyang and in China. He started recruiting faculty all over the world, mostly from top American universities. In 1896, he served concurrently as Supervisor of a school in Peiyang preparing students to study in the United States. Thanks to his efforts, Peiyang graduates began to be admitted to the graduate schools of top American universities like Harvard, Cornell, etc. without examination from 1901. He also founded a four-year Junior College attached to Peiyang University to prepare applicants for Peiyang University, inaugurating public secondary school in China. In his years in Peiyang, he wrote many books, including English Grammar, Asian Geography, etc. In view of his great contribution to higher education, Dartmouth University granted him the title of Honorary Doctor of Laws in 1900. He went back to the United States in 1920 and retired the next year. In 1930, he died in California at the age of 73.

Weilu Ding (1871-1954), also known as Kuiye Ding, held official positions in Qing Dynasty, in charge of school affairs of Zhili (now Hebei Province), and later served as Superintendent of Peiyang University from February 1905 to January 1906 . He wrote many books, such as Introduction to Japanese Education, New World Geography, On Medical Research, Kuiye Poetry, etc.

Rukai Cai, also known as Zhigeng Cai, was from Nanchang, Jiangxi Province. He worked as Superintendent of Peiyang University from 1906 to December 1911 and was then promoted Head of Department of Education of Zhili (now Hebei Province ). Since February 1913, he served as President of Peiyang University concurrently until taking the post of Chief of the Ministry of Education on February 25 th 1914. During his presidency, Peiyang University was renamed National Peiyang University.

Deyuan Xu, also known as Runwu Xu, was from Qingyuan, Hebei Province. He taught Chinese in Peiyang University in 1906 and was promoted Superintendent in December 1911. He was appointed President of Peiyang University on February 18, 1912 and served till March 19, 1913. Xu was the first President of Peiyang University after the 1911 Revolution.

Tianlin Zhao, also known as Junda Zhao, was born on July 16, 1886 in Tianjin. In 1906, he was selected to study Laws in the United States among the first group of Peiyang graduates to study abroad. He graduated from Harvard University with Doctoral Degree in Laws and was awarded a Harvard Golden Key. Since 1912, he taught Laws and Chrematistics in Peiyang University. On March 13, 1914, he was appointed President of National Peiyang University and served six years until January 1920.

Xiyun Feng was born in 1885 in Tianjin. In 1905, he was enrolled in the Department of Laws of Peiyang University and was selected to study in the United States in 1907. He graduated from Harvard University with Bachelor's Degree in Laws. Later, he entered the Graduate School of Chicago University, where he received Doctoral Degree in Laws with outstanding achievements. In 1912, he returned to China and worked as Professor of Laws in Peiyang University. In January 1920, he was appointed President of Peiyang University and served until August 1924.

Xianzhou Liu, educator, was from Wan County, Zhili (now Hebei Province ). He joined in the Chinese Revolutionary League in 1908 and took part in activities of 1911 Revolution in Baoding. He graduated from Department of Mechanical Engineering of Hong Kong University in 1918. He served as Professor and President of Peiyang University and later Professor and Head of the Department of Mechanics in Northeast University in China. Since 1932, he subsequently took posts of Professor and Vice-President of Tsinghua University and Standing Member of Scientific Committee of Chinese Academy of Sciences. He joined in the Communist Party of China in 1955 and was elected representative of National People's Congress in the first four consecutive terms. He was committed to the research on the history of inventions on Engineering in China and wrote books of History of Inventions on Mechanical Engineering in China (first section) and Inventions on Agricultural Machinery in Ancient China, Mechanics, Theory of Machines and Mechanisms, Thermal Engines, etc . He served as President of Peiyang University from 1924 to 1928.

