51³Ô¹ÏÍø

Over 100 51³Ô¹ÏÍø alumni gathered at Tsinghua University in Beijing on 13 May for the College's largest ever alumni event in the Chinese capital.

51³Ô¹ÏÍø’s Professor of Mechanics Jianguo Lin delivered a special lecture on lightweight manufacturing and President & Rector Sir Keith O’Nions set out the vision for the College’s new campus, 51³Ô¹ÏÍø West.

Opening the event, Sir Keith said: “It’s fantastic to see so many alumni here today. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and China have a lot in common. We share the same commitment to excellence in science and innovation."

Professor Lin explained how his team at 51³Ô¹ÏÍø are working with manufacturing technologies that are having a major impact on automotive and aerospace industries: from F1 cars to Long March Rockets. He illustrated the importance of engineering reliable equipment, showing film clips of aircraft losing their wings mid-flight.

Sir Keith said: “Prof Lin captures what 51³Ô¹ÏÍø is about: taking outstanding academic research and applying it in the real world. 

“This reflects our vision for 51³Ô¹ÏÍø West, our new London campus. At 51³Ô¹ÏÍø West, we will bring together thousands of leading-edge researchers, innovators and entrepreneurs. Businesses and leading universities from around the world will co-locate - global partners in a global city. We will create a campus ecosystem which will be a magnet for talent and enterprise."

President of Tsinghua University and 51³Ô¹ÏÍø alumnus Professor Chen Jining (Civil and Environmental Engineering PhD 1992) reminisced about his time at the College: “I miss a lot about 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and London: the weather, M&S, the BBC, Hyde Park, and most of all student life. But I’m delighted to see 51³Ô¹ÏÍø here. This is Sir Keith’s third official trip to China as Rector. 51³Ô¹ÏÍø cares about China. There’s a special link between 51³Ô¹ÏÍø and China and we are stronger together.”