Editor’s Note: On March 4, 2023, as one of the global events of UNESCO World Engineering Day for Sustainable Development, Engineering and Engineering Education — Monographs of Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE) Member ZHU Gaofeng and ICEE Book Series Publication Symposium took place at Tsinghua University. The symposium focused on the theme of the new book series of Engineering and Engineering Education by CAE member ZHU Gaofeng, SUN Yongfu, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) member GU Binglin, Prof. YU Shouwen, and ICEE. WU Qidi, former Vice Minister of MOE, China, Vice Chairperson and Director of ICEE, delivered a speech. The following are the key points of her speech.

Engineering and Engineering Education represents the crystallization of CAE member ZHU Gaofeng’ systematic research and thinking on major issues regarding engineering and engineering education, and makes fundamental and innovative contributions to the exploration of engineering development laws and theories as well as to the building of the theoretical framework of engineering education. Supported by CAE, CAE member SUN Yongfu, CAS member GU Binglin, Prof. YU Shouwen and other experts and scholars as well as the ICEE research team have published a series of works based on their consultation and research findings in recent years. These works delve into the development trend, problems and challenges of China’s engineering education and provide insightful and practical policy recommendations, which are of great importance to the reform, innovation and development of China’s engineering education.

At this symposium, in-depth exchanges and discussions on the current situation, challenges and future development direction of engineering and engineering education were conducted. We profoundly realize that China’s engineering and engineering education will face even more challenges and opportunities amid the rapid scientific and technological revolution, economic development and transformation and increasing international competition. Joint efforts from all walks of life are required to build a great modern country and achieve the innovative development of China’s engineering and engineering education.

We need to continuously strengthen our investment in and support for engineering and engineering education so as to prepare essential policies and resources for engineering talent cultivation. We should adhere to the opening up principle in education, strengthen international cooperation and exchanges, carry out international accreditation of engineering education, and promote international mutual recognition of engineer qualifications. Meanwhile, we should also take China's national conditions into consideration, improve our ability to cultivate engineering, scientific and technological talents through our own efforts, and actively explore reforms in education and teaching, as well as innovative talent cultivation models, so as to nurture outstanding engineering talents with entrepreneurship and interdisciplinary competence.

We need to strengthen the collaboration among different players such as schools, governments, and businesses to provide better support and assistance for the training and development of engineering talents. We also need to vigorously promote engineering culture, carry forward craftsmanship spirit, and respect labor, knowledge, talents as well as creativity so as to inject powerful impetus into the building of a great country in terms of science and technology, manufacturing and talents.

Under the leadership of CAE and Tsinghua University, and by collaborating with associate organizations, ICEE will continue to conduct strategic consultation and research on engineering education and seek theoretical and practical innovation in this regard to play its due part in building a great engineering education country.

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