Yisheng Mao, also known as Tangchen Mao, was born in 1896 in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province. He graduated from Tangshan Technical School in 1916 and won government scholarship to study further in United States. He got Master's Degree in Civil Engineering in Cornell University in 1917 and Doctoral Degree in Engineering in Carnegie Institute of Technology in 1921. After he returned to China in 1921, he served successively as Professor and Head of Engineering School in Tangshan Jiaotong University, Nanjing Southeast University, and President of Hehai Technical University. In 1920 he began to teach at Peiyang University. From the summer of 1927, he began to teach Bridge Mechanics, Structural Engineering, etc. as a professor. At the same time of teaching for more than 20 hours per week, he was committed to scientific research and reform in teaching method.In 1937, the first modern bridge in China, Qian Tang Jiang Bridge, was successfully built under his leadership of designing and construction.He served two terms as the President of Peiyang University from July 1928 to June 1930 and later from May 1946 to August 1948.

Yuanze Cai, from Deqing, Zhejiang Province, was President of National Peiyang Technical Institute from 1930 to 1932.

Shutian Li, also known as Gengyan Li, was born in 1900 in Changli, Hebei Province. He entered the Junior College of Peiyang University in 1917 and was enrolled in the Department of Civil Engineering in 1919. In 1923, he graduated with the highest academic distinction and got Bachelor's Degree in Engineering. In the same year, he won the financial support from Tsinghua University and went to study in the Graduate School of Cornell University, where he got Doctoral Degree. In 1927, he was invited to be Professor of Civil Engineering in Peiyang University. On September 13, 1932, he was appointed Succedaneous President of National Peiyang Institute of Technology, later President in September 1934, and served until 1939.

Lian Lai, also known as Jinghu Lai, was born in 1900 in Yong'an, Fujian Province. He graduated from Yali Junior College in 1919 and went to Illinois University in the United States for further study in Mechanical Engineering in the same year. After his graduation in 1924, he was employed in Ford Motor Company in Detroit, Michigan, responsible for research on manufacturing of automobiles and industrial management. Then he went to Canada to take the courses of Political Economy in the University of Toronto. In 1925, he went back to America and entered the Graduate School of Cornell University. Since 1932, he served as officials in Nanjing and Lianyungang. From February 1939 to October 1943, he served as President of Peiyang University.

Chengxiao Pan was enrolled in the Department of Mechanics of Tangshan College of Railways and Mines in 1915 and went to the United States for further study in 1922. He studied in Cornell University and University of Wisconsin successively and received Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering. He returned to China in January 1927 and taught in Shenyang Fengyong University and Northeast University. After the 9.18 Incident in 1931, he served as Professor and Dean of Department of Mechanics in the School of Engineering in Peking University. When the Anti-Japanese War broke out, he went to Shanxi Province and continued to hold the posts of Professor and Dean of the School of Engineering in Temporary University and United University, and later Professor and President of Northwest College of Technology. In October 1948, he worked as Professor of Mechanics in Peiyang University. He served consecutively as Professor, Provost of Tianjin University and President of Hebei Technical Institute after 1949.

Jinmin Chen (1895-1981), also known as Hongxun Chen, from Chengguan, Tiantai, was a famous mathematician and educator at his time. He graduated from Tiantai High School in 1915 and entered Department of Mathematics in Beijing Normal College (presently Beijing Normal University ) in 1916. In 1921, Chen went to Lyon, France for further study at Sino-French University. In 1939, he served as Professor and later Provost and Dean of School of Engineering in Ying-shi University. Since 1943, he served successively as President of Peiyang Institute of Technology, Dean of the School of Sciences of Peiyang University and Dean of Peking Section of Peiyang University. When the P.R.China was just founded, Chen was appointed Chair of Temporary Administrative Council of Peiyang University. Chen was devoted to education and academic research all his life. He educated a large number of talents who have been of great influence in academic and engineering circles. In addition, he wrote hundreds of books on mathematics and over 80 academic papers, with Noneuclidean Geometry, Advanced Mathematics Course (three volumes) and Foundations of Advanced Mathematics (two volumes) as magnum opus. On March 7, 1981, Chen died in Beijing .

