From August 17 to 21, 2026, a delegation of faculty and students from the School of Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, led by Prof. Wang Wei, Vice Dean of the School of Environment, and Associate Prof. Bao Xian, conducted an international academic visit to Singapore. The mission mainly included the exchange visit of the School's Excellent Doctoral Student delegation, the undergraduate “Global Navigation · International Horizon Enhancement Program” visit, the expansion of cooperation resources with Singapore's world-class universities, and the advancement of overseas talent recruitment. The delegation successively visited the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the National University of Singapore, the School of Materials Science and Engineering at Nanyang Technological University, the Quantum Science and Technology Laboratory at Nanyang Technological University, and the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute. Centering on membrane separation, water treatment, environmental pollutant control, wearable electronic sensing, and intelligent monitoring and detection, the delegation conducted academic presentations, laboratory visits, research platform investigations, and talent exchange activities, further strengthening communication and ties with Singapore's universities and research institutions.
The Delegation Conducts an International Academic Visit in Singapore
Visiting the National University of Singapore for Academic Exchange on Frontiers in Environment and Water Treatment
During the visit, the delegation's first stop was the National University of Singapore, where it held exchanges with Prof. Zhang Sui and Prof. He Jianzhong. The two professors delivered special presentations on their respective research directions, including water treatment, resource utilization, and environmental microbial technology, introducing the research foundations, technical approaches, and latest progress of their research teams. Closely aligned with frontier issues in the environmental field, the presentations provided an important reference for the delegation's faculty and students to understand international research trends and broaden their research perspectives.
During the seminar and discussion session, the two sides held in-depth discussions on topics including water treatment and resource recovery, pollutant removal, membrane technology applications, and young talent cultivation. Faculty and students of the delegation engaged in full exchanges with the two professors based on their own research directions, and discussed issues such as research topic selection, experimental methods, and international collaboration. The academic atmosphere on site was lively.
Academic Presentations and Exchange Session at the National University of Singapore
Exploring the Research Platforms of Nanyang Technological University and Experiencing the Vitality of Interdisciplinary Innovation
The delegation visited the laboratory of Academician Chen Xiaodong's research group at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. Doctoral students from the research group provided the delegation with a detailed introduction to the laboratory's development, research platforms, and primary research directions, and guided the faculty and students on a tour of the experimental equipment and facilities. Members of the delegation engaged in on-site exchanges on topics including materials design, interface regulation, brain-computer interface development, plant electrical sensing, environmental applications, and research platform management, gaining an in-depth understanding of Nanyang Technological University's practical experience in interdisciplinary research and technology transfer.
During the laboratory visit, members of the Excellent Doctoral Student delegation and undergraduate students gained first-hand experience of the organizational approach and research atmosphere of an international research team, and further recognized that solving environmental problems requires the synergy of multiple disciplines including materials science, chemistry, biology, engineering, and data science. Drawing on their personal research interests, they actively raised questions and exchanged views with members of the research group on topics such as research training, graduate education, and international collaboration.
Visiting the Laboratory of Prof. Chen Xiaodong's Research Group at Nanyang Technological University
Visiting the Centre for Quantum Science and Engineering to Broaden Interdisciplinary International Horizons
During the visit to Nanyang Technological University, Prof. Wang Wei also visited the Centre for Quantum Science and Engineering and held exchanges with Prof. Gao Weibo, Dean of the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering. The two sides exchanged views on the development trends of quantum science and engineering, organizational models for interdisciplinary research, young talent cultivation, and international collaboration, and explored potential space for cooperation between environmental disciplines and emerging interdisciplinary fields, continuously enhancing the capacity of environmental disciplines to serve national strategic needs and international scientific and technological development.
Visiting the Centre for Quantum Science and Engineering at Nanyang Technological University
Visiting the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute to Deepen Collaboration on Membrane Technology and Water Treatment
The delegation also visited the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute (NEWRI). Academician Wang Rong, Executive Director of the Institute, first introduced the development, research layout, and platform development of Nanyang Technological University and the Institute. Subsequently, Dr. She Qianhong provided a detailed introduction on topics including pollutant degradation, and led the delegation on a tour of relevant laboratories and research platforms.
Through the visit to the Institute, the delegation gained an in-depth understanding of the research progress and platform operation models of Singapore's university research institutions in areas such as water environment management, membrane separation, pollutant control, and technology transfer. The two sides exchanged views on topics including high-salinity wastewater treatment, membrane technology applications, and advanced oxidation and pollutant degradation, laying a sound foundation for further advancing research collaboration, personnel exchanges, and the internationalized training of graduate students.
Exchange Session at the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute
Introducing HIT's Talent Policies to Young Overseas Talent
During the visit to Singapore, Prof. Wang Wei held a symposium with young talent — including PhD students and postdoctoral researchers — studying and working in Singapore. He introduced the development positioning and disciplinary strengths of Harbin Institute of Technology and the progress of the School of Environment, with a focus on presenting the talent recruitment policies, research support conditions, and development platforms of both the university and the School. Prof. Wang Wei sincerely invited outstanding young overseas talent to follow HIT, learn about HIT, and join HIT, so as to achieve greater growth in serving major national strategic needs and advancing scientific and technological innovation in the field of ecological and environmental protection.
The symposium enhanced the understanding of HIT and the School among young overseas talent, and laid a foundation for the School to further expand its international talent recruitment channels and strengthen ties with overseas alumni and young scholars. Participating PhD graduates and postdoctoral researchers, drawing on their own research experience and career plans, exchanged views on the university's talent policies, research platform development, team building, and opportunities for returning to China. The on-site discussions were pragmatic and thorough.
Prof. Wang Wei Introduces HIT's Talent Policies to Young Overseas Talent
Enhancing Capacity Through International Exchange to Serve the High-Quality Development of Environmental Disciplines
This international academic visit to Singapore represents an important practice for the School of Environment in advancing the internationalized training of graduate students, expanding international research collaboration, and strengthening ties with overseas talent. Through visits to the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, and the Nanyang Environment and Water Research Institute, the delegation not only deepened its understanding of frontier developments in the international environmental and water treatment fields, but also gained new inspiration in research platform development, interdisciplinary innovation, talent cultivation, and technology transfer.
Delegation members stated that they would carefully review what they had seen, learned, and reflected upon during the visit, and translate the new concepts and methods gained through international exchange into concrete actions to enhance their research capabilities and innovation. They will further align their efforts with major national strategic needs such as ecological and environmental protection and water resource security, actively integrate into international academic networks, broaden their horizons and strengthen their competencies through open cooperation, and contribute their youthful vigor to advancing the high-quality development of environmental disciplines.
Group Photo of the Delegation