Hanying Zhang, also known as Huafu Zhang, was born in 1900 in Heze , Shandong Province. He studied in the Department of Civil Engineering of Peiyang University in 1918 and later in the Department of Physics of Peking University . He went to America to study Civil Engineering in 1921 and received his Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering at Illinois University in 1924. He got his Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from Cornell University in 1925. After returning to China , he served successively as Professor of Qingdao University, Director of the Bureau of Canal Project in Shandong Province , and Professor of Peiyang Institute of Technology. From 1933 to 1936, he held the posts as Member, Secretary General, and Chief Engineer of North China Water Conservancy Committee. During the Anti-Japanese War, he was appointed Chief of Yellow River Water Conservancy Committee, Deputy Director of Water Conservancy Department of National Economic Committee and Deputy Chief of Yangtze River Water Conservancy Committee. From 1948 to 1949, he served as President of Peiyang University.

Xiying Liu (1894-1966), famous educator and expert in Electrical Machinery in China , was born in Luan Zhou, Zhili (now Luan County , Hebei Province). After graduation from Peiyang University in 1917, he first entered the Electrical Engineering Department of M.I.T., and then the Graduate School of Harvard University and received Master's Degree in Electrical Machinery in 1925. In the same year, he returned to China . Liu Xiying worked successively as professor of Hebei Technical College , Northeast University , and Northwest Technical College , and professor and Dean of Electrical Engineering Department of Peiyang University. After the founding of P.R.C, he took the posts of professor and Chairman of Administration Council of Peiyang University, Vice-President and President of Tianjin University, member of Central Standing Committee of September Third Society , Chairman of Tianjin Municipal Committee of the CPC, Vice Chairman of the 1st to 4th Tianjin People's Political Consultative Conference, and the member of the 2nd to 4th CPPCC. LIU served President of Peiyang University ( Tianjin University ) from 1949 to 1952.

De Wu (1913-1995), was born in Fengrun , Hebei Province. He dedicated himself to Chinese revolutionary activities since 1932 and joined the CPC in 1933. From 1933 to 1937, he was engaged in the labor movement of the Party, holding many important positions locally and nationally. He assumed the Deputy Minister of Fuel Industry after 1949. He acted as Secretary of Pingyuan Provincial Committee of CPC in 1950 and Deputy Secretary of Tianjin Municipal Committee of CPC from 1952 to 1955. He assumed presidency in Tianjin University from 1952 to 1957.

Guofan Zhang, famous educator, dynamicist and physicist, was born in Anlu County , Hubei Province in 1905. He had inimitable opinion about Molecular Physics, Atomic Physics and Turbulent Flow Theory. He was a pioneer in developing Chinese higher education, especially the engineering institutions. He was also one of the initiators of Chinese Science Operators Association. He was the President of Tianjin University from 1957 to 1966.

Boping Zang was born in Tang County, Zhili (now Hebei Province). He graduated from Peking Republic University and joined the CPC in 1931. He held many important posts locally and nationally in CPC. After the founding of PRC, he served successively as the Mayor of Shijiazhuang, Deputy Party Secretary of Beijing Aeronautical Institute, Party Secretary and President of Nankai University, Party Secretary and President of Tianjin University, Vice Minister of Ministry of Education. He assumed presidency in Tianjin University from 1977 to 1978.

Shusen Li (1953-1998) was a famous educator in modern China . He was Vice-President, President and Honorary President of Tianjin University from 1978 to1982. With his strategic vision and outstanding achievements in university running, he won high reputation in the educational circles at home and abroad.Many State and Party leaders sang highly on the Anthology of Li Shusen , which is the record of achievements of Li Shusen, and is of great value to the current and future research and practice in the area of education.

Shaoxi Shi was born in Yixing County, Jiangsu Province in 1916. He graduated from Mechanical Engineering Department of Peiyang Technical College in 1939. He got government scholarship to study in UK in 1945. In 1949, he received his PhD from Manchester University. When he worked in the Swansea Institute of the University of Wales as a researcher, he was engaged in research on internal-combustion engine. He returned to China in 1951 and held a series of important posts in Tianjin University as the Head of Machinery Department, the Director of Internal-Combustion Engine Research Institute, Vice President and President. In addition, his academic and professional titles include Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences, member of the Degree Committee of State Council, member of the Science and Technology Committee of National Education Committee, Director of Chinese Academy of Internal-Combustion Engine, Vice Director of Chinese Academy of Thermal Science and Engineering, and Honorary Chairman of Tianjin Science and Technology Association, etc. He was President of Tianjin University from 1982 to 1986.

Yongshi Wu was born in Anqing City , Anhui Province. He served as President of Tianjin University from 1986 to 1993.

Guangquan Li was born in 1936. He graduated from Tianjin University in 1958 and stayed in Colorado State University and the University of Maryland as a visiting scholar from 1981 to 1983. He was engaged in the research on the decentralized control for large-scale systems. He became professor in system-engineering in the year 1985. He was in charge of many research projects funded by National Science Foundation of China and compiled several textbooks and academic monographs. He published more than 60 papers about the theory and application large-scale systems. Prof. Li served as President of Tianjin University from 1993 to 1997.

In June 1997, Professor Ping Shan was appointed President of Tianjin University, and Chairman of Academic Committee and Degree Committee of the University. Prior to that he worked as Deputy Director of Welding Engineering Division, Deputy Dean of Mechanical Department, Vice Provost, Provost, and Vice President of the University. Professor Ping Shan is also the Director of IIW (International Institution of Welding) Board of Directors, Executive Director of Mechanical Engineering Society and Vice-President of Welding Society in China . He was elected as Member of the 9 th and 10 th People's Congress of China and is currently Member of the Standing Committee of Tianjin People's Congress.

Professor Ping Shan's pioneer work on the research of the relationship between crack opening displacement and strain by using wide plate tests provides a theoretical basis for the safety assessment of welding vessels. This result has been adopted by the National Standard of Pressure Vessel Safety Assessment. In the late 1980s, he was in charge of the project of designing and manufacturing the pulsed flash butt welding machine for gas pipelines, which was first-ever made in China . Due to the needs of electricity-powered automobiles, his current emphasis is moving onto the study of mechanism and process control of aluminum alloy spot welding, which is funded by National Natural Science Foundation and Ministry of Education and has made phase achievements.

Professor Ping Shan got the 1st and 2nd Awards of the Excellent Scientific Research Achievement from the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Machinery Industry respectively and published over 40 papers in academic journals at home and abroad.

Ke Gong, having obtained his Bachelor degree from Beijing Institute of Technology in 1982, studied further in the Technical University Graz (Austria), and obtained Doctor Degree of Technological Science there in 1986. He started his academic career in Tsinghua University in 1987, and headed the Department of Electronic Engineering (1997), the Chinese National Key Laboratory on Microwave & Digital Communications (1998) and Tsinghua Aerospace Technology Research Center (1998). He became a full professor in 1994, and then the Vice President of Tsinghua University (1999). After being elected as the Dean of the School of Information (2004), he became the Director of Tsinghua National Laboratory for Information Science and Technology (2005). His research area covers wireless communications and radio wave propagation. He has published more than 100 papers and received prestigious Fellowships from Russian Academy of Aerospace Sciences (2002) and British Royal Academy of Engineering (2009). Major academic awards to him include the second Scientific Development Award for National Defense (2004), the 2nd prize of National Technical Invention Award (2005) and the Pan Wen Yuan Award for Outstanding Research (2006).

Currently apart from his administrative responsibilities, he still holds academic appointments as Vice President of Chinese Institute of Electronics, Vice President of Chinese Institute of Communications, and Member of the Standing Committee of China Association for Science and Technology. In 2009, he was newly elected as Vice President of World Federation of Engineering Organizations (WFEO) and the Chair of its Committee on Information and Communication